Prior to the Chicago Auto Show Mitsubishi promised the “return of a legend.” As we predicted, it was the North American debut of the GC-PHEV concept first seen at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Mitsubishi unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show a full-size plug-in hybrid electric SUV that augurs the direction of the next Pajero. Americans might know it by the name Montero, but there are no solid plans for a resurrection of that model and the GC-PHEV is strictly a concept at this point.
The most notable thing about the vehicle is its imposing design, marked by large flared fenders and squared-off wheel arches. In person, it towers over lesser cars and even most SUVs. Mitsubishi says it wants to appear both intimidating and stately at the same time.
Power comes from a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with Mitsubishis’s MIVEC valve timing system mated to an electric motor and 8-speed transmission. The idea is that the instantaneous torque from the electric motor can not only save fuel, but help when the vehicle needs to scale an incline or tow a trailer.
Power gets distributed through a full-time 4WD system via front and center limited-slip differentials. Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution-derived four-wheel management and active yaw control electronically proportions the torque delivered to each wheel. The battery, located under the cargo area, can generate 1500 watts and has a standard outlet 100-volt Japanese outlet that can power the average household up to one day running alone, or 13 days if the engine is used to charge the battery.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a Tokyo Motor Show concept if it didn’t have a few far out technologies to showcase. As such, the GC-PHEV has an augmented reality windshield that displays route guidance and warnings for a variety of safety issues, such as lane departure or pedestrians jumping out in front of the car.
The interior is dominated by a surfboard-sized touch-screen dividing the cabin lengthwise along the center. It syncs with smartphones for a smorgasbord of features like shared trip planning. It’s a safe bet it won’t carry over to any potential production versions, much like its B-pillar-less suicide doors.
Live images by Ben Hsu.
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