Mitsubishi XR-PHEV II Hybrid Crossover Concept

Mitsubishi has brought a new plug-in hybrid crossover concept to the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, which the automaker says hints at its future direction, both in terms of styling and technology. The concept is called the “XR-PHEV II” and both its name and appearance make it obvious the vehicle is an evolution of the XR-PHEV concept that we first saw at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. Like the original XR-PHEV, the new XR-PHEV II in Geneva is almost certainly a preview of the next-generation Outlander Sport.

Mitsubishi XR-PHEV II Hybrid Crossover Concept

Why the interest in a concept that previews a new Outlander Sport? Because Mitsubishi has also shown us a version of the previous XR-PHEV with the Evolution name tagged on, and this performance-oriented crossover concept, complete with S-AWC all-wheel drive, an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and plug-in hybrid power, may just be a preview of the car that will eventually succeed the Lancer Evolution, which is bowing out of the market this year.

The setup fitted to the XR-PHEV II concept appearing in Geneva is a more mundane system destined for a plug-in hybrid version of the new Outlander Sport. It combines a small gasoline engine with an electric motor, and powers the front wheels only. A 12-kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged up at home or on the run thanks to an energy recovery system.

Mitsubishi XR-PHEV II Hybrid Crossover Concept

The 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 electric-only, gasoline-only and hybrid modes.

Mitsubishi XR-PHEV II Hybrid Crossover Concept

As for the concept’s styling, it features Mitsubishi’s future design themes such as taut surfaces and strong character lines that cut sharply into the sides of the vehicle. The front face is said to represent a shield while at the rear the designers have installed high-mount tail-lamps for improved rear visibility.

For the cockpit, the layout was made to functionally enhance the driver’s focus with controls concentrated in the center console and in the steering wheel. There is also an aluminum frame that spreads out from the center console to give a sense of strength. A display mounted to the top of the dash is for infotainment, while vital info for the driver is displayed in two screens mounted either side of a central speedo in the instrument cluster.

There’s no word yet on when we might see a new Outlander Sport with plug-in hybrid power, but Mitsubishi’s first plug-in hybrid model, the larger Outlander Plug-In Hybrid, is expected to reach these shores in the first half of 2016.