The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV is described as the perfect cross between fuel-free, around-town driving and high-performance, open-road adventure.
Here is an SUV with an excellent pedigree; its second-generation drivetrain hailing from the Mitsubishi Outlander.
This comprises a 2.4-litre, 94kW/199Nm petrol engine (ICE) with twin electric motors, effectively making the Eclipse Cross a four-wheel-drive with a drive selector to enhance performance on tarmac, snow, gravel, surfaces or while driving in normal and Eco modes.
This is assisted still further with the incorporation of Super All Wheel Control.
The system dramatically improves the handling and stability of a vehicle by continuously and seamlessly controlling vehicle movements during accelerating, cornering and braking without giving drivers a sense of discomfort.
Mitsubishi’s PHEV Eclipse Cross will do all it can to stay in EV mode for the longest time – the 13.8kWh Lithium-Ion battery giving a range of up to 55kms of pure electric range and up to 650km combined.
Intelligently, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross can operate in both Series hybrid and Parallel hybrid modes.
In Series hybrid mode, the petrol engine is used to generate electric power.
Parallel hybrid mode however allows the electric motor to assist the petrol engine to maximise fuel efficiency.
Fortunately for most drivers looking to do their environmental bit, the Eclipse Cross PHEV is clever enough to switch between modes automatically.
The result is a posted fuel figure of 1.6 litres per 100km fuel consumption and a CO2 output of 43gms per km of CO2, a reduction from the conventional Eclipse Cross of around 75 percent.
There is a lot of Outlander in the Eclipse Cross, which comes as no surprise since Outlander – and more relevantly Outlander PHEV – has been a success for Mitsubishi since the battery-equipped version made its debut in 2014.
Back then, electric charging infrastructure was extremely limited but today, with some 250 fast charging stations set up around the country, an Eclipse Cross can be topped up from 0 to 80 percent in about 25 minutes.
Home charging is an option, with the battery requiring about seven hours.
Eclipse Cross PHEV comes in two specification grades the XLS and VRX, though the differences are not as diverse as they are with other Mitsubishi product. Indeed, the XLS could be considered an XLS Premium, given its close appointment to the VRX.
Obvious visual differences include an opening dual sunroof for the VRX model which enjoys gloss black finishing garnishes over the silver finish and standard black external highlights and grille of the XLS.
The VRX model’s not-so-obvious upgrades include: leather seats (as opposed to cloth with synthetic leather trim) adaptive cruise control over standard cruise control, an auto dimming mirror, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats in addition to heated front ones, front and rear parking sensors, a multi around view monitor and heads up display.
Both XLS and VRX models incorporate Forward Collision Mitigation, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist all of which contribute to the five-star ANCAP safety rating.
In addition, both models are equipped with Mitsubishi’s eight-inch Smartphone Link Display Audio to enable Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity as well as voice recognition and satellite navigation functionality.
For convenience and demonstrating how up to the minute the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV truly is, you can download an app for your smartphone which will allow you to remotely preheat or cool the cabin, defrost the windscreen, and program a timing mechanism for off-peak power charging.
As well as its special introductory pricing and the $5750 Clean Car rebate, the Eclipse Cross is covered by Mitsubishi’s 10 year / 160,000km powertrain warranty while the battery is covered with an eight-year / 160,000km warranty.
