Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand (MMNZ) head of marketing Reece Congdon is bullishly predicting demand for the Next Generation Outlander plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will outstrip its petrol-only internal combustion engine (ICE) sibling in less than 12 months.
More than 1186 ICE Next Generation Outlanders were retailed in January 2020 and MMNZ says it has received more than 500 pre-orders for the PHEV with first shipments now arriving in local dealerships.
According to MMNZ the Next Generation Outlander PHEV offers a new 185kW/450Nm drive system, with 52% more pure EV range and 45% greater battery capacity than the predecessor vehicle, providing an EV range of up to 84km and 50% more combined driving range.
The flexibility of having an engine on board has always been a key selling point for the Outlander PHEV, MMNZ says.
Upgrades to the front and rear motors deliver a beefed-up 185kW maximum output (up from 130kW) with a hefty 450Nm of torque (up from 332Nm) for more powerful, efficient performance.
“Since its introduction in 2014, the PHEV has built on Outlander’s long-standing popularity. We have already received incredibly strong interest in the Next Generation model, with 500 pre-orders that haven’t yet been accounted for in our recent sales results,” Congdon says.
“An increasing number of Kiwis are turning to more sustainable transport options – and with everything this new Outlander PHEV model has to offer, we are confident that within the 12 months, demand for our PHEV variants will start outstripping their petrol counterparts,” he says,
Starting at a launch price of $60,990 + ORC ($54,240 + ORC once the Clean Car Discount is applied), the five-seat LS is equipped with dual zone climate control, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and a 9-inch smartphone-link display audio screen, while, for the first time, the XLS offers seven seats, black synthetic leather upholstery, smartphone wireless charging and three zone automatic climate control.
The top-of-the-range VRX comes equipped with memory leather seats, a BOSE sound system with nine speakers, 1500w AC power outlets, Multi-Around View Mirror, a kick tailgate and a 10.8-inch head-up dash display.
The Next Generation Outlander PHEV will be launched with a TV commercial on Sunday March 6.
Recommended Retail Pricing:
Outlander PHEV LS $69,990 + ORC
Outlander PHEV XLS $75,990 + ORC
Outlander PHEV VRX $79,990 + ORC
