Mitsubishi Motors to unveil new small crossover PHEV concept at Geneva; headed for production
25 February 2015
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will stage the global debut of the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show. The Concept XR-PHEV II is a small crossover powered by a new plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) system. Mitsubishi said it expects the Concept XR-PHEV II to become MMC’s second production PHEV following the Outlander PHEV launched in January 2013. (Earlier post.) (The Outlander PHEV was Europe’s top-selling plug-in vehicle in 2014, with 19,980 units sold.)
The new PHEV system presented in the Concept XR-PHEV II is a lightweight, compact and high-efficiency front-engine/front-drive system suited for an urban crossover. The system is estimated to achieve very low CO2 emissions of below 40 g/km, while also delivering performance and response with its 120 kW electric motor.
|
|
The new PHEV system is designed for use in front-engine/front-drive models and comprises a MIVEC engine; a new electric motor/generator; a new power drive unit all mounted up front; and a 12 kWh battery pack. The new power drive unit comprises a compact and high-efficiency inverter and variable voltage system to achieve high power and high torque.
The PHEV system is designed to operate primarily in all-electric mode with the engine acting as a generator or supplying additional motive power when needed. Depending on driving conditions and remaining battery charge, the system automatically switches between all-electric, series hybrid and parallel hybrid modes.
By selecting Battery Save or Battery Charge mode, the driver can drive in all-electric mode when desired.
MMC said it is currently developing PHEV systems best suited to each model in its lineup with a view to introducing them in the near future.
I hope the production version has a lower belt line/better visibility.
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 25 February 2015 at 09:30 AM
Good comment, Nick. The motor industry has been giving us too much of this impractical sort of thing of recent times, often led by MHI or the German firms. One wonders whether they are preparing us for the generations of Autonomously controlled cars which will soon be coming, where vision from the interior is immaterial, being steered by input from radars and other sensors.Too bad if you hate being seen getting into such an ugly thing, everyone else will be forced to copy, just as this industry has always done. Freedom of choice ?, what an anti-capitalist notion.
Posted by: Peterww | 02 March 2015 at 03:36 AM