Okay, okay. We can certainly echo your initial thoughts on this design.
First reaction at this desk was a blasphemous exclamation.
“Sweet Jesus.”
Second reaction after thinking we might see a production-spec Montero reborn. But ended up with this?
“Holy Mary, mother of God…. what is this evil monstrosity?”
But step back a minute. Appreciate its creamy and sily surfaces atop this unapologetically blocky shape. Functional, futuristic, and certainly eye-catching.
The nose and tail are absolutely ghastly, but then, the 2016 Outlander shows how cool and chic production-spec nose like could look.
With some tweaks, the overall scale of the machine and its all-new plug-in drivetrain are actually bang-on what buyers want. Think of it as a cross between the new XC90 and a Land Cruiser, and you have it nailed. A supercharged V6 and eight-speed automatic are also very modern and promising for the US market.
Four reasons this car should come to the US as the 2017 Montero?
— Mitsubishi has a core competency in global off-roaders
— New hybrid powertrains make their emmissions viable from a CAFE perspective
— The Montero could be a big profit center as the only Mitsubishi that could reliably sell for more than $45,000
— It is also a flagship and prestige point for the massive Mitsubishi corporate empire
To be an SUV powerhouse in US sales, and this GC-PHEV — shocking though its design is — portends the best way to keep big-SUV shoppers considering Mitsubishi once their families outgrow the Outlander Sport and seven-seat Outlander.
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
2015 Mitsubishi GC-PHEV
Concept
MITSUBISHI MOTORS CONCEPT GC-PHEV MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT THE 2015 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW
12/02/15
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Futuristic, full-size crossover concept provides a glimpse at the brand’s new design language applied to a large SUV
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Features a powerful yet highly efficient supercharged V-6/electric motor plug-in hybrid, 8-speed automatic transmission and full-time Super All-Wheel Control all-wheel drive
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Features technology that Mitsubishi is working towards incorporating into production vehicles
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today unveiled the futuristic Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. The full-size SVU concept provides a glimpse at the brand’s new design language applied to a large vehicle.
The Concept GC-PHEV features bold, muscular styling, a powerful yet highly efficient 335 horsepower supercharged MIVEC V-6 engine/electric motor plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain, an 8-speed automatic transmission, Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) full-time all-wheel drive and advanced next-generation high-tech features.
A new technology incorporated in the Concept GC-PHEV is the Tactical Table, an innovative information system making connected car technology an interactive experience available to everyone inside the vehicle. When the driver or one of the passengers places their smartphone atop the Tactical Table, they can create, collect, exchange and share information with others using the Concept GC-PHEV’s communication system.
Additional technological features of the Concept GC-PHEV include advanced safety systems such as Mitsubishi Motors “Connected Car” Technology, AR Windshield, Pedestrian Collision Mitigating Auto-braking, Rearward Blind Spot Vehicle Warning, Unintentional Vehicle Move Off Control, Driver Monitor and more.
“We brought the Concept GC-PHEV to Chicago because it showcases into our future technology and design themes,” said MMNA Executive Vice President, Don Swearingen. “The Concept showcases aggressive styling and a level of refinement that will be coming to Mitsubishi vehicles. All of our 2016 model year vehicles will be refreshed with our new brand identity, starting with the 2016 Outlander, which will make its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show in April. The Concept GC-PHEV continues to tell the story we started telling at the LA Auto Show, and we think you’re going to like what is to come.”
Mitsubishi Motors finished 2014 with vehicle sales up 24.8 percent over 2013 – among the highest sales growth in the U.S. auto industry. That sales momentum carried over into January, which saw a 33.4 percent increase from January 2014 and was the 11th month of year-over-year sales increases.
For more information on the Concept GC-PHEV please visit media.mitsubishicars.com and be sure to visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.
About Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all research & development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and financial services for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells sedans and crossovers/SUVs through a network of approximately 400 dealers. MMNA is leading the way in the development of highly-efficient, affordably-priced new gasoline-powered automobiles while using its industry-leading knowledge in battery electric vehicles to develop future EV and PHEV models. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.