Either those fan-type objects are meant to exhaust vape clouds from the cabin (pods?), or the upcoming concept vehicle from Mitsubishi will need clearance from the FAA to visit grandma’s house. Are they speakers? Will drivers of this wildly unlikely production candidate create impromptu block parties wherever they go?
Mitsubishi isn’t saying. All we know is that the concept, bound for next month’s Tokyo Motor Show, is a plug-in hybrid, not unlike the Outlander PHEV. Interestingly, Mitsubishi opted to spell out the PHEV acronym, making the vehicle seem more futuristic than it actually is.
“Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.” It’s a term that’s been around for years, but it still boggles when one reads the “electric vehicle” part. No wonder consumers are still confused about electrification and the abilities of various hybrid types.
That complaint aside, Mitsubishi’s creation, like past concepts, isn’t likely to ever see the glare of a showroom. At least not as pictured. Described as a small plug-in SUV with a downsized powertrain and electric 4WD system, the concept is an exercise to show off Mitsu’s plug-in and all-wheel prowess while the company awaits real-world products people can actually buy. Aside from the Eclipse Cross, it’s been lean times at Mitsubishi for years.
The automaker’s entry into the troubled Renault-Nissan Alliance, while opening the door to cash-saving platform and technology sharing, means a longer wait for those future rides. The upside is that when it does happen, buyers might be able to expect a broader range of products.
We’ll know more about Mitsubishi’s concept, and perhaps even some future plans, when the Tokyo show kicks off in late October.
[Image: Mitsubishi]
hmmm. must be radical and beyond the fringe. Cloud intakes to fuel a water engine?
The question: why would I buy a Mitsubishi CUV?
Why would you buy a Ford CUV with poor build quality.
Why would I buy a CUV in the first place?
Because it is a Japanese brand and therefore smart choice.
Since they look like pie shaped wedges – not “fin” separated pieces or a grille-like structure – I say it’s totally non-functional decoration much like non-functional air intakes on some current vehicles.
They’re channeling their inner Pajero desert racer.
https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/static/img/amp/100000/170000/174000/174300/174398/s6_28003/ccr-dakar-2004-mitsubishi-motors-repsol-ats-studios-team-presentation-the-mitsubishi-pajer.jpg
They won the Dakar Rally more than once, and outside the North American bubble of hopped-up pickup trucks with two feet of wheel travel that never made it elsewhere together with our general inward navel-gazing are quite well known as being rugged brutes. Well before SUVs became the thing women drive to doctor’s appointments, Mitsu made some tough machines. Like from 30 years ago to the present. Here, they’re only one step above the BHPH lots. Their association with Chrysler did them few if any favors.
May be these are little drones. Yo can ask Alexa to send them ahead for reconnaissance missions in several directions
That would be cool. Speed Racer had that on the Mach V. Though, he only had one of it. Maybe controlling 4 would be too hard, before digital instruments.
I doubt those are Chapparal-style downforce generators, so I am going to say they are stylized heat sinks for the batteries.
Or, they could be subwoofers for all the block parties that the young Mitsubishi buyers will be having. But, after years of wishful thinking, it seems like the manufacturers have almost given up on youth marketing these days.
Heat sinks! I think you nailed it with that guess. From what I’m seeing in the photo that makes sense.
Thought it was a center console. Just fancy cupholders, right?
I vote for diesel-locomotive-style roof-mounted cooling fans.