A high-performance, production version of Mitsubishi’s Outlander Plug-In Hybrid EV (PHEV)-based Vision Ralliart Concept is reportedly set to launch in 2024.
As reported by Japanese publication Best Car Web, this sporty Outlander PHEV will produce more power and not just be a sticker pack like the Thai-market Ralliart editions of the Triton and Pajero Sport.
Power will reportedly come from “tuned” version of the regular Outlander PHEV’s plug-in hybrid powertrain which consists of a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors.
Best Car Web reports the Outlander PHEV Ralliart will have a total system output of more than 200kW of power.
Mitsubishi doesn’t supply a total system output for the regular Outlander PHEV, but the petrol engine produces 98kW of power and 195Nm of torque, the front electric motor produces 85kW and 255Nm, and the rear electric motor produces 100kW and 195Nm.
It’s unclear if the Japanese carmaker plans to alter the regular Outlander PHEV’s 20kWh battery pack. The Vision Ralliart Concept came with “enhanced battery capacity”, though it didn’t disclose how much larger it is.
Beyond the powertrain changes, the Outlander PHEV Ralliart will reportedly receive chassis modifications and retuned suspension to create a sportier drive experience. It’ll also reportedly have enhanced aerodynamic elements.
The Vision Ralliart Concept came with “sportier” four-wheel control tuning, and “large disc brakes” with six-piston calipers. Covering these brakes were 22-inch dark alloy wheels with a slotted, aero-esque design.
The concept also had a wavy-looking bodykit with a wider stance thanks to flared wheel arches.
The production Outlander PHEV Ralliart will reportedly measure in at 4810mm long, 1880mm wide, and 1748mm tall with a 2705mm wheelbase. This is around 100mm longer and 20mm wider than the regular Outlander PHEV.
Best Car Web estimates the high-performance Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Ralliart will cost between ¥5.5-6.1 million (~$A60,000-66,000) in Japan.
The current flagship Outlander PHEV Exceed Tourer costs $69,990 before on-road costs for reference, so if it does come to Australia expect it to command a price premium.
In September 2021, Mitsubishi Australia head of product strategy Owen Wilson told CarExpert he was keen on a local return of Ralliart, with some strings attached.
“We’d love to see Ralliart come back but if it comes back we want it in a particular way,” said Mr Wilson.
“It has heritage and there’s memory in the market.”
Ralliart’s history as a high-performance and motorsport development arm for Mitsubishi includes crowning achievements like various iterations of Lancer Evos made famous with Tommi Mäkinen.
It recently showed off its partially stock Ralliart Triton AXCR that nabbed a debut victory in the 2022 Asia Cross Country Rally.
Mitsubishi has a mixed bag when it comes to delivering on concepts: The 2019 Engelberg Tourer manifested as the new Outlander and the 2015 Concept XR-PHEV II gave at least a hint towards the Eclipse Cross.
On the other hand the 2017 e-Evolution Concept, which seems spiritually similar to the Vision Ralliart Concept due to its ‘sportiness’, never went anywhere as Mitsubishi was soon hit by financial woes that saw Nissan become its majority stakeholder.
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