Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer Concept Unveiled

The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer concept unveiled at the Geneva auto show on Tuesday looks a lot like the preview of a replacement for Mitsubishi’s bestselling model, the Outlander. The Engelberg Tourer concept is a plug-in hybrid SUV similar in function if not in size to the Outlander PHEV, which was once the bestselling plug-in vehicle in Europe.

Its plug-in battery offers almost twice the range of the Outlander PHEV, at 69km estimated on the European WLTP drive cycle. Given other electric cars’ WLTP and EPA range ratings, that could equate to between 35 and 40 miles in U.S. testing.

The Engelberg concept, named after a famous Swiss ski resort, has been designed as an elegant and functional all-purpose crossover SUV  for a more active type of lifestyle,” Mitsubishi said in releasing the concept. With three rows of seats, the Engelberg Tourer has “generous cabin space” with an emphasis on comfort, and functionality, the company said.

Having three rows of seats in the plug-in hybrid SUV is a major update from the Outlander PHEV. Although the gas-powered Outlander is available with three rows, its plug-in battery takes up the space of the folded third-row seat in other Outlanders.

The concept comes with a roof-top storage box that opens and closes automatically (a big boon to anyone who has used one), with fog-lights built in.

The Engelberg is powered by a 2.4-liter I-4 and, as with the Outlander PHEV, it uses a series hybrid electric all-wheel-drive system with an electric motor powering the rear wheels solo, and the front motor and batteries backed up by the gas engine, which can run in series as a generator for the electric drive system or can clutch in on the highway for greater efficiency.