Mitsubishi Motors Reveals the 2025 Outlander PHEV Overseas

Back in 2023, Mitsubishi Motors revealed the return of the Mitsubishi Colt with a hybrid option for Europe. A rebadge of the Renault Clio Hybrid, this was the response from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance to keep the Japanese automaker alive in European market. Ready to leave and pull all models from the market due to the increased limits on carbon dioxide emissions set by the European Union (EU), Mitsubishi Motors was drowning. Like many other automakers who didn’t have many electrified options to tip the scale, Mitsubishi only has the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid to offset its CO2 emissions. Now with a new 2025 model year, the automaker hopes to slide past the EU one last time.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is making its debut in Madrid, Spain before the automaker re-introduces the model to Europe. It’s not very clear why, as no real changes seem to have been made to the plug-in hybrid SUV since it left the European market. The specs and powertrain are still relatively the same to the US specs of the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Powered by a 2.4-liter inline-four-cylinder engine optimized with Mitsubishi Motors MIVEC timing system and a 20 kwH lithium-ion battery powering a twin motor system, the combined output is 244 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. That extra torque comes from the twin motor system, able to generate 188 lb-ft of torque from the front motor and 143 lb-ft of torque from the rear.

For the European specs, this number changes by a large amount. The new quote for the torque is a combined output of 332 lb-ft of torque. We’re not sure what change that will make in terms of performance – no one is racing the Outlander PHEV – and although all-wheel drive has been made available in some markets, there are better options for trekking than the Outlander plug-in hybrid. We can only suspect that this change in the powertrain has been made to keep the Outlander PHEV practical while also meeting the demands of the EU. Set for the 2025 model year, this might be the last time Mitsubishi Motors tries to push the Outlander PHEV before moving on to greener pastures.

Mitsubishi Motors needs to start producing more electrified options if it wants to survive, and according to the automaker’s “Momentum 2030” business plan, we’ll be the first to see those new models. Momentum 2030 is all about Mitsubishi North America and expanding the North American lineup with new and renewed models. During the press release, a lot of old concepts popped up, such as the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer and  Mitsubishi e-Evolution concept, both electrified models. Ever since Mitsubishi invested in the Ampere battery-electric vehicle facility, a new medium-sized electric SUV for Mitsubishi Motors was announced, and Mitsubishi and Nissan are developing a new BEV for the automaker as well. There’s even talk of a new pickup truck for the North American lineup, finally diversifying the automaker’s lineup, consisting of only SUVs.

This might be the last year the Outlander PHEV is available before the North American lineup changes altogether. If you’re still wary about BEVs and prefer the multi-power option of a plug-in hybrid, look for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at University Mitsubishi.

Photo Source/Copyright: Mitsubishi Motors