New Mitsubishi Outlander unveiled

Mitsubishi has revealed its all-new Mitsubishi Outlander at the Geneva motor show. The new Outlander line-up will include a plug-in hybrid model for some markets.

The new Outlander was earlier previewed at the Tokyo motor show as the PX-MiEV II concept car. The production Outlander sports very little changes over the concept, featuring a slightly softened front end with circular fog lights, a revised front grille and a different lower front bumper.

The concept car’s sleek wing mirrors have also been replaced with more conventional units. No rear image has been revealed in an overall design that Mitsubishi calls “solid, simple, safe”.

Mitsubishi claims the interior, which has also yet to have been pictured, sports a similar design to the current car. The seven-seat interior features plenty of padded surfaces and a soft-touch finish, a new dashboard for “better driver concentration”, a new multi-function steering wheel and a clearer instrument panel.

New features include a steering column that adjusts for reach and rake, ‘wide vision’ xenon headlamps, dual-zone air-con, a flat cargo area and a powered tailgate. Added safety kit includes a ‘Forward Collision Mitigation System, a lane departure warning system and active cruise control.

Globally, engine options include revised versions of the current 2.0-litre MIVEC petrol and 2.2-litre MIVEC clean diesel engine. Front and four-wheel drive will be offered, alongside stop-start, a new six-speed automatic gearbox and a new eco driving mode.

The all-wheel drive plug-in drivetrain will be available in Europe from 2013 following the standard car's launch later this summer. The system uses two electric motors, one to power each axle, and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It can travel up to 48km on electric power alone, and combined economy could be as high as 60kpl.

The new Outlander will not be built in Europe, however, following Mitsubishi's decision to end production at its Dutch factory due to falling production volumes.