Photo: Newspress
We'll be honest with you guys and say that the products the triple-diamond brand has launched recently have all been disappointments, with the exception of the Outlander. The once mighty car brand that was synonymous with Japanese offroaders has been reduced in power and presence, but they are not out for the count, far from it. At the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, Mitsubishi revealed this, the GC-PHEV Concept.
The GC is actually one of three concept crossover-SUVs that have been shown at other auto events over the past couple of years. But this is the first time Mitsubishi has shown it in the States. That's because they are using it to preview the design language of a car which may land in dealerships pretty soon.
Which car? Expect a next-generation full-size crossover that "combines the capability and energy efficiency of a dynamic plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain in a muscular-looking yet highly refined vehicle."
The GC-PHEV comes with all the concept car bells and whistles. It's powered by a combination of supercharged 3.0-liter V6, producing 335 horsepower, and 70 kW electric motor producing an additional 94 hp. Mitsu' says it will do 25 miles (40 km) in EV mode and will achieve over 35 mpg, which frankly isn't that impressive until you realize this SUV has almost as much power as a BMW M3.
If this SUV ever makes it into production, it may prove a life-saver if a hurricane or earthquake hits round where you live. If the tank and the battery are fuel, they will supposedly deliver 1500 Watts of electricity, enough to sustain a house for 2 weeks. Clearly, the earthquakes and tsunamis that damaged Japan in the past years have left a mark on the way these people think.
In this cost-competitive SUV market, there's no way such a feature will make it into production, especially with a brand that sells some of the cheapest cars in America. But it shows how the Japanese are trying to reinvent themselves by thinking outside the box. We give this Chicago debut the thumbs up!
Which car? Expect a next-generation full-size crossover that "combines the capability and energy efficiency of a dynamic plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain in a muscular-looking yet highly refined vehicle."
The GC-PHEV comes with all the concept car bells and whistles. It's powered by a combination of supercharged 3.0-liter V6, producing 335 horsepower, and 70 kW electric motor producing an additional 94 hp. Mitsu' says it will do 25 miles (40 km) in EV mode and will achieve over 35 mpg, which frankly isn't that impressive until you realize this SUV has almost as much power as a BMW M3.
If this SUV ever makes it into production, it may prove a life-saver if a hurricane or earthquake hits round where you live. If the tank and the battery are fuel, they will supposedly deliver 1500 Watts of electricity, enough to sustain a house for 2 weeks. Clearly, the earthquakes and tsunamis that damaged Japan in the past years have left a mark on the way these people think.
The Tactical Table
The biggest feature of the interior is a huge screen that travels the length of the car, a bit like the load area of a military Humvee. This touchscreen surface can be used by all four passengers to connect their devices, browse the internet or plan their vacation route. Mitsubishi calls this the "Tactical Tale".In this cost-competitive SUV market, there's no way such a feature will make it into production, especially with a brand that sells some of the cheapest cars in America. But it shows how the Japanese are trying to reinvent themselves by thinking outside the box. We give this Chicago debut the thumbs up!
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