Mitsubishi Motors North America Brings Back Some Old Concepts for Momentum 2030

When Mitsubishi Motors announced the “Momentum 2030” business plan for North America, it was pretty exciting. Finally, the North American lineup is getting some love. After the automaker discontinued the Mitsubishi Mirage, we were worried we were going to have to watch the Outlander PHEV slowly die out with the rest of the lineup. Seriously, we don’t need another next-generation of the Outlander SUV. Instead, Mitsubishi brought back a number of concepts we lost were lost. Here is a look at what we have to look forward to.

The Concepts We Know

In the list of concepts mentioned, there were some we’ve known for a long time, and some we never even heard of. Namely, the Engelberg Tourer (seen above) was a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that was supposed to replace the Outlander PHEV. An Eclipse Cross PHEV was also supposed to replace it, but it didn’t seem to make the cut for Momentum 2030. Originally appearing during the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer can provide an all-electric range (AER) of 43 miles, and a total range of 434 miles.

Also making a return appearance was the e-Evolution concept. Many consumers miss the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Lancer Evolution, along with the Mitsubishi rally car days. The e-Evolution is supposed to be the solution for that, bringing back the “Evolution” nameplate. Mitsubishi claims this crossover will be the proof that a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) can also provide high-performance. Is it a return to its rally car roots? We’re not sure, but the e-Evolution was a futuristic electric crossover, and one of the coolest concepts Mitsubishi ever revealed. Like the Engelberg Tourer, it quickly disappeared soon after its initial debut. Here’s hoping it comes back for real and lands in North America.

The eX concept is another cool concept Mitsubishi revealed for a short time. A compact SUV, it came with two compact, high-output motors able to deliver 70 kW of power. Equipped with an early version of car connected services, the eX concept had an artificial intelligence system that could present the driver with information on local events, recommend points of interest based on their search history (connected to one’s smartphone), and more. We already have Google recommending things based on what we watch and what smart speakers hear, so maybe this one is a little too invasive.

An Electric Future

Also joining the scene are various plug-in hybrid and all-electric models. The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance is working on new BEV platforms for future models, and the next-generation BEV powertrain could pop up on several new concepts. A PHEV, the GC-PHEV will introduce a highly efficient EV powertrain made to handle going off-road. Similarly, a sport utility truck concept called the GR-HEV is a hybrid vehicle that comes equipped with equipped with Mitsubishi Motors’ Super All-Wheel Control System (S-AWC) system and next-gen Super Select 4WD to provide more torque and traction on various terrains. Maybe this is the pickup truck Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors are collaborating on.

The Mitsubishi electric i-MiEV had a short lifespan in America, but Momentum 2030 might just bring it back in spades. Known as the CA-MiEV and the MiEV Evolution II, both concepts are said to be a callback to the racing days of Mitsubishi, with the latter looking like a rally car. Both are designed with performance and control in mind, and we’re eager to see what Mitsubishi Motors can do with the Evolution nameplate and an electric powertrain.

Lastly, concept AR showed up. Called Mitsubishi Motors’ attempt at a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the AR concept offers active safety technology, next-gen infotainment systems, connected car services, and a roomy interior cabin. Another futuristic concept by Mitsubishi, we know its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric is cooking up plenty of interesting tech for the automotive side of things. Maybe 2025 will finally be the year we start to see some of that tech in the Mitsubishi Motors lineup in America.

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Photo Source/Copyright: Mitsubishi Media