Mitsubishi has announced a number of minor improvements to its best-selling Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid SUV for 2017.
The 2017 Outlander PHEV now features an EV Priority Mode, which allows the driver to drive in electric-only mode without the petrol engine starting, as long as there is sufficient charge in the batteries.
The suspension has been tweaked to improve ride comfort and reduce noise. An electric parking brake with an automatic hold function now replaces the manual handbrake.
Electric-mode performance has been improved marginally, with the pure electric rage increased from 32 to 33 miles, and the regenerative braking system upgraded to deliver more charge to the battery when coasting or braking. Acceleration in electric-only mode is also improved. The changes have seen marginal improvements in the official economy and emissions figures, but it remains to be seen if these are noticeable in real-world driving conditions.
Rapid charging time has also been slightly improved, with an 80% charge using a rapid charging system now claimed to take 25 minutes instead of 30.
Safety systems on the Outlander PHEV have also been upgraded, with the optional autonomous emergency braking system gaining pedestrian detection ability. The mid-range 4h model now gets a blind spot warning system as standard, which also includes a rear cross traffic warning function.
