Mitsubishi Motors Introduces New Flagship PHEV

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross surprised everyone didn’t it? Once known as a sports car, the Mitsubishi Eclipse, there were some racing fans that didn’t like the fact that one of their favorites was coming back as a crossover. It was, at least in the first year, a huge disappointment. That tune quickly changed the following year as reviews about the Eclipse Cross and what it can offer consumers started to appear on the internet. Selling nearly 20,000 units in 2019, it was a better year for the crossover, and as it returns for the new model year, the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has found itself, produced with changes in appearance and features. The automaker is so confident, a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross plug-in hybrid is currently in the works.

So, here’s the thing – Mitsubishi Motors finally broke its silence in late June 2021 about the rumors surrounding a revival of the Lancer Evolution series, a rally car the automaker became popular for. The signs were there for a return with Mitsubishi reopening Ralliart , the team responsible for the Lancer Evolution, and releasing concept art for the never-before-seen rally car, the Mitsubishi Starion 4WD . And yet, during a shareholders’ meeting, but the automaker confirmed that Mitsubishi Motors is focused on electric vehicle development .

With that being said, Mitsubishi Motors has played with the idea of replacing the Outlander PHEV for the last few years. First, it was the Engelberg Tourer at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show , and the Mi-TECH at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. Both great candidates that have completely vanished since. A new model is expected from Mitsubishi Motors, but while the automaker seeks more green options for its lineup, following the same route as the Outlander may be a wise move for the Eclipse Cross while its popularity is still growing. Designing a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant of a popular vehicle is a common move for automakers these days, with some adding electrified versions of entire lineups.

Mitsubishi Motors has also stated that the new Eclipse Cross plug-in would become the new flagship of the brand. Now that’s a large change, but it’s a testament to what the automaker has its sights on for future models. The Mitsubishi Outlander used to be the flagship model, the SUV Mitsubishi was known for, but now is the time to embrace the change and make use of resources within the Alliance to propel the Eclipse Cross plug-in forward.

Speaking of using resources, Mitsubishi and Renault are going to be working much more closely within the Alliance over the next few years. Currently figuring things out, Mitsubishi Motors nearly ended all sales in the UK market before deciding to stick to specific regions within the European market while rebranding. Two help the automaker along, Renault will be producing two sister models for Mitsubishi. Earlier thought to be rebadged versions of the popular Renault model “Clio” , it has now been stated that Renault will be building two new models for Mitsubishi Motors to sell in Europe, specifically in Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. Meant to enrich and add to the lineup, these models will be smaller than the upcoming Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in, and they won’t be revealed until 2023.Want to keep an eye on what’s new for Mitsubishi Motors? Follow us on Miami Lakes Automall Mitsubishi social media for all the latest updates. Or, find out why the Eclipse Cross is so popular with a test drive.

Photo Source/Copyright: Mitsubishi Motors

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