The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S has been revealed, with the sharply-styled show car expected to offer a preview of an updated version of the petrol-electric SUV that could debut in 2015.
Making a bow at the 2014 Paris motor show in early October, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S is described by the Japanese brand as a “special design package for the production Outlander PHEV”. The car was teased earlier this month.
It reportedly retains the same petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain as the production model, which combines pair of electric motors (one at each axle), two inverters, a generator and a 2.0-litre petrol engine. Add all-wheel drive to that equation and the sheer complexity of the drivetrain starts to become mind-boggling.
Its styling is dramatically different to the Outlander on sale today. The changes include an aggressive X-shaped chrome-lined bumper design that incorporates new-look headlights.
The rear end also sees big design tweaks, with a broad, triangulated tail-light section, while chrome is also liberally applied to a further X-shaped design feature across the tailgate and rear bumper.
Inside, the PHEV Concept-S gets what Mitsubishi describes as a “Black & Burgundy” finish, though the red leather trim on the seats, lower dashboard and doors – highlighted by white piping – appears a few shades lighter.
However, there are a number of tweaks to the interior, with new black woodgrain-style trimming across the doors, console and dashboard that is said to be inspired by traditional Japanese black-lacquered boxes.
It remains unclear if these exact styling revisions will be seen on the production car, but CarAdvice’s spies have spotted a heavily camouflaged version of the current Outlander undergoing testing in Europe.
Stay tuned for more on the Outlander PHEV Concept-S from the 2014 Paris motor show.