The Spirit Of The Evolution Lives On In The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi is clawing its way back into the heart and minds of American car buyers. With new product around the board including the Outlander, which just had its best-ever sales quarter and sales month in September. It was also the best-ever quarter for the funkyEclipse Crossand the Outlander PHEV beat last year's sales too.

That plug-in hybrid is what we're concerned with today, as the company is bringing an evolved version of its legendary Super-All Wheel Control from the famousLancer Evolutionto the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which goes on sale in the second half of 2022.

The new Outlander PHEV will use a twin-motor four-wheel-drive system with one motor at each axle. Because it can control those motors so precisely, it can better distribute power between the front and rear "according to driving conditions." We're hoping this is the rumoredRalliart versionwe heard about in August.

S-AWC will combine with the twin-motor system, enabling all four wheels to be slowed or sped up independently. When the system gently puts on the rear brakes, it "reduces the load on the front wheels and makes it possible to extract the maximum performance from all four tires in a more balanced manner and delivers handling true to the driver's intent for safe, secure and comfortable driving in various conditions," says Mitsubishi.

These systems will also depend on the drive modes, of which the Outlander PHEV has seven, including Gravel, Snow and Eco, in addition to your usual ones. For power it uses a 2.4-liter four making 126 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. The previous rear motor was been replaced last year for a better one, with the system now delivering 221 hp in total.

插电式混合动力汽车的主要驱动欧蓝德电池也做了in 2021, from 12 kWh to 13.8 kWh. That added two miles to its all electric range, which is now pegged at 24 miles. You won't see the PHEV at the upcomingRebelle Rally. Mitsubishi is bringing an full-size Outlander in 2001 Dakar livery.