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The Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept offers an unsightly look into the automaker's future

It was only a few months ago that Mitsubishi teased the Grand Tourer Concept with an image of the SUV's side profile. Now that it's just a few weeks before the Paris Motor Show, Mitsubishi released some renderings of the GT-PHEV Concept that will influence the rest of the automaker's lineup for the future. Mitsubishi is touting the concept as a "high-end next-generation SUV." Styling may indeed be subjective, but the GT-PHEV Concept has a face that only a mother could love. There's a bit of Lexus-like hate-it-or-like-it in the fascia, and the rest of it looks similar to that of the eX Concept that was revealed last year. Both concepts have grille openings that resemble the letter X, three hexagonal fog lights on the sides, and tiny slivers for headlights. The side profile of the GT-PHEV Concept reminds us of a Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, which isn't such a bad thing. The back of the concept features a rakish design with thin wrap-around taillights that also look good. If you can get past the SUV's looks, you'll find comfort the GT-PHEV's powertrain to be an interesting look into the future. The concept features Mitsubishi's next-gen plug-in hybrid system, which is comprised of three electric motors (one in the front and two at the back), a regular internal combustion engine, and a high-capacity battery. The systems work together as a full-time four-wheel-drive system. On electric-only power, the GT-PHEV Concept can travel an estimated 75 miles, while the car's total range is roughly 746 miles. Mitsubishi claims the GT-PHEV Concept is a ground tourer capable of chewing away the miles with ease. And while the automaker didn't include any images of the vehicle's interior, Mitsubishi claims the concept has a cockpit-like interior that wraps around the front passengers. The interior leather color can also be found on the roof of the vehicle for a "classy" look. Mitsubishi continues to focus on SUVs and crossovers, but we doubt the automaker will put a vehicle that looks like the GT-PHEV Concept on the road. We think this concept is more for show, but it will probably be used as inspiration for the design of the next Mitsubishi Outlander. Here's hoping that face gets toned down some.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets more power and more range

There's a brand new Mitsubishi Outlander for the 2022 model year, and we've been told that a plug-in hybrid version is on the way. But before that happens, Mitsubishi has given the current Outlander PHEV an under-the-skin refresh for 2021 that brings more power, more range and a new trim level. Despite the upgrades, the starting price hasn't budged. The Outlander PHEV gets a new 2.4-liter engine rated at 126 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque that replaces the previous 2.0-liter engine. A rear-axle-mounted electric motor adds 70kW of electric power, up 10kW over the old version. Add it all up and the powertrain spins out a total of 221 hp, up 31 ponies from the previous model. Updated software is said to improve "synchronization between battery and engine," which Mitsubishi says yields reductions in noise, vibration and harshness. All Outlander PHEVs are equipped with Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control all-wheel drive system, and the 2021 edition gains Sport and Snow driving modes. Along with the power boost, the Outlander PHEV's battery capacity increases from 12.0 kW/h to 13.8 kW/h. That adds two additional miles of all-electric range for a total of up to 24 miles. Mitsubishi also says the top speed under electric power with no assistance from the gasoline engine rises from 79 mph to 83 mph. According to the EPA, the 2021 Outlander PHEV scores a combined 74 MPGe while running in hybrid electric mode and 26 MPG combined once the battery is depleted. That's an improvement of one mile per gallon. In addition to last year's SEL and GT trim levels, the 2021 Outlander PHEV gains an LE edition. The new trim adds a blacked-out grille, dark chrome dual spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and a blackout design for the front and rear bumpers. Also standard on the LE are a sunroof and upgraded audio system. Despite the significant upgrades for 2021, the Outlander PHEV SEL starts at the same $37,490 asking price as before. The LE costs $39,190 and the top-spec GT lists at $43,190. Buyers are eligible for $6,587 in federal tax credits, which is up $751 compared to the 2020 model year due to the increase in battery capacity. The 2021 Outlander PHEV is available at Mitsubishi dealerships now.

French investigators will question Carlos Ghosn in Lebanon

BEIRUT — A team of French investigators will come to Beirut next month to participate in interrogating former Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn, a Lebanese justice ministry official said Saturday. The official gave no specific date or details of what information the investigators would seek from Ghosn. Former auto executive Ghosn, who is a Lebanese, Brazilian and French national, fled Japan in a dramatic escape that drew headlines last year, arriving in Lebanon on Dec. 30, 2019. In addition to his trial in Japan, the 66-year-old businessman is facing a number of legal challenges in France, including tax evasion and alleged money laundering, fraud and misuse of company assets while at the helm of the Renault-Nissan alliance. The Lebanese official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the French investigators would be working alongside their Lebanese counterparts. Information about investigations is secret under French law, and French judicial officials did not respond to requests for comment Saturday on the report. After leading the Japanese automaker Nissan for two decades, Ghosn was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on charges of breach of trust, misusing company assets for personal gains and violating securities laws by not fully disclosing his compensation. He denied wrongdoing and fled Japan while out on bail awaiting trial. He is unlikely to be extradited from Lebanon, where he has been since last year. At least two Ghosn-related investigations were opened in France. One focused on suspicious transactions between Renault and a distributor in Oman, as well as suspected payments for private trips and events paid by Renault-NissanÂ’s Netherlands-based holding company RNBV. Another investigation focused on suspected misuse of company funds for a party for Ghosn at Versailles. The French inquiry aims to determine who is at fault for a string of alleged financial violations between 2009 and 2020. That includes “suspicious financial flows” between Renault and the SBA car dealership in Oman. This aspect of the inquiry is targeting several million euros of travel and other costs paid by the Netherlands-based Renault-Nissan holding RNBV but suspected to have been for GhosnÂ’s personal use. GhosnÂ’s French lawyers have said the payments to SBA were “justified bonuses” for having boosted car sales in the Persian Gulf and denied allegations that the funds benefited Ghosn or his family personally.