Mitsubishi Motors has unveiled the restyled Eclipse Cross SUV which will be available in a plug-in hybrid variant in Australia and New Zealand in 2021.
The new Eclipse Cross will hit markets in an ICE configuration starting in November for Australia and New Zealand, and in the first quarter of 2021 for the United States.
However, it was news of a plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) model which was most interesting, not least of all that there are currently no plans to introduce the PHEV Eclipse Cross to the US market.
Following on the heels of the world’s best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle, Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV, the new Eclipse Cross PHEV uses the same twin-motor 4WD PHEV system with necessary modifications to accommodate the size and weight of the Eclipse Cross chassis.
Consisting of one front and one rear high-power electric motor, a large capacity drive battery, and a 2.4-litre MIVEC engine with a single-speed planetary gearbox, the 2022 Eclipse Cross PHEV will provide drivers a quick and silent drive with powerful acceleration.
Mitsubishi’s newest PHEV comes with three automatically selected driving modes to suit various conditions, including EV, Series Hybrid, or Parallel Hybrid.
The Eclipse Cross’s traction battery can also be used as a reliable source of electricity output for outdoor leisure or in emergencies. Able to supply up to 1,500-watts of power from on-board outlets, when fully charged and fuelled, the Eclipse Cross can supply power to a general household for up to 10 days via its Vehicle-to-Home system.
Pre-orders begin immediately but full price and specifications will be released in November.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.