The hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) that we first saw in December 2012 has now gone on sale in Europe. So far the model has only reached the Netherlands, but Mitsubishi has plans to expand sales into the rest of Europe in the coming months.
Featuring the first permanently electric, twin-motor four-wheel-drive system, Mitsubishi claims that the Outlander PHEV has an electric-only range of about 50 kilometres. When the electricity runs out, a 2.0-litre petrol engine kicks in to extend driving range to 885 kilometres without needing to fill up.
For most urban commutes, filling up should be a fairly quick affair, as 80 per cent of the Outlander's battery capacity can be charged in just half an hour at a roadside charging point. A full charge at home from the mains takes five hours.
So, by using these figures together with some Mitsubishi-maths, the Outlander comes to market with a combined fuel economy figure of 148mpg, and emits 44g/km of CO2.
Anything else?
Apparently Mitsubishi has already got 10,000 orders in Europe for the Outlander PHEV. Irish pricing has yet to be revealed.