Since Mitsubishi released the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) in the UK earlier this month, dealerships claim the vehicle has been at the heart of their busiest period in decades.
Sales executive Alex Dunn of Duxford Motor Group commented: “It’s fantastic – this car (Outlander PHEV) has brought everyone to our door. In the course of the two day launch last weekend we did 23 test drives and many were rebooked because we couldn’t see them on the day – a good 40 or 50 people that wanted to test the car.”
The Outlander PHEV is impressive in terms of performance. The official mpg stands at 148 mpg and CO2 emissions are capped at 44g/km, which is efficient and economical for a small car let alone a 4×4. Furthermore, the plug-in hybrid achieved a five-star Euro-NCAP rating for safety and offers the capacity to travel on electricity alone for approximately 33 miles.
Perhaps what is most relevant in explaining this early intrigue though, is the price. Starting at £28,250 (including the Plug-In Car Grant) this is the first production vehicle on the market not to carry a price premium for its hybrid technology. This allows it to match the OTR price of its diesel equivalent.
Mr Dunn, in an interview with Cambridge news, spoke of its appeal as a company car: “100 per cent write-down in the first year, which is a first for employers, and if you’re an employee it’s 5 per cent Benefit in Kind which is astonishing. This is one of very few vehicles which is congestion-charge free and it’s not a little car, it’s a five-seater four-wheel drive vehicle, so it ticks so many boxes for people who perhaps wouldn’t have come to our door before – fans of all the big brands are coming to see us. It’s a tough car too – rock-solid and super-reliable.”
Official UK sales figures have not yet been released by Mitsubishi as it is still early days, however, considering the competitive pricing and initial interest surrounding the Outlander PHEV it is expected to do very well.
Cambridge News
