PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S
Mitsubishi to gauge public reaction to mid-life upgrade for Outlander SUVThe wraps have come off the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S, which previews a mid-life visual update for the current plug-in hybrid SUV, arriving sometime in 2015.
Revealed here just before its 2014 Paris motor show debut, the new design was first teased in early September and shows off the company's new design language that will eventually permeate its entire range.
The all-wheel drive Concept-S is dubbed a "special design package" and will allow Mitsubishi to gauge public reaction to the design, which will likely be toned down when it arrives ready for production in 2015.
In Australia the Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid SUV is priced from $47,490 and if you look closely at the photos, the new look is basically a number of new panels fitted to the current model, indicating Mitsubishi's desire to begin integrating its new corporate face on existing models.
A major workover of the donor car, shifting the Outlander's design from curved and conservative to angular and outgoing, the front end design of the Concept-S features a bold new motif, with striking chrome accents in the shape of stylised 'X' marking its concept status. In keeping with other Mitsubishi designs recently unveiled, the frontal treatment is intended to reflect the look of a helmeted samurai warrior.
Redesigned slimline headlights provide the car with a sleek new image and LED-heavy fog lights lend the car's face a technical edge.
New-look alloy wheels are in evidence and mildly flared body-coloured wheel arches are new too.
At the back of the car Mitsubishi has applied the same chrome-accented 'X' motif positioned below an audacious brake light cluster than spans the width of the vehicle, with wrap-around leading edges.
It's likely the new look won't be as extreme as this concept when it reaches production, but it provides a clue as to how Mitsubishi wants to shape its popular medium-sized SUV.
Shayna Welsh, Head of Corporate Communications at Mitsubishi Motors Australia, told motoring.com.au that the Outlander is due for a mid-life facelift "in 2015" but wouldn't be drawn on a specific date.
"Last year Mitsubishi started to talk about a new design language, with hints of this shown at the 2013 Tokyo motor show and now this vehicle shows one interpretation of this future design direction," said Welsh.
Underneath the skin the Outlander Concept-S retains the current 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, twin electric motors and 12kW/h lithium ion battery. Power outputs were not supplied, but the current model pumps out 87kW/186Nm from its petrol engine and up to 60kW/137Nm and 60kW/195Nm from the front and rear electric motors respectively.
The interior will also be redesigned for the Outlander's mid-life update, with a more luxurious level of specification seen in this concept. Boasting a red and black colour scheme in the cabin, highlighted by silver accents combined with black woodgrain trim and fine leather, Mitsubishi says the cabin "makes use of painstakingly executed detailing to express precision, quality, craftsmanship and sophistication.
The seats feature ribbed cushioning too, adding a little pomp to proceedings.
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