insideKENT Magazine Issue 45 - December 2015 | Page 157

On the outside, the new Outlander
PHEV is the first execution of
Mitsubishi’s new SUV design
direction – ‘Dynamic Shield’. The
exterior styling was first revealed
as a concept at the Paris Motor
Show 2014.
The ‘Dynamic Shield’ embodies
the functionality and reassuring
safety inherent in Mitsubishi SUVs.
The front-end design carries the
Mitsubishi Three Diamond mark
with bold chromed streaks on either
side. The three-dimensional effect
provides a further suggestion of
motion. Slim wraparound LED
headlamps (with 12-chip LED day
running lights) sweep gently up and
outwards, contributing to that
sense of dynamism. At the rear
there is a new illumination design.
Beyond ‘Dynamic Shield’, the car
has been given a lower, leaner and
wider look, thanks in part to a
reshaping of the bumpers. Other
finely engineered details include a
piano-black finish to the front fog
lamp bezels, and 18-inch two tone
spoke-design alloy wheels, which
give a more substantial look to the
vehicle.
New Outlander PHEV is longer than
its predecessor by 40mm
(4,695mm). Three new colours are
also available: Orient Red, Granite
Brown and Ruby Black. A sharkfin antenna is incorporated in the
roof line and there is now a secure

there are fewer buttons
and improved software.
Improvements to the
powered rear door see it
open higher and with a
single beep. The gear
display has been
repositioned to appear at
the base of the gear stick.

charge-point cover linked to the
central locking. For a more refined
exterior look, New Outlander PHEV
also features silver roof rails as well
as clean chrome accents on the
sills.
Inside, style, refinement and
improved specification are reflected
in the company’s most Europeaninspired interior ever, with new
features, safety technologies and
equipment.

Mitsubishi is known as a
manufacturer that puts
safety first. The new
Outlander PHEV has a
360-degree camera that
provides an invaluable
overhead view of the car.
Other safety features include Mitsubishi’s Unintended Acceleration Mitigation
System. This prevents accidental acceleration from a stationary position –
whether forward or reverse. The Lane Departure Warning System does not
activate below 40mph and vehicle momentum changes caused by level
five (B4) and six (B5) regenerative braking now trigger the brake lights.

Upholstery takes finer and sportier
natural leather, adding greater levels
of padding and comfort and a new
silver stitching design. As an
alternative, temperature-reactive
‘C-Tec’ seat material is available.
It stays cool in summer but
maintains its warmth in winter by
reflecting UV rays.

Sharper acceleration by two whole seconds to 25mph really underlines
Mitsubishi’s feel for how exhilarating hybrid technology should be. There
are also improvements in the areas of ride and handling, NVH and powertrain
efficiency.

Interior surfaces and the new centre
console are finished with black ash
design and chrome accents.
Switches are soft-touch while air
conditioning is dual-zone. Ambient
lighting floods the floor area and
centre console bin. An all-new fourspoke heated steering wheel, with
a thick high-grip rim, fine leather
trim and multiple control switches,
completes the cabin experience.

At the front, there is a stiffer front suspension cross-member for a much
more accurate steering response, handling stability and ride quality. The
spring rate and front strut damping have been optimised to suit the muchreinforced body and suspension. In addition, the electric power steering
has been adjusted for more linearity, rigidity, lower friction and better
feedback.
At the rear, the cylinder size of the rear shock absorbers has been increased
to enhance both handling stability and ride comfort. Again, the spring rate
and damping have been optimi 6VBF