Mitsubishi hasn't offered a large sport-utility vehicle in the United States since 2006, when we said goodbye to the Montero. That could all change soon, thanks to the full-size plug-in hybrid SUV Concept GC-PHEV that Mitsubishi unveiled today at the Chicago auto show.
The Concept GC-PHEV follows another concept that Mitsubishi teased at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Show and the XR-PHEV that was on hand at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. This one features a 335-horsepower supercharged V-6 engine paired with an electric motor, with power routed an 8-speed automatic transmission. Even more interestingly, the SUV hybrid is also a plug-in, and one that offers all-wheel drive.
A new feature incorporated in the Concept GC-PHEV is the Tactical Table, a unique information system that makes connected car technology an experience available for all occupants, not just one person. Place your smartphone on the Tactical Table, and you can share, collect, or exchange information with others inside the Concept GC-PHEV using the vehicle's communication system. Neat.
A high-capacity, main drive lithium-ion battery pack on the Mitsubishi concept SUV can also act as a mobile power source. The onboard electrical outlet can deliver an external power supply of 1500 watts of electrical energy. The new vehicle can supply the equivalent of a day's worth of electrical power consumption to the average household.
Mitsubishi has not said if the Concept GC-PHEV will hit mass production yet, although its current lineup—starved for product—would benefit from a cool infusion like this one.
The Chicago auto show media preview is happening this week. Stay with us for up-to-the-minute coverage of all the action, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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