Mitsubishi Motors has announced that it will debut a plug-in hybrid version of its Outlander crossover at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show.
First previewed with the 2009 Concept PX-MiEV, the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (or PHEV) will become Mitsubishi's first Plug-in Hybrid car and also the first electric car to feature permanent four-wheel drive. This is possible because of a unique drive train set up with separate electric motors for both the front and rear axles with a petrol engine (felt to be more suited to global markets than a diesel unit) to act as back up should more power be required.
This system means the Outlander PHEV can run in one of three modes: Pure (EV mode with two electric motors), Series (electric motors backed up by the engine - much like the Vauxhall Ampera) and Parallel (petrol engine backed up by electric motors, like the Toyota Prius).
Mitsubishi says that the system will allow for a range of over 800 kilometres with emissions of less than 50g/km.
The Outlander PHEV is scheduled to go on sale in Europe during the course of 2013.
Alongside the Outlander, Mitsubishi has also promised to stage further premieres at the Paris Motor Show aimed at a European audience, with details to be announced at a later stage.