Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II revealed – looks like the new ASX

The Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II has been revealed ahead of a Geneva Motor Show debut as a 161bhp, FWD compact SUV. The next Mitsubishi ASX – probably.

[nggallery id=2059 template=customlinks]

Last month, Mitsubishi gave us a bit of a tease for a new, compact PHEV SUV heading for a debut at the Geneva Motor Show, and this is it – the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II, an evolution of 2013’s XR PHEV Concept.

Mitsubishi are saying that this new concept is expected to be their second PHEV (after the Outlander PHEV) so it’s clear this is a pretty good look at the next Mitsubishi ASX (or Outlander Sport in other markets).

In terms of styling, we’d expect some of the design to be toned down from the usual concept extremes, but even then the ASX to be should be an appealing compact SUV, with a striking front end and fashionable swoopy roofline.

Under the skin, unlike the Outlander PHEV, the XR-PHEV II is a front-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid, with a hybrid powertrain with a high output electric motor and conventional ICE engine delivering 161bhp, storing energy in a 12kWh battery bank and promising emissions of under 40g/km (which means official economy of around 190mpg, assuming a diesel ICE engine).

The PHEV system uses driving conditions and remaining electric charge to work out the best hybrid mode to use – all-electric, series hybrid and parallel hybrid modes – with a focus on using electric power whenever possible in all-electric mode with the ICE acting as a generator.

The Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II gets its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week and looks likely to turn in to the 2016 ASX/Outlander Sport.