Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept (2016)

The Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept rides on five double-spoke large alloy wheels. Wrapped by the large sculptured double-edged wheel arches, they share the same ingot-carved look of the high sills, adding to the solid stance of the car on the road.

Horizontal

For Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept, Mitsubishi Motors' designers have developed an interior theme which combines refined Japanese craftsmanship and intuitive ergonomics.

For the latter, they decided to introduce a new theme which is that of a horizontal dashboard. This innovative layout provides a forward panoramic vision, creating an airy and open feel which will visually widen the interior space. The straight-through chrome accent will assist the driver in intuitively sensing changes in body attitude when driving off road.

On the ergonomic front, shift and terrain selectors use a rotary design that makes them easier to operate when driving off road and, similar to other controls, they are finished in silver to make them immediately identifiable and easier to locate.

The centrally-located instrument cluster uses an intelligent display that provides vehicle and engine speed, energy flow and other basic vehicular information. The display can be switched to a navigation mode that connects to information networks to provide route information and information on entertainment available at the destination.

Monitors on either side of the cluster use cameras and serve as side mirrors to show the view behind the vehicle. A heads-up-display at the bottom of the windscreen presents vehicle speed and the minimum navigational data required, improving safety by reducing the need for the driver to look away from their usual viewpoints.

Last but not least, to dress up this contemporary high quality interior bathing in the light of the panoramic glass roof, MMC designers selected a two-tone burgundy/black fine leather covering dashboard, centre console, door trim panels and seats, with a silver accent stitching coordinated with the controls and switches.

High-mobility

Building upon its industry-leading electric and all-wheel control technologies, Mitsubishi Motors aims to move the SUV genre to new territories.

As tangible evidence of this ambition, GT-PHEV Concept utilises MMC's advanced and proprietary PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric) system, this time using a triple-motor layout (instead of the current twin-motor set-up). It also boasts a connected car technology which helps extract the performance of these to the maximum, to empower drivers of all abilities to follow their chosen line under different road surface conditions with assurance and thereby experience real driving pleasure.

PHEV System

The Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept uses a new plug-in hybrid electric system specifically developed for a top-end all-round SUV.

Building upon the successful formula inaugurated with Outlander PHEV, it includes:

• A 25 kWh high energy density, next-generation high-capacity battery package is mounted under the floor.
• A triple-motor system uses three compact, high output and high efficiency motors with integral Silicone Carbide (SiC) frequency inverters, one fitted at the front and two at the rear. This extends the speed range in which the car is driven by the motors alone.
• The power-train further uses a 2.5L pretol engine designed for PHEV usage. In Series Drive Mode, when it acts as a generator, the engine runs at a high thermal efficiency. The engine size has been optimised for use in Parallel Drive Mode and with a two-speed front transaxle delivers good energy efficiency and acceleration. The system selects the high reduction ratio gear for better fuel economy when driving at higher speeds under normal circumstances, and the low reduction ratio gear for better acceleration when climbing a gradient or overtaking.

Furthermore, the overall efficiency of the PHEV system has been improved for GT-PHEV Concept including, amongst others:

• Structural rationalisation and weight reduction.
• Drag reduction through the use of automatic grille shutters.
• Vehicle speed-sensitive adaptive suspension that controls ride height.

As a result, the concept car achieves an electric-only range of 120km and a total cruising range of over 1,200km with a full fuel tank and fully-charged battery, while tailpipe CO2emissions of under 26 g/km allow Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept to top the plug-in hybrid segment.

4WD System

For Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept's high-output, high-efficiency triple motor 4WD power-train, electric motive power is supplied to the front wheels by a single 90 kW motor, and to the rear wheels by two 45 kW motors.

The drivetrain also employs MMC's Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrated vehicle dynamics control system. Comprising Active Front Differential (AFD), which controls torque split between the front wheels, electric Active Yaw Control (AYC) at the rear and Active Stability Control (ASC), S-AWC brings dramatic improvements to the car's acceleration, cornering and braking:

• The triple-motor four-wheel drive powertrain sees a significant improvement in front and rear wheel torque response. And with the electric vehicle's inherent characteristic of developing maximum torque from standstill, the powertrain delivers exhilarating performance. The AFD regulates front drive torque split to improve cornering performance. It also improves vehicle stability by suppressing wheel spin and transmission of effective traction on dirt roads, snow-covered and other slippery surfaces.
• The electric AYC regulates the output of the two rear motors and generates a torque differential between the rear wheels as required by surface conditions. This generates a yaw moment that improves cornering capability and also helps to create a level of agile and feel-good handling that would seem improbable for a car of its size. When one wheel starts to lose grip and cannot transmit traction properly to the road surface, the AYC generates an amplitude of torque exceeding that from a single motor at the other wheel to maintain and improve traction performance.
• ASC operates when the system detects any instability and regulates the braking force at each wheel, and motor and engine output to stabilise the body attitude and ensure tolerant and reassuring handling and driving stability for changes in road surface or inappropriate driver inputs.

Mitsubishi Motors' proprietary S-AWC controls the behaviour of all four wheels through integral management of the AFD, electric AYC and ASC systems, allowing the driver to accelerate, corner and brake in a way faithful to their intent and delivering outstanding vehicle stability beyond anything they have experienced before with confidence.

Connected Car Technology

By making good use of information obtained through telecommunication, in-car sensors and cameras, the Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept takes the environmental performance of the PHEV system as well as the triple-motor 4WD drive-train's dynamic performance to new levels. As a result, the driver enjoys enhanced motoring pleasure, reassurance and confidence.

As an illustration, when the driver enters the destination into the on-board navigation system, connected car technology searches for information about the weather, temperature, topography, roads and surface conditions expected enroute. On this basis, it provides optimal energy management and thereby contributes to better fuel economy.

In addition, optimal and automatic control of the triple-motor four-wheel drive drivetrain's front/rear, left/right torque split enables safer, more comfortable motoring.

And by regulating suspension damping when rough surfaces are encountered, it always provides the optimal ride and achieves the best balance between safety and easy driving.