Tokyo to See Mitsubishi Hybrids, Subaru CUV, Lexus Sport Coupe

TOKYO – Furthering its shift away from pure electric vehicles, Mitsubishi will display three hybrid concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show this month.

Among them is a pair of plug-in hybrids, the GC-PHEV and XR-PHEV, plus a mild hybrid, the Concept AR.

The GC-PHEV, a medium-sized CUV with seating for four, is powered by a turbocharged, 3.0L gasoline V-6, mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel drive.

The GC’s hybrid system incorporates a 70-kW front-mounted motor and 12-kWh lithium-ion battery housed underneath the rear cargo area. It can run 25 miles (40 km) in electric mode.

The GC is equipped with an array of advanced safety equipment, including lane-keeping assist and radar cruise control.

The XR-PHEV CUV is powered by a 1.1L direct-injected gasoline engine and 120-kW (161-hp) motor-generator fed from a 14.0-kWh Li-ion battery, positioned under the floor.

Like the GC-PHEV, the XR seats four. It can travel 53 miles (85 km) in electric mode, while achieving 66 mpg (3.6 L/100/km) in hybrid mode.

Both hybrids are based on the Outlander platform and could hit the market as early as fall 2017. Word is they will replace the current RVR and ASX models.

Through September, Mitsubishi has sold 9,200 Outlander plug-in hybrids, and the automaker is targeting 30,000 units by the time its current fiscal year wraps up at the end of March.

The Concept AR offers a stop/start system to go along with its 1.1L gasoline engine. The model’s main features are flexible seating and an array of advanced safety technologies, including lane-departure warning, forward-collision mitigation and radar cruise control.

Mitsubishi says it still expects to realize its 2020 EV/plug-in hybrid sales target of 20% of total volume, despite a sharp decline in demand for its iMiEV electric car.

Subaru will show off its Crossover 7 concept. As the name suggests, it seats seven. It also features AWD and is powered by a 2.5L boxer 4-cyl. linked to a Lineatronic CVT.

Subaru also will unveil the Levorg, a sports tourer prototype, and the Cross Sport design concept, Nov. 20, but did not provide a detailed look at the two vehicles ahead of the show.

The Levorg, scheduled for launch in 2014, will be powered by a turbocharged, direct-injected 1.6L boxer 4-cyl.

Toyota’s Lexus luxury arm will unveil the RC250h sports coupe concept, featuring both a conventional and hybrid powertrain.

The RC 350 boasts a 3.5L gasoline V-6 under the hood, while the RC 300h hybrid is powered by a 2.5L gasoline engine/electric motor combination.

The car has a production-ready appearance, with its chiseled exterior and wide spindle grille that present a somewhat new design motif for Lexus. Inside the concept sports contrasting trim and a new center console layout.