Mitsubishi: U.S.-Bound 2016 Outlander PHEV "Will Be Completely Different"

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Perhaps as a result of what Mitsubishi had learned thus far since the introduction of the Outlander PHEV in Europe, Japan and Australia — as well as a MY 2016 redesign — the United States-bound PHEV “will be completely different,” according to both Mitsubishi Motors North America Executive Vice President Don Swearingen and U.S. PR boss Alex Fedorak.

Autoblog reports the SUV — now set to arrive in November 2015 — will have an interior with materials that look and feel “less value-oriented,” while its battery monitor can look each cell along with the overall pack. It will also likely take its styling cues from the GC-PHEV and XR-PHEV concepts, both debuting at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Show last November.

Meanwhile, the 2015 Outlander Sport may soon possess a 2.4-liter I4 to go with its 2-liter variant as Fedorak and his employer’s dealer network discuss what needs to be done to make the bigger engine a better sell; early results point to stronger highway overtaking ability.

Finally, although Mitsubishi’s long-term goal is to evolve into “an SUV/crossover-type company,” cars will still have a role in the near-term, especially the Mirage compact. Despite most publications giving the Mirage a good thrashing — though our rising superstar managing editor had a different sort of thrashing in mind — Fedorak claims the compact is outselling both the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris; the latter is ahead of the Mitsubishi by 265 units through the end of June.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Jul 09, 2014

    Rearranging the Titanic's deck chairs, that's what this is.

  • BklynPete BklynPete on Jul 09, 2014

    My favorite: "'Autoblog reports the SUV — now set to arrive in November 2015 — will have an interior with materials that look and feel “less value-oriented,'” Hmmm. Less value-oriented = cheap. I see things haven't changed much with the nicey-nice lies since I worked w/MMSA. Alex Fedorak is a good guy. I'm sorry that he's no longer with Subaru, a company worth of his talents. I just read Consumer Reports' road test of the Mirage. I believe the word "horrid" was in there. That is a good and thorough spanking. I guess the parent co. in Japan doesn't see much downside in keeping the lights on for a little while longer.

  • BklynPete BklynPete on Jul 09, 2014

    This reads just like when GM used to say, "The Good Stuff is Just Around the Corner."

  • Idemmu Idemmu on Jul 10, 2014

    Good to see that Chrysler and Mitsubishi has renewed their partnership and rebadged the Durango as the new montero.. What's that? They didn't???

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