Mitsubishi plots new plug-in hybrids for ASX, Pajero and Lancer Evo successors
Mitsubishi will add plug-in hybrid versions to upcoming generations of the ASX, Pajero and Lancer Evolution, aiming to broaden its electrified range from 2016 onwards.
Mitsubishi has confirmed plans to expand its plug-in hybrid range, with new electrified versions set for the next ASX, Pajero and the successor to the Lancer Evolution. The rollout will begin in 2016, as the Japanese manufacturer targets a larger share of the growing plug-in hybrid market.
The current Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has established the brand in the plug-in hybrid segment, particularly in Europe. Building on that platform, Mitsubishi will introduce a plug-in hybrid version of the next-generation ASX, expected to appear a year after the conventionally powered replacement launches in 2016. The new Pajero, scheduled for 2018, will also be offered with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. This marks the first time the large SUV will be available with electrification from launch.
Next ASX, Pajero and Lancer Evo to go hybrid
Mitsubishi's CEO Osamu Masuko has made electrification a priority for the company's future product line. The Lancer Evolution successor, which is set to shift from a performance saloon to a crossover format, will also be offered as a plug-in hybrid. The company has not detailed technical specifications or battery sizes for these models at this stage.
- ASX replacement: Plug-in hybrid variant from 2017
- Pajero replacement: Plug-in hybrid from 2018
- Lancer Evolution successor: Plug-in hybrid crossover due after 2015
The move comes as rival manufacturers expand their own plug-in hybrid offerings. Mitsubishi's experience with the Outlander PHEV, which has become one of the best-selling plug-in hybrids in its class, has given the company a technical and marketing foundation for this expansion. The company has not confirmed whether the new plug-in hybrid models will use updated versions of the Outlander’s system or new architectures.
Market impact and context
For buyers, the introduction of plug-in hybrid versions across Mitsubishi’s SUV and crossover range will offer more electrified options in segments that have seen limited choice outside premium brands. The strategy also positions Mitsubishi to respond to tightening emissions regulations and shifting consumer demand for lower running costs and tax benefits associated with plug-in hybrids.
Further details on technical specifications, pricing and market rollout for the new plug-in hybrid models are expected closer to their respective launches. Mitsubishi’s expansion follows similar moves from other manufacturers, such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, who have all announced or launched plug-in hybrid SUVs and crossovers in recent years.
For more on Mitsubishi’s current plug-in hybrid technology, see Mitsubishi Confirms Plug-in Hybrid Outlander for Next Generation.
