The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a good-looking vehicle. It’s striking, bold, purposeful in stance and, importantly, perhaps an indication that Mitsubishi might want to return to the Dakar in 2016.
The 2002 and 2003 Dakar winner, Hiroshi Masuoka, is set to take part in the Baja Portalegre 500 rally at wheel of the Outlander PHEV later this year.
Based on the production Outlander, the PHEV comes with various modifications to make it more adaptable to the conditions off-roading can throw at it. The vehicle is set to deliver more power and the systems governing the electronics have been upgraded as well. No power figures have been released, however.
Featuring a roll cage and the necessary safety equipment, the PHEV will feature higher ground clearance, longer suspension and large diameter rally tires to aid the vehicle’s performance during the gruelling Baja Portalegre 500. Mitsubishi says that the information gathered can be used on their road cars.
The Baja Portalegre 500 is attended by rally racers and fans the world over and is seen as one of the proving grounds for the demanding Dakar Rally.
So, is Mitsubishi planning on entering the Dakar Rally in 2016? We’ll have that answer come October.
