It’s
been several months since we’ve seen the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander, but new
details are starting to emerge about the upcoming model. In an interview with Automotive News,
Mitsubishi Europe President Bernard Loire confirmed the redesigned crossover
will be introduced in the second half of 2020. The executive was tight-lipped
on specifics, but said the next-generation Outlander would ride on a platform
sourced from the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance.
While
Loire didn’t elaborate, previous reports have suggested the 2021 Outlander will
ride on the same platform that underpins the Nissan Rogue. That makes sense as
the two models are relatively the same size, although the Rogue is taller and
wider. Nissan’s crossover also has a wheelbase that spans 2,705
mm which makes it 35.5 mm longer than the Outlander.
Regardless
of which platform the Outlander rides on, previous spy photos have shown the
model will remain pretty faithful to the Engelberg Tourer concept. As a result,
it features a Dynamic Shield grille, a relatively flat roof and prominent
character lines. Engine
options remain unconfirmed, but Loire suggested we can expect another plug-in
hybrid variant. That particular model will likely use an updated version of the
current powertrain. As for the mainstream engines, they’ll likely be sourced
from Nissan.
Besides
talking about the Outlander, Loire said “another smaller SUV” would be
introduced around the same time. There’s no word on which particular model that
is, but the Outlander Sport would be logical guess as the current model is a
nearly a decade old. That
remains unconfirmed, but Mitsubishi officials have previously said the next
Outlander Sport will be smaller than the current model to help distance itself
from the Eclipse Cross. At the time, it was suggested the Outlander Sport would
be about the same size as the Nissan Kicks and speculation suggested the two
vehicles could ride on the same platform.
