Mitsubishi brought the USA bound Outlander plug-in hybrid to the New York Auto Show, and has announced the vehicle will go on sale in North America in October this year!

It’s been a long wait, originally the vehicle was supposed to go on sale back in 2013. However, at the last minute, California changed their CARB rules, which caused Mitsubishi to throw up its hands and hold back the vehicle altogether – mostly because it was so popular in Europe it was having trouble just meeting the demand there.

Now that the new redesigned Outlander is debuting in 2017, Mitsubishi has made the necessary engineering changes to be allowed to bring it to North America, and the vehicle should sell quite well.

The Outlander PHEV comes with a 12 kWH lithium-ion battery, and a 2 liter gasoline engine. Either the battery pack, or the gasoline engine, or both, can power the front and rear 60 kWh electric motors for AWD. All electric range should be around 22 miles.

USA pricing and details to come closer to the fall 2016 launch.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Press Release:

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV MAKES U.S. DEBUT AT THE 2016 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

• 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to go on sale in United States in fall 2016
• Already the top-selling PHEV in Europe, Outlander PHEV is the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV
• Outlander PHEV delivers SUV capabilities and EV fuel economy

NEW YORK, NY March 24, 2016 – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today showed the much-anticipated production model of the all-new 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) at the 2016 New York International Auto Show. The Outlander PHEV is a perfect culmination of Mitsubishi’s history of automotive excellence: 50 years of electromobility and decades of four-wheel drive technology honed on the international rally circuit. Featuring a highly efficient 2.0-liter gas engine and two high-performance electric motors, and Mitsubishi’s superior Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a very capable PHEV. The Outlander PHEV will arrive at Mitsubishi showrooms in fall 2016.

“What makes the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV so special is that it offers the best of both worlds with a balance of electric efficiency and long-range practicality,” said Don Swearingen, executive vice president, MMNA. “Mitsubishi put its engineering prowess and knowledge to work to create a vehicle that meets the demand of a growing number of consumers who need a car that is capable and environmentally friendly. The Outlander PHEV will offer a high electric range and combined miles per gallon (MPG).”

The Outlander PHEV is highlighted by the full-time, twin-electric motor 4WD system that provides quick and optimized torque distribution. The motors are mounted separately at the front and rear axles to deliver precise, responsive 4WD performance with the S-AWC system ensuring excellent driving stability and intuitive, linear handling. The battery that supplies the electricity for the motors is a high-capacity 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Three drive modes are available: EV (full electric mode), series hybrid (electric power with generator operation) and parallel hybrid (engine power and electric motor assistance). The PHEV system automatically selects the most efficient drive mode given the road conditions and other factors. The system also features a regenerative braking mode, where electricity is captured under braking.

The S-AWC system found on the Outlander PHEV is a specialized application of Lancer Evolution-derived Super All-Wheel Control developed specifically for the Outlander PHEV’s unique twin electric motor configuration for maximum performance, efficiency, tractability and safety.

Advanced safety and convenience features will be available on Outlander PHEV, including: Multi-Around view Camera Monitor, Forward Collision Mitigation with pedestrian detection capability, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and available smartphone integrations including Apple CarPlay™, the smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car, lets drivers make calls, get directions optimized for traffic conditions, listen to music, and access messages. It will also support Android Auto™ extends the Android™ platform into the car in a way that’s purpose-built for driving.

“As previously stated, Mitsubishi’s future is crossover utility vehicles and electrified vehicles. Today we are showing the first piece of that plan,” said Swearingen.