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A more durable, off-road targeted model of the favored Mitsubishi Outlander will go into manufacturing in late 2026, focusing on patrons within the US – nevertheless it may additionally be part of the Australian lineup.
The Outlander is the Japanese auto model’s best-selling mannequin in each North America and Australia, the place it outsells rivals such because the Nissan X-Path and Hyundai Tucson within the mid-size SUV phase led by the Toyota RAV4.
Mitsubishi confirmed the extra rugged Outlander variant in an announcement accompanied by a single picture of its future US mannequin lineup, together with two autos saved beneath wraps – one in all which is the brand new Outlander off-roader.
Mitsubishi Australia has not confirmed the mannequin for native showrooms.
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In response to earlier Automotive Information studies, Mitsubishi pitched the brand new mannequin to its US sellers as “Subaru Outback-like”.
The Outback – launched in 1994 and now a core mannequin in Subaru’s vary – was initially based mostly on the Subaru Liberty station wagon, that includes further trip top and exterior physique cladding together with wider wheel-arches, amongst different modifications.
The Outback has since morphed right into a extra typical ‘massive’ SYV, however the unique established a style which was joined by comparable crossover wagon fashions together with the Volvo V70 XC (1997) and Audi Allroad (2000).
This means the extra rugged Outlander will a minimum of deliver off-road themed styling parts together with more durable bumpers, plus elevated floor clearance, off-road wheels and tyres, and maybe roof racks.
Mitsubishi has not confirmed any particulars corresponding to powertrains – the Outlander is at the moment out there with petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) energy – nor what sort of value premium it could cost.
The turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine used within the Eclipse Cross has been confirmed for the 2026 Outlander within the US, changing the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine additionally supplied right here.
In response to CarandDriver, Mitsubishi stated the brand new Outlander off-roader will take a step additional than the Path Version model it supplied within the US earlier this yr.
The prevailing Path Version affords largely beauty modifications, however the 2026 model will reportedly include distinctive upgrades which can allow, as an example, elevated method and departure angels.
It is going to be one in all probably 4 new Mitsubishi fashions set to be launched within the US by 2030, because the auto model appears to recuperate from a gross sales stoop and falling income in North America.
Earlier this yr, CarScoops reported that US sellers wrote to the corporate urging modifications as they struggled to promote autos from an ageing lineup alongside more energizing rivals – additional hampered by an absence of hybrid fashions.
The Outlander is the one hybrid mannequin in Mitsubishi’s US showrooms, the place the present technology arrived in 2021 – the identical yr it was launched in Australia.
MORE: Discover the Mitsubishi Outlander
