The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is claimed to offer the best pure EV (electric vehicle) range of any of its competitors, the lowest emissions of any all-wheel-drive vehicle (and amongst the lowest-emitting vehicle of its plug-in hybrid competitors) and is the only 4×4 vehicle to utilise electric power to drive both front and rear wheels for superior traction both on and off the road.
It is also claimed to be the only plug-in hybrid to offer rapid charging (up to 80 percent 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 2017 Outlander PHEV has arrived with a further evolution in technology, safety and dynamic performance.
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 car, as well as the brake auto hold button function which, when activated, holds the vehicle in traffic or on an incline the same way a handbrake would, allowing the driver to release the footbrake.
Across all variants, the 2017 Outlander PHEV powertrain and chassis have been revised, with new dampers and rear suspension bushes, making it quieter and more refined to drive than ever.
Rapid charging has also been improved, reducing its charging time to 80 percent from 30 minutes to approximately 25 minutes, and its pure electric range is increased to 53 kilometres, up from 51 kilometres.
The 2017 Outlander PHEV 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 58.7km per litre – a 6.4 percent improvement 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, with the drive battery output improved by 10 percent.
The car’s 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-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.
The 2017 Outlander PHEV remains 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 high-output motor to deliver acceleration even more powerful than a 3-litre petrol engine, while maintaining an incredibly responsive 4WD performance. 
Check out Porsche’s new Panamera “PHEV”.
