Mitsubishi GR-HEV hybrid ute concept teased

While it's unlikely to win over the annual Deniliquin Ute Muster crowd -- or impress them in the circle work competition -- the Japanese automaker says the hybrid GR-HEV will be both sporty and tough.

Hybrid technology is just one facet of vehicle electrification Mitsubishi is exploring as it works on reaching its self-imposed goal of offering some kind of electrified drivetrain technology on 20 percent of its lineup by 2020.

We’ve already seen Mitsubishi launch the all-electric i-MiEV and plug-in hybrid Outlander PHEV, but now the automaker is previewing its future hybrid technology.

Mitsubishi explains that hybrid technology, which is cheaper than all-electric and plug-in hybrid technology, is ideal for heavy-duty daily requirements of ute users, and this is one of the main reasons why it chose to feature its hybrid tech on such a vehicle.

The GR-HEV concept combines a diesel engine with at least two electric motors, and features Mitsubishi’s featuring Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel-drive system.

No other details have been revealed, though we can see that the GR-HEV will be a mid-size ute with a rugged look and advanced design features. Those side mirrors, by the way, are rearward-looking cameras instead of conventional mirrors.

In addition to its hybrid ute concept, Mitsubishi will also unveil a new i-MiEV concept that was developed based on feedback from owners of the i-MiEV electric car.

Called the CA-MiEV, the new concept is described as “suburban” electric car with a driving range of 300 kilometres. The CA-MiEV concept will also feature various technologies Mitsubishi plans to introduce on future production vehicles, such as magnetic resonance wireless charging technology and smartphone activated functions.

www.motorauthority.com