Mitsubishi is finally regaining some of the magic with its redesigned and competitive Outlander. The company plans to build on that momentum with the launch of a high-performance SUV, bolstering its newly revived Ralliart performance division in the process, according to reports.
Wait, a non-luxury performance SUV? Well, if any company can pull it off, it’s Mitsubishi. It has a history of WRC victories and Paris-Dakar Rally dominance. Almost all of its racing heritage has been forged on dirt, not tarmac, so a hot Mitsu SUV doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
According to the Japanese best car magazine, the full-scale Outlander will be based on the Outlander Vision Ralliart concept shown at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon just over a year ago. Presumably, the model will be called the Outlander PHEV Ralliart and will feature extensive tweaks to differentiate it from the standard version.
best car The chassis will be reinforced to increase body rigidity, the report said. Mitsubishi will also beef up the suspension and visually differentiate it with unique aerodynamic bits. It may not have been specified, but the Auto Salon concept has wider fenders front and rear, a new front grille and bumper, and a large diffuser under the redesigned rear fascia. The concept also comes with larger rotors and six-piston calipers up front.
Outlander PHEV Ralliart’s drivetrain says best car, will be based on the 2.4-liter plug-in hybrid powerplant found in the base car. However, combined power estimates between the gasoline and hybrid powertrains add up to 286 horsepower.
Finally, the journal predicts, The Outlander PHEV Ralliart will arrive in 2024.Japanese pricing is approx. 5.5 to 6.1 million yen, which translates to $40,300 to $44,700 at current exchange rates, but we expect it to be closer to the higher end of the range.
Now that crossovers and SUVs are the de facto cars, it’s only a matter of time before mainstream brands start appealing to such everyday drivers. If Honda can make an 800-horsepower CR-V race car, a sporty Outlander seems like a no-brainer. We’ll be waiting here for the first crossover racing league.
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