The Wonder of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Back when the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was thought to never make it to the states, always rumored but never true, we wrote a little about the wonders of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV system and what makes it so great. Now that the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV really did come to America, we thought it was time to do a little review about the PHEV system and what it offers this plug-in hybrid crossover.
Specs
Being a plug-in hybrid, like any hybrid, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The former is a 2.0-liter MIVEC DOHC 4-cylinder engine. Made with Mitsubishi Motors Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) system and the Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) design, the engine has been optimized for performance. This engine can generate up to 117 horsepower and 137 lb-ft of torque.
On the other end are two electric motors, or a twin-AC synchronous permanent magnetic motor that is powered by a 12.0 kWh lithium-ion battery. There is an electric motor in the front and onde in the rear. The front electric motor has a power output of 60kW, or about 80 horsepower, and a major torque output of 137 Nm, or about 101 lb-ft of torque. In the rear, the motor has the same power output, but generates 195 Nm, or about 143 lb-ft of torque.
Driving
There are three styles of driving for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, as well as three drive modes the driver may choose. The mode most consumers may use would probably be “Parallel Hybrid”, where both, the engine and electric motor are powering the vehicle, but the engine also charges the battery. When driving like this, consumers can also choose the “Save” driving mode to toggle how much regenerative braking recharges the battery.
“Series Hybrid” may also be a favorite for those who drive in the city, relying on the electric motor to do the work until more power is needed, such as going on the highway. If only driving in the city at this time, a consumer may wish to purely drive on electricity with “EV” mode. When switching over to the gasoline engine, to replenish the energy used, the driver can then choose the “Charge” mode to only use the gasoline engine to drive and recharge the battery while doing so.
Together, this powertrain offers the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 74 MPGe, or the equivalent of miles measured by the amount of energy consumed. If one were to choose to drive on electricity only, they can get, at the very least, 22 miles before needing to switch over to the gasoline engine. If driving in “Parallel Hybrid”, the total driving range has measured out to 310 miles.
Charging
When it comes to charging up the battery, consumers have three choices. The standard method would be Level 1, or plugging into a 120-volt outlet, the same as a home appliance – by plugging into an outlet in the garage, a consumer can recharge the battery in eight hours overnight. Level 2 charging is for drivers who plan to spend some time at their current location while away from home – 240-volt charging stations can charge a vehicle in four hours, and consumers can even get a 240-volt charging station installed into their home for the same convenience. Lastly, for those on-the-go, consumers will want to use Fast Charge via a CHAdeMO charging station for 80-percent in 25 minutes or less.
These are just all the good things about the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV based on its namesake. You can learn more about it by clicking the link above, or by stopping by University Mitsubishi to test drive a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for yourself. Find out what you’re missing by not driving a plug-in hybrid crossover.
