Mitsubishi Concept: Drivers offered best of both worlds

Outdoorsy types can run appliances off the Concept's battery pack. Photo / Supplied

Mitsi's new hybrid is simple, clean and aerodynamic

This is the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II, the plug-in hybrid version of the next-generation Outlander, due in some markets in 2013.

A 2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is mounted up front and coupled to a pair of 60kW electric motors at the rear. The hybrid set-up drives all four wheels through the Lancer Evo's S-AWC traction system to deliver comparable power to a 3-litre V6 while offering improved emissions and fuel consumption figures.

In addition to the usual battery-only and internal combustion generator modes, the PX-MiEV II also enables outdoorsy types to run portable appliances off the vehicle's battery packs.

Mitsubishi claims the PX-MiEV II can run up to 50km on electric power alone. When needed the system engages the engine and switches to parallel hybrid mode. Mitsubishi claims the concept has a range of around 800km on a single tank of fuel.

The PX-MiEV II created much interest at the Tokyo motor show along with the new Mirage, the carmaker's low-CO2 supermini which is likely to be badged Colt.

The Mitsubishi nameplate was last used on three- and five-door models in New Zealand in the 1980s, when the car was one of the country's best sellers.

The new Mirage is expected to be built in Thailand. The carmaker says it will emit just 95g/km of CO2 in its most frugal form, translating to an impressive 4 litres/100km (70mpg). That's partly achieved by slashing weight to under 900kg, while slippery aerodynamics and stop-start technology also play their part.

Under the bonnet of the new five-door is a new 1-litre, three-cylinder engine mated to a CVT automatic gearbox. There's also the choice of a 1.2-litre engine.

Mitsubishi said the aim of the engineers was to make it easy to drive. That's helped by good forward vision thanks to the slim A-pillars, as well as a more visible bonnet to help judge parking dimensions. The light weight was achieved by use of high-tensile steel allowing thinner metal to be used in areas not requiring so much protection.

The new design language was explained by Mitsubishi's general design manager, Hiroaki Ohtsuka.

"The Colt has the jet fighter grille, but here we are shifting to something more acceptable to entry-level buyers. The design is focusing on the simple, clean and aerodynamic."