Mitsubishi, Outlander plug-in tested on the ice of the North Pole. And the announcement to return to Europe

KUUSAMO – Mitsubishi Europe’s journey begins again from the Arctic Circle where during the Winter Park event, the Tokyo manufacturer announced the return of the Outlander SUV to the roads of the Old Continent. Proof in the monochromatic landscape of Lapland Finland, it also considered the efficiency of the special four-wheel drive system in the steering with a hybrid drive that can be charged in zero mode.

Short driving tests were conducted on the frozen lake of the Juna Kankkunen Ice Driving Academy (founded by the four-time world champion driver of the same name) and the tireless option of the Eclipse Cross and Outlander further reduced the poor grip on frozen water, even thus, allowing participants to understand how the (seven) different driving modes of the Sport organization react differently to the intervention of the S-Awc all-wheel drive.

Abbreviation of all wheel control, the four-wheel drive system represents the evolution of Mitsubishi’s proven technology which, along with other technical-aesthetic factors, contributed to placing the Lancer Evolution in the legendary register. Here

If the Lappish event celebrated the combination of snow and motor between pendulum, moose maneuvers and sled rides, the long trip to Northern Scandinavia also highlighted Mitsubishi’s strategies for the coming years. Starting with the important return to Europe of the Outlander Phev (the SUV will arrive in Italy at the end of the year imported by Koelliker at a price between 45-50,000 euros) and from the industrial partnership with Nissan and Renault, the Japanese company has explained. how the pillars of the next phases of development are electrification, an emphasis on the historical characteristics of the brand such as durability and reliability, and a greater focus on comfort. All-wheel drive in the service of battery-powered engines is another cornerstone of the industrial program where the next step is set for 2025 with the introduction of the fully electric C-SUV.

In the imagination, Mitsubishi is often associated with rally cars or solid models designed for hard and clean roads, but in fact, the Tokyo manufacturer also has a long-sighted tradition in the EV sector. The first electric-powered model was the Minica of 1971, followed by the Hev, Fto Ev, Miev Evolution models and then the I-Miev which, launched in 2009, was one of the first electric city cars under mass production.

With more recent models including the restyled Outlander Phev, Mitsubishi has chosen to follow the full (less traveled) path of plug-in hybrids in Europe, relying on the development of twin-engine technology. The propulsion system used in the Outlander – a car that has made satisfactory progress in terms of quality in the large cabin – is made up of a naturally aspirated 2.4L petrol engine with 131 HP, supported by two electric motors of 114 and 134 HP. , located respectively on the front and rear axles. According to approval data, a 20 kW battery should ensure approximately 80 km of EV travel. The plug-in hybrid configuration also allows the combustion engine to act as a generator for the electric units, or simply push the front end in contexts such as highways where moving on battery power would be less efficient.