MITSUBISHI GROUND TOURER PHEV CONCEPT

The Mitsubishi Ground Tourer PHEV Concept (or “GT-PHEV”) was revealed at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

The Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept utilises MMC’s PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric) system, this time using a triple-motor layout (instead of the current twin-motor set-up). 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 powertrain further uses a 2.5-litre petrol 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.

Mitsubishi GT Phev Concept

The overall efficiency of the PHEV system has been improved for the 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 75 miles and a total cruising range of around 750 miles with a full fuel tank and fully charged battery, along with tailpipe CO2 emissions of under 26g/km.

For the GT-PHEV Concept’s high-output, high-efficiency triple motor 4WD powertrain, 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. 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. 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.