Not all the cars that caught our attention at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 are brand new models. There are those that we reckon might have potential in the local market, as well as those that are just, well, interesting.
One of the models that made us curious is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. Yes, we know the Eclipse Cross has been around for quite some time already, but it's worth a second look, nonetheless.
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The Eclipse Cross saw a minor model change in late 2021 and has gained minor improvements since. However, we think it's the plug-in hybrid version that deserves to be sold locally. Granted, it won't be a huge seller, but it's a great addition should Mitsubishi Motors Philippines a.) decide not to bring in the Outlander PHEV, and b.) expand its electrified portfolio.
Specs? It uses a twin-motor system, effectively giving it all-wheel drive. The engine on the other hand is a 2.4-liter Atkinson Cycle mill. There are no official combined output numbers for it, but the gas-fed engine makes 123hp while the electric motors produce 80hp each. With numbers like that, we reckon it'll have responsive acceleration with 0 to 100kph times in the mid 8-second to 9-second range.
Other things you need to know? It uses a 138kWh battery, giving it an electric range of around 60km. It also has a 1,500-watt 100V AC on-board outlet that can be used to power appliances and, well, an entire house using a V2H6 device. Mitsubishi says the vehicle can power a household for up to 10 days, provided it has a full charge and a full tank of fuel.
In Japan, there are five variants available for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, all of which have all-wheel drive. The range kicks off at ¥3,863,200, all the way to ¥4,650,800. In local currency, that's a price spread of around P1,470,000 to P1,770,000.
All things considered, that's not bad at all for a plug-in hybrid. If Mitsubishi Motors Philippines wants to spread the word of its plug-in hybrid technologies to a bigger audience, the Eclipse Cross might be a good place to start.
