Mitsubishi unveiled a brand new fully electric SUV at the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show in China, reviving the Airtrek name which was used in the first generation Outlander (2001-2008). The model was teased back in April 2021 described as as an “e-cruising SUV”. Despite their common ancestor, the new Airtrek has nothing in common with the new Outlander, other than being an SUV. As reported by Best Car Web, the Airtrek is measuring 4,600 mm in length, 1,910 mm in width, and 1,690 mm in height, making it 80 mm shorter but 50 mm wider than the Outlander.
From our research, it seems that the SUV
could be based based on the Aion V, an electric SUV that was unveiled in 2020
by a subsidiary of GAC Motors. In fact, the two models are sharing the design
of the profile, with the Mitsubishi boasting completely redesigned front and
rear ends. Thanks to the Dynamic Shield grille, the dual headlights, the
bi-tone treatment, and the L-shaped LED taillights on the sculpted tailgate,
the Airtek is instantly recognizable as a Mitsubishi.
The Mitsubishi Airtrek features a 70 kWh
battery, allowing a range of 520 km according to the Chinese CTLC
standards. It is mounted on the floor offering a low center of gravity and an
“ideal weight distribution”. As for the electric powertrain, the company didn’t
announce the power/torque figures but stated that “the motor, inventor, and
reduction drive have been integrated into a single lightweight, compact unit”.
The Aion V Plus has a power output between 218-260 hp so the Airtek could be somewhere in that range.
The cabin has room for five passengers
with a focus on practicality. We can see a free-standing horizontal
infotainment touchscreen on the top of the center console.
The electric SUV will be produced by the
GAC Mitsubishi Motors joint venture in China, with sales starting in spring
2022.
