TOKYO: Mitsubishi has introduced a new evolution of 2013’s compact XR-PHEV concept, dubbed, appropriately, XR-PHEV II. The new show-car shows a more production-friendly design, building on the look initially established with the original concept.
Power in the two-wheel-drive XR-PHEV II is provided by a small petrol engine mated to a 120kW electric motor and a 12kWh battery.
Details for the petrol engine have not been revealed, although the earlier XR-PHEV concept featured a direct-injected and turbocharged 1.1 litre unit.
Combined output and fuel consumption figures have also not been released, but Mitsubishi promises carbon emissions numbers below 40g/km.
“The PHEV system is designed to operate primarily in all-electric mode with the engine acting as a generator or supplying additional motive power when needed,” Mitsubishi says.
“Depending on driving conditions and remaining battery charge, the system automatically switches between all-electric, series hybrid and parallel hybrid modes”.
It’s unclear how much of the new XR-PHEV II’s styling will make the transition to production.
But, although ‘out there’ in its nature, there is little about the new concept’s exterior design that cannot be translated to showroom readiness.
Mitsubishi has taken a more futuristic approach to the concept’s cabin, but a production-ready base is clear in its overall design.
The new model’s place in Mitsubishi’s line-up is also unclear, although we can almost certainly expect it to replace the current ASX.
2015 mitsubishi xr phev ii concept 12 Both compact SUVs ride on an identical 2670mm wheelbase, although the XR-PHEV II is 195mm longer at 4490mm and 120mm wider at 1890mm.
The concept is imagined as a four-seater, but any move to production would like see the cabin reconfigured to seat five.
