- PHEV crossover concept boasts all-wheel drive
- Powertrain evolved from Outlander PHEV
- New design approach for Mitsubishi
- Paired with solar home charging unit
Mitsubishi introduced a new 3-row crossover concept at the Geneva Motor Show that combines both all-wheel drive capability and a unique approach to home recharging. The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer Concept, which is named after a Swiss ski resort town, uses a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with dual electric motors to provide all-wheel drive. The powertrain is an evolution of the setup used in the current Outlander PHEV.
The Engelberg Tourer has a pure EV range of 43 miles and combined 434-mile range on a tank of fuel. By essentially using the engine as an on-board generator to power the electric motors, Mitsubishi says the vehicle is able to recapture additional energy through regenerative braking, which helps boost both the pure EV and hybrid-power distances between charging and refueling.
Bold look
The aggressive styling of the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer Concept is designed to communicate the vehicle’s go-anywhere do-anything capability. The nose of the vehicle is distinguished by its black fascia that extends from the leading edge of the hood down to the bumper. A thin row of LED daytime running lights are tucked beneath the hood’s cutline, while larger LED light pods flank the sides of the front end.
In profile, the vehicle has a muscular look thanks to well defined character lines that form a cove shape on the doors. The black floating roof design is accentuated by a black cargo carrier above and the rear LED lighting extends from the rear quarter panels around into the liftgate. Completing the SUV styling them are front and rear skid plates.
Form follows function inside
The cabin has a clean, functional look. The dash has flat surfaces that accentuate the horizontal layout. There’s a larger infotainment screen dominating the center of the space and behind the wheel is digital instrument cluster display that uses an analog presentation. The front seat is divided by a larger center console that houses the shift lever and ancillary controls.
Leather-clad contoured bucket seats with a quilted upholstery are used in the front and rear rows, giving the Engelberg Tourer an upscale look and feel. Connected car technology enabled by the destination entered in the navigation system to use weather, temperature, topography, traffic and surface conditions to select the optimum drive mode.
Also: Check out the latest news from the Geneva Motor Show
Dendo Drive House
The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer is more than just a concept car, it also has a concept house to go with it to demonstrate the use of renewables to recharging the vehicle. The Dendo Drive House is a system developed in conjunction with the concept vehicle to uses solar panels, a bi-directional charger and home battery to provide the perfect docking station for the PHEV vehicle.
The integrated system is being developed to be sold alongside electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles around the world by Mitsubishi dealers. The setup not only allows both the car and the in-house battery to capture power from the solar cells, but also the bi-directional charger allows either the home battery or vehicle to be replenished depending on the needs of the home/car owner.
