insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 11 - January 2016 | Page 88
MOTORS
the mitsubishi OUTLANDER PHEV cont.
areas of the body, engine and suspension, tyres
and wheels. Thicker ‘soundproof’ glazing has
been incorporated into the car’s design, dynamic
damping has been fitted to specific areas and
components, and a revised door-sealing system
has been introduced that traps noise by using
Thinsulate, a material taken from the garment
industry. The result is a much quieter cabin
environment and supremely smooth ride.
Fuel economy is improved, up from 148 mpg to
156 mpg, and CO2 emissions are down from 44
g/km to 42 g/km.
GX3h, the entry-level model, now has features
such as an auto-dimming rear-view mirror,
chrome beltline moulding, high-tech seat fabrics
(C-Tec), LED daytime running lights, a luggage
compartment with a 12V socket and LED footwell
illumination. Another useful addition is a
sunglasses pocket. The price (after receipt of the
Government’s plugin car grant) is £29,249 – the
same price as the GX3 diesel. In other words,
there is still no premium placed on the hybrid
technology.
There is a new variant in the range – GX3h+ –
which adds the pre-heater, Mitsubishi PHEV app
and heated front seats. The price of this car is
£30,249 (post-grant).
The GX4h now features an impressive array of
extra equipment. It takes the GX3h’s autodimming rear-view mirror, LED daytime running
lights, 12V luggage compartment socket and
footwell illumination. Also included are the 360degree camera with steering wheel switch,
steering wheel heater and super-wide LED
headlamps with auto levelling. The price of this
car is £33,899 (post-grant).
Top of the range is the GX4hs, which has all the
benefits of the GX4h, front and rear parking
sensors, plus Mitsubishi’s Unintended
Acceleration Mitigation System. All models in the
range are covered by a five-year warranty. The
traction battery in the new Outlander PHEV has
an eight-year warranty.
NO COMPROMISES
For those unfamiliar with Outlander PHEV and
the philosophy behind its design and production,
let’s look at a few basics. Outlander PHEV is a
five-seater, full-size SUV with ultra-low emissions
and high MPG.
Smooth & Refined Drive
Low centre of gravity and excellent weight
distribution give great driving dynamics. The
Outlander PHEV offers an ultra-smooth driving
experience, with seamless transition between
three driving modes (EV, series hybrid, parallel
hybrid), which combine to deliver optimum
performance dependent on driving conditions.
No Compromise on 4WD Ability
Ground clearance of 190mm, adaptive four-wheel
drive, with twin electric motors driving the wheels.
No Compromise on Performance
0-62mph in 11 seconds – a package which
generates up to 244lb/ft of torque. It has 1,500kg
towing capacity – ideal for a medium-weight
caravan. CO2 from 42g/km, and high mpg of
156mpg based on standards set by EU law and
based on the EU drive cycle.
No Compromise on Space
Large cargo area – 463-litre volume (1,603 litres
for commercial variants). Masses of interior cabin
space with ample head room.
MAIN FEATURES
Put simply, Outlander PHEV offers environmentally
friendly all-electric operation for everyday use
and mainly motor powered hybrid operation for
longer journeys.
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The Outlander PHEV’s unique combination of
electric motors and a petrol engine give it amazing
flexibility in optimising fuel efficiency and
environmental performance while providing a
long cruising range.
For example, the Outlander PHEV has a cruising
range of up to 32.5 miles in pure EV mode,
enabling it to function entirely as an electric vehicle
in most everyday situations. That mileage is more
than enough for the average daily commute.
Drivers who cover fewer than 32.5 miles on a
daily basis will rarely visit the petrol pump!
Using both battery and petrol modes, it has a
cruising range of approximately 541 miles, which
is on a par with non-hybrid vehicles.
The optimum drive mode for comfortable and
fuel-efficient driving is automatically selected
depending on driving conditions and remaining
level of battery charge.
Petrol consumption is minimised by actively using
electric power, keeping the petrol engine in its
most efficient range, and by recovering energy
used during deceleration from regenerative
braking.
Commercial versions of PHEV are available –
making PHEV the first plug-in hybrid electric
vehicle to be available as a commercial variant.
So what are you waiting for? The Mitsubishi
Outlander PHEV could be the answer you’ve
been looking for!
To arrange an “electrifying” test drive and explore
the world of PHEV simply contact Canterbury
Mitsubishi.
Birchwood Mitsubishi
1 Hawthorn Road, Eastbourne, BN23 6QA
01323 407355
www.birchwoodmitsubishi.co.uk