Mitsubishi Outlander 2024 News

While increased awareness, acceptance and infrastructure for electrification will have improved plug-in hybrid sales, there’s more improvement to come on the PHEV front.

The Toyota RAV4 hybrid topped sales charts again in November, but it isn’t likely to take the number one spot from the Ford Ranger this year.

Mitsubishi has unveiled a refreshed Outlander plug-in hybrid in Europe that delivers improved range and powertrain output in addition to some cosmetic and technology upgrades.

Australians are waking up to the potential of plug-in hybrids according to new research.

An updated Mitsubishi Outlander has been spotted cruising the streets of Japan.

The fourth generation Mitsubishi Outlander was released in late 2021 and, as it approaches its fourth birthday, could be due for its first facelift. 

While electric cars and traditional hybrids have exploded in popularity, plug-in hybrids have remained a relatively niche alternative. By the middle of 2024, though, sales are up 130 per cent, from 3582 sales in 2023 to 8223 thanks to more models becoming available and improved vehicle supply. Driven by the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and new BYD Sealion 6, the plug-in hybrid landscape is only going to become more populous in the coming months, including when BYD launches the first PHEV ute to be sold in Australia. Plug-in hybrids offer a unique combination of electric mobility but without range anxiety. Their battery packs, typically between 10-20kWh in capacity, offer between 50-150km of electric-only range, matching early electric cars. There is the added benefit of a combustion engine that can kick in when you run out of battery. This means long distance road trips, like Sydney-Melbourne, require less charge stop planning than in a battery electric car. The technology is only improving, too. Manufacturers are fitting larger battery packs, more efficient motors and adding DC fast-charge capability to their plug-in hybrids. BYD is heavily invested, releasing its fifth-gen Dual Motor intelligence (DM-i) system in China with claims of 2100km total driving range and nearly 200km from the battery alone. It is not a perfect solution. Owners need to be diligent with charging to get anywhere close to the official fuel consumption ratings, typically below 3L/100km. Dragging the extra battery weight around often means similar fuel consumption to a petrol vehicle when out of charge, too. In its first month on sale, the new BYD Sealion 6 medium SUV notched up a healthy 482 registrations – it’ll be quick to challenge the established Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2422) and Eclipse Cross PHEV (1482, both year-to-date).Following the mainstream nameplates come some more premium options, including the Mazda CX-60 (460 to end of May), Volvo XC60 (390), Cupra Formentor (313), MG HS Plus EV (307), Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid (304), Audi Q5 (301), Lexus NX (175) and Mercedes-AMG C63 (163).Expect plug-in hybrid sales to easily reach beyond 15,000 this year. That’s still a long way off projected electric car (100,000) and hybrid (160,000) sales, but it is a big increase for the powertrain style. Also helping to drive sales are the current FBT exemptions for novated leasing on plug-in hybrid vehicles making them more attractive to buyers. This benefit will end on April 1, 2025. Hybrid hero Toyota sells a selection of plug-in hybrid models overseas, including the RAV4 and Prius Prime. Having committed to a 100 per cent hybrid or electric passenger car line-up (excluding GR) in Australia, Toyota may also join the fray. “As we evolve and battery technology evolves, there will be certain benefits that PHEV can offer that will also fit into those top three categories. Eventually, we'll have plug-in hybrids. What variants? We will have to decide,” Toyota Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley told CarsGuide in May.

Mitsubishi Australia is diversifying its powertrain offerings and growing its range to maintain its place as a volume seller in the competitive Australian market.Along with its signature plug-in hybrid powertrain and existing petrol and diesel offerings, Mitsubishi promises to add both Tesla-rivalling electric cars and regular hybrids to fight Toyota by 2030 in response to Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES). The brand announced its plans, in line with the global Momentum 2030 movement, at a dealer conference at a time when new Chinese brands are on an astronomical rise in Australia with growing line-ups stacked with affordable hybrid and electric cars. Mitsubishi will roll its new powertrains out on existing nameplates, including the new Pajero Sport and revised Outlander. It also looks like the brand is adding new models such as the Delica pictured at the far back of the image and a sub-ASX SUV. The change has come about after Australia was reclassified as a ‘core’ Mitsubishi market by the Japanese brand. “We will offer not only battery electrics but also plug-in hybrids and hybrids, and introduce appropriate products that will meet the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) set by the Australian government,” said Mitsubishi Motors Corporation President and CEO Takao Kato. Local CEO Shaun Westcott, added: “ is at a key point in its history, and today’s announcements confirm Mitsubishi Motors’ commitment to this market, via a strong product pathway to the end of the decade. “This includes delivering advanced powertrain technologies and a wider product choice, every model endowed with a unique spirit of adventure.” What new models are in the Momentum 2030 teaser?Mitsubishi has not confirmed any model names, details or whether the cars in the ‘Momentum 20230’ teaser will come to Australia. The brand also promised “new or completely refreshed products in multiple market segments,” so let’s have a guess at what’s coming up. Here are our thoughts, from left to right. On the left appears to be a selection of all-new SUV products. Mitsubishi has said electric cars will happen; these could come to fruition as a ute or as a mid-size SUV, given the brand’s access to the Nissan Ariya underpinnings. The front most left car appears to be a sub-ASX coupe-style SUV which has been rumoured as a plug-in hybrid to take the reins from the Mirage sedan, by US sources.Behind it is likely the ASX replacement we’ve all been waiting for. Given Mitsubishi has hinted at a hybrid model in the mix, this small SUV could be a rival for the Corolla Cross and Nissan Qashqai – potentially twinned with the Renault Symbioz. The two centre models are the most obscure, though right down the back is quite clearly the Delica D:5 off-road van. In front of it could be the new Pajero Sport ‘PPV’ but equally the rebirth of the iconic three-row Pajero. Both were hinted at in Mitsubishi’s mid-term plan and Nissan is set to unveil the Pajero’s expected sibling, the Patrol, before March 2025. The three right models are updated or tweaked existing vehicles. The Triton is earmarked for electrification – be that hybrid, plug-in for full EV, or more than one – in the near future. We’re expecting the front right model will be revealed in 2025 as a rugged off-road-focused version of the Outlander family SUV. Further back is a more conventional Outlander. The car debuted in 2021 so come 2025 – four years later – a facelift is due. Mitsubishi could roll out a strong hybrid version of its mid-size SUV alongside a facelift, though it’s safe to expect revisions to suspension, the plug-in hybrid system and in-car technology. Whether Mitsubishi’s updated plan is enough to keep dealers excited remains to be seen. The new Triton is off to a strong start up 12 per cent year-on-year despite a lack of entry models. The Outlander is also performing well finding 2500 buyers in May and up 17.3 per cent.

Mitsubishi Australia has added a new variant to its line-up of Outlander plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs, drawing on its history with a “sporty” GSR version.

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