Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
Presented earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, the Engelberg Tourer takes its name from a Swiss ski resort for some reason or another. But looking at the 2021 Outlander, it’s clear that Mitsubishi came up with that concept as a preview for the automaker’s next mid-size crossover utility vehicle.
The most striking detail about the test mule is the design of the headlights, coming in the guise of thin clusters beautified by light-emitting diodes for good measure. This approach means that the front bumper gets even busier than before, a trend that Mitsubishi has embraced with the Eclipse Cross and latest refresh of the Outlander Sport (a.k.a. ASX in Europe and RVR in Japan).
Riding on intricate wheels with on-road tires, the prototype further shows a longer wheelbase than before and generous rear doors for easier access for the third-row passengers. What comes as a surprise is the size of the rear brake rotors, a bit on the small side compared to the size of the alloy wheels.
Out the back, it’s business as usual for Mitsubishi and the exhaust gas exits the muffler through a single pipe on the left-hand side of the vehicle. The engineers couldn’t make a case for a split tailgate, a feature that made the second generation stand out in the mid-size crowd despite the rather dull styling. It’s hard to work out if there’s a charging port door hiding under the camo, but nevertheless, a new plug-in hybrid option might be offered.
We’ve first heard about the next-gen PHEV in September 2019 through a teaser of a yet-unnamed concept, heading to the Tokyo Motor Show with “unparalleled driving pleasure.” For reference, the Outlander PHEV for the 2020 model year combines a 13.8-kWh battery with a 2.4-liter Atkinson four-cylinder powerplant and an electrified rear axle for all-wheel drive on demand.
As part of the Renault-Nissan alliance, Mitsubishi could also tap into the e-drive and battery technologies of the Japanese and French overlords. While on the subject of alliances, the platform of the 2021 Outlander could be shared with the next Koleos and X-Trail (a.k.a. Rogue in the United States).
Both Renault and Nissan are stepping up their electrification game, and the Common Module Family C/D vehicle architecture already has mild-hybrid applications. The Scenic comes to mind, featuring the Hybrid Assist turbo diesel with a 48-volt battery, e-motor, and the Energy dCi 110 engine.
Riding on intricate wheels with on-road tires, the prototype further shows a longer wheelbase than before and generous rear doors for easier access for the third-row passengers. What comes as a surprise is the size of the rear brake rotors, a bit on the small side compared to the size of the alloy wheels.
Out the back, it’s business as usual for Mitsubishi and the exhaust gas exits the muffler through a single pipe on the left-hand side of the vehicle. The engineers couldn’t make a case for a split tailgate, a feature that made the second generation stand out in the mid-size crowd despite the rather dull styling. It’s hard to work out if there’s a charging port door hiding under the camo, but nevertheless, a new plug-in hybrid option might be offered.
We’ve first heard about the next-gen PHEV in September 2019 through a teaser of a yet-unnamed concept, heading to the Tokyo Motor Show with “unparalleled driving pleasure.” For reference, the Outlander PHEV for the 2020 model year combines a 13.8-kWh battery with a 2.4-liter Atkinson four-cylinder powerplant and an electrified rear axle for all-wheel drive on demand.
As part of the Renault-Nissan alliance, Mitsubishi could also tap into the e-drive and battery technologies of the Japanese and French overlords. While on the subject of alliances, the platform of the 2021 Outlander could be shared with the next Koleos and X-Trail (a.k.a. Rogue in the United States).
Both Renault and Nissan are stepping up their electrification game, and the Common Module Family C/D vehicle architecture already has mild-hybrid applications. The Scenic comes to mind, featuring the Hybrid Assist turbo diesel with a 48-volt battery, e-motor, and the Energy dCi 110 engine.
Google News