NEW OUTLANDER PHEV TAKES ON BAJA PORTALEGRE 500 CHALLENGE

TOKYO, June 18, 2015 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) is to enter an Outlander PHEV, the only twin-motor 4WD in production today, in the Baja Portalegre 500 cross-country rally due to be held in the Portalegre municipality in the eastern part of Portugal October 22 through October 24 this year.

The race vehicle will be driven by Mr. Hiroshi Masuoka of MMC who won the Dakar Rally two years in succession in 2002 and 2003. Mr. Masuoka also will be playing a role as the team captain. The team competing in the Baja Portalegre challenge mainly is constructed and led by MMC personnel including the team manager and technical director Mr. Yasuo Tanaka, Expert from EV Component Research Department, Development Engineering Office and engineering supports by four engineers from his department.

Since its inception in 1987, the Baja Portalegre 500, which celebrates its 29th edition this year, is a cross-country rally organized by the Portuguese Automobile Association. Contestants will be driving approximately 500 kilometers mainly at the high speed over rather flat but dirt roads. The course provides the arena for the 9th Round of the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup and is known as an event in which rally aces from over the world participate each year as a warm-up to the Dakar Rally, the world's most punishing event of its type. This competition is organized in three categories - automobile, motor bike and quad – with over 300 vehicles expected to take part.

Based on the production model but with modifications required for a rally car, the Outlander PHEV has been entered by MMC to promote development of EV and 4WD technologies. It uses the production model's drive battery – which forms the heart of a plug-in hybrid vehicle – but with modifications to its structure to realize greater capacity and output. The control system governing the motors has been modified to deliver a higher output. In addition, the generator and engine which supply power to the battery and motors have been modified to increase power output and boost overall system performance.

As to the body, in addition to the fitting of a roll cage and other safety equipment, off-road performance has been improved in order to take full advantage of the upgraded PHEV system. Detail changes include a higher ground clearance and longer suspension stroke together with larger diameter rally tires. These changes will enhance the Outlander PHEV's performance limits under punishing rally conditions and the valuable data gathered during the event will be fed back into the development of production cars.

In addition to the Baja Portalegre 500, MMC will be providing support, as it has done in 2013 and 2014, in the form of vehicle construction, vehicle provision and an engineering team to the Two & Four Motor Sports team which is entering an Outlander PHEV in the FIA Asia Cross Country Rally 2015 slated to be held from August 8 through August 14, starting in Thailand.

The Asia Cross Country Rally 2015 celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Entrants will have to compete over a punishing 2,500km and mountainous route which starts and finishes in the ancient city of Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. For this event where the same specification Outlander PHEV competing in the Baja Partalegre 500 will be used, the Two & Four Motor Sports team will be aiming to have finish among the winners, on the back of knowhow gained in the last two years.

MITSUBISHI 4WD. TRIED AND TRUSTED IN ALL CONDITIONS

When it comes to 4x4, Mitsubishi is the unrivalled leader in the field - in fact in any field.
And whether you want interior luxury or versatility, off-road pulling power or an effective crossover for the urban jungle, the full range is on offer at Mitsubishi’s dealer of the year - Devonshire Motors. 

The multi-award winning Barnstaple-based Mitsubishi dealership knows the conditions its West Country customers have to deal with, and can provide the ideal vehicle to meet any challenge.

When the going gets really tough it’s time to call on the rugged L200, the market leading, go-anywhere pick-up – with the all-new, updated version due at the Braunton Road showroom this summer.

While featuring improvements as a work vehicle, it has been developed as ‘the ultimate sport utility truck’ and to provide an interior space with comfort levels on a par with a passenger model.

Nathan Tomlinson, Dealer Principal at Devonshire Motors, said: ‘We’re extremely excited about the all-new L200 and know it will go down well here, because it’s perfect for north Devon. The L200 was already an iconic pick-up but the bar has been raised considerably with the updated version. The flip side to a new model release of course is the ability to give really excellent value for money on the existing model,and although the 2 versions are planned to run side by side for 12 months we are able to offer some really attractive deals to anyone looking to change right now.’

Mitsubishi has sold more than 130,000 L200s in the UK since the pick-up’s launch in 1987 – accounting for 20 per cent of the overall pick-up market – and 1.3 million worldwide. The L200 range comes with the longest warranty of any pick-up in the UK – five years or 125,000 miles. It is also available with a three-year fixed-price service plan at and a range of finance options designed to provide affordable flexibility.

Also at the pinnacle of 4x4 performance is the Shogun, combining true off-road capability and an effortless 3,500kg towing capacity with interior luxury and top end saloon-like style and specification.

Though it is more than three decades since the Shogun redefined the 4x4 motoring experience, continuous evolution has kept the model at the top of its game, with the latest including Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD system providing four driving modes, active stability and traction controls, and a clean, economical 3.2L direct injection diesel engine.

For those looking for versatility across the rural and urban range, both the Outlander and ASX are capable crossover family vehicles, each with on-demand 4WD when needed.

The Outlander combines room for all the family – some variants offer 7 seats – with a sure-footed ability to leave the beaten track when the mood strikes. Meanwhile, the arrival of the all-new Outlander Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) last year has generated huge levels of public interest driven by the vehicle’s outstanding fuel consumption (148mpg) and low emission credentials (44g/km).

Rounding out the 4x4 range the ASX provides everything a driver could want in an urban crossover. Strong, capable and spacious it is also ready to take on the city streets.

Standing for ‘Active Sports Crossover’, the ASX lives up to its name and bridges the gap between Mitsubishi’s refined passenger cars and its legendary off-roaders. Marketed under the ‘Adventure Advanced’ banner it combines rugged SUV practicality with a sleek compact design. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi 4x4s are going from strength to strength, with the latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) June sales figures showing the iconic Shogun up 425%, low-emission diesel Outlander up 110%, the ASX up 92% and the L200 up by 24%.

To find out more about the Mitsubishi range of 4x4’s, or indeed the ‘none 4x4’ range of vehicles visit www.devonshire-motors.co.uk or call into the dealership on Braunton Road EX31 1LQ.