We’ve known about it for many months, but Mitsubishi has finally unveiled the production version of the 2013 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. 

Referred to by Mitsubishi as being a ‘no-compromise’ vehicle, the Outlander PHEV is a series-parallel, full hybrid, crossover SUV, complete with a 12 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, and 2.0-liter gasoline engine. 

Thanks to twin 60-kilowatt electric motors, one mounted on each axle, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV offers all-wheel electric drive and an impressive total of 245 foot pounds of torque in electric-only mode. 

Like most full-hybrids, the Outlander PHEV can operate in several modes; all-electric, series hybrid, and parallel hybrid.

In all-electric mode, Mitsubishi claims a range of up to 35 miles and a top speed of 75 mph.

We should note, however, that the range figures quoted by Mitsubishi have been calculated using the Japanese JC08 test-cycle. We suspect that the Outlander PHEV’s real-world all-electric range will be somewhere between 20 and 25 miles when it undergoes the tougher EPA tests.

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

In series hybrid mode, used when the on-board battery pack is low and extra power is needed for acceleration, the 2.0-liter engine is used to power a 70-kW on-board generator, which then provides electricity to power both motors, and recharge the on-board battery pack. 

In parallel hybrid mode, the gasoline engine provides primary motive force, while the front and rear electric motors provide additional power and torque when needed. 

When it comes to recharging, the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV can be charged in under 4 hours using a conventional, level 2 charging station, or charged from empty to 80 percent full in under 30 minutes using a compatible rapid charge station. 

The battery pack can also be recharged from the gasoline engine by engaging the car's charge-sustaining or battery charge function.

While the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander will be offered around the world with various powertrains, including gasoline and diesel ones, it’s worth noting that the 2013 Outlander PHEV isn’t a conversion of an existing model. 

That’s because the Mitsubishi Outlander has been given a ground-up rebuild for the 2013 model year. 

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

And that means, like the 2012 Ford Focus, that Mitsubishi designed and built the car to accommodate a variety of powertrains, including plug-in hybrid. 

The result is the world’s first production plug-in hybrid SUV, with the same load bay space and passenger carrying capabilities as non-electric Outlanders. 

Sadly, there are no specific launch dates, or prices for the U.S. market, but we’ll be sure to bring you more details about this important car as soon as we can.

In the meantime, be sure to bookmark our Paris Auto Show page for the latest green car news from Paris.

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