| Motors
Further evolution for the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander
Quality , design and technological innovation , all with a very attractive price tag .
T he Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the UK ’ s best-selling Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle . At its introduction in 2014 it effectively created the ultra-low emission vehicle segment , notching up 10,000 sales in the UK within the first ten months and amassing a total sales figure of 26,600 by the end of 2016 . The vehicle is derived from the third generation of the Mitsubishi Outlander ( which pioneered the ‘ cross-over ’ vehicle design concept with the Mitsubishi Airtrek in 2001 and has sold 1.5 million units globally since launch ) but was developed from the ground up to be driven by either an internal combustion engine or hybrid technology and as a result there are no compromises in terms of packaging , practicality or drving dynamics .
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV offers the best pure EV range of any of its competitors , has the lowest emissions of any all-wheel drive vehicle ( and remains amongst the lowestemitting vehicle of its plug-in hybrid competitors ) and is the only AWD vehicle to utilise electric power to drive both front and rear wheels for superior traction both on and off the road . It is also the only plug-in hybrid to offer rapid charging ( up to 80 % in approximately 25 minutes ) and adjustable regenerative braking , which is controlled via the steering wheel paddles to further enhance the driving experience .
Extensively revised in 2016 , the vehicle continues to take the automotive world by storm and now the new Outlander PHEV has arrived , representing another evolution in technology , safety and dynamic performance . The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is in showrooms now with prices starting from £ 34,749 ( excluding the £ 2,500 Plug-in Car Grant ) WHAT ’ S NEW ? EV PRIORITY MODE
For 2017 Mitsubishi introduces a new EV Priority Mode across all variants . The new EV switch is located below the 4WD button and once activated , it allows the driver to operate the vehicle in EV mode without the engine starting , provided there is sufficient charge in the batteries . An electronic parking brake is also new to the 2017 Outlander PHEV , as well as the brake auto hold button function which , when activated , holds the vehicle in traffic or on an include the same way a handbrake would , allowing the driver to release the footbrake . TECHNICAL UPDATES
Across all variants , the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV powertrain and chassis has been revised , with new dampers and rear suspension bushes , making it a quieter and more refined to drive than ever . Rapid charging has also been improved , reducing its charging time to 80 % from 30 minutes to approximately 25 minutes , and its pure electric range is increased to 33 miles , up from 32 miles . It also delivers more performance with improved acceleration in EV mode compared to its predecessor . CO2 emissions have also been lowered by 1g / km to 41g / km , with an average weighted fuel consumption of 166 mpg – a 6.4 % increase versus the previous version . Regenerative braking technology , which works to put lost energy back into the battery when slowing down and which can adjusted while driving using the steering wheel paddles , has also been upgraded and in addition , the drive battery output has been improved by 10 %. Safety features have also been further developed and improved on the 2017 model . Forward Collision Mitigation technology , standard on the Mitsubishi Outlander 4hs and 5hs versions , now features Pedestrian Detection for added safety , while Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert have both been introduced on the 4h variant to assist the driver when reversing out of a space . For example , if traffic is coming from the right , the icon located on the right-hand mirror will light up , accompanied by an audio alert .
Another colour has been added to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV colour palette in the form of Cool Silver . A shark-fin antenna is now incorporated in the roof line and there is a secure charge-point cover linked to the central locking . For a more refined exterior look , the vehicle also features silver roof rails , as well as clean chrome accents on the sills .
Inside , the new Electronic Parking Brake and auto-hold button are located to the right of the 4WD and the new EV Priority Mode switches on the centre console . The console , and other key surfaces , have been finished with a black ash design and chrome accents and , as before , it is extremely well finished with soft-touch switches and ambient lighting flooding the floor area and centre console box . A four-spoke heated steering wheel , with a thick high-grip rim , fine leather trim and multiple control switches , completes the upmarket cabin feel . THE DRIVE
Its low centre of gravity and excellent weight distribution make for exceptional driving dynamics , further enhanced with suspension updates for 2017 . The Outlander PHEV offers an ultra-smooth driving experience , with a 2.0- litre petrol engine and a seamless transition between three driving modes ( EV , series hybrid , parallel hybrid ), which combine to deliver optimum performance regardless of driving conditions . 4WD
Outlander PHEV is unique in offering adaptive four-wheel drive with twin electric motors driving the wheels . The front and rear axles are each equipped with their own highoutput motor to deliver acceleration even more powerful than a 3.0-litre petrol engine , while maintaining an incredibly responsive 4WD performance .
62 | Farming Monthly | February 2017 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk