三菱曾在2013年推出欧蓝德插电混动车，而即将在日内瓦车展亮相的2019款车型将进行大幅升级，新车最大变化是原来搭载的那台奥托循环2.0升汽油引擎将被更大的阿特金森巡航2.4升引擎所取代。虽然三菱并未透露新引擎的任何细节，但表示，其扭矩输出将远高于老款车的186牛米@4500转/分。同时，新引擎的燃油经济性更优异，运转更平顺，而具体的输出功率目前仍是秘密。而老款2.0升引擎功率为87千瓦/118马力@4500转/分。新车还将搭载功率提升10%发电机和动力同样增加10%的后置电机。三菱还为该车提供了13.8千瓦时锂电池组，而老款车电池容量为12千瓦时。更重要的是，电池功率也提升了10%。由此可以判断，新车续航里程将超过老款车的22英里（约合35公里）。为了提升车辆冬季牵引力，该车还增加了雪地模式，而运动模式提升了车辆在普通路面的驾驶感受。新车在外观上的变化不大，包括配备新的LED前大灯和矩形前雾灯。格栅也进行了小改款，车头底部配备护板，车顶扰流器进一步扩大，新的18英寸双色合金轮圈成为外观改款的收官之笔。车厢内采用车身同色前排真皮座椅，新的内饰和升级各种开关按键，后排提供空调出风口等等。
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Gets Bigger, Torquier Engine
Mitsubishi introduced the Outlander PHEV back in 2013 and now it’s giving the plug-in hybrid SUV a significant update for the 2019MY, just months after (finally) launching the model in the United States. The most important change isn’t visible to the naked eye without opening the hood where the Otto-cycle 2.0-liter gasoline engine has been replaced by a bigger Atkinson-cycle 2.4-liter unit.
Without revealing any output numbers, Mitsu says torque has increased beyond the 186 Newton-meters (137 pound-feet) of torque attainable at 4,500 rpm in the previous Outlander PHEV. At the same time, higher efficiency and a smoother operation are being promised, while the horsepower number remains shrouded in mystery at this point. For what it’s worth, the old 2.0-liter engine offered 118 hp (87 kilowatts) at 4,500 rpm.
It gets better as the 2019 Outlander PHEV benefits from a 10-percent generator output hike and a 10% boost of the rear motor’s output. Mitsubishi has also fiddled with the lithium-ion battery pack and it now has a capacity of 13.8 kWh, up from the previous 12 kWh. Moreover, the battery’s output has jumped by 10%. One can assume these revisions have increased the electric range compared to the outgoing 22-mile model.
The Outlander PHEV is still a competent SUV at its core, so Mitsubishi has taken the effort to further improve its abilities on difficult terrain by adding a Snow mode providing increased traction on wintery roads. Should you want to drive the plug-in hybrid SUV in a more aggressive manner, a Sport mode is being introduced and aims to provide a more direct control.
Beyond the hardware and software tweaks, Mitsubishi has also made some subtle design changes like the new LED headlights and the rectangular front fog lamp bezels. The grille has also gone through a nip and tuck, while the skid plate at the front, an enlarged roof-mounted rear spoiler, and fresh 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels round off the changes on the outside.
Inside, the 2019 Outlander PHEV has been subjected to quite a few modifications, such as more body-hugging front seats wrapped in leather upholstery, along with an updated switchgear, new trim, A/C outlets for the rear passengers, and other goodies.
We will get to see the partially electrified SUV next month at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show where it will share the spotlight with the e-Evolution concept celebrating its European premiere.