2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid Offers Over 500 Miles... Send us your Tips! MANUFACTURERS BY REGION Vehicle Types Shows and Events Motorsports Aftermarket Lifestyle

Ahead of its debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month, Mitsubishi has released full details on its upcoming Outlander PHEV, the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV.

Mating a 2.0-liter gasoline 4-cylinder to twin electric motors (one at axle wheel) and a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, Mitsubishi aims to deliver SUV capability, gasoline driving range and the fuel efficiency of a plug-in hybrid. Several different drive modes will be available, including a pure EV setting, as well as settings for Series Hybrid and Parallel hybrid.

In Series Hybrid mode the gas engine works to generate electricity to the electric motors while in Parallel Hybrid mode the gas engine does most of the work to accelerate the vehicle, while being assisted by the electric motors.

Thanks to the plug-in hybrid component, Mitsubishi claims a zero-emissions range of 34 miles (55 km) with a combined fuel efficiency of 143.5 mpg on the more generous Japanese driving cycle. Total driving range is rated at 547 miles.

That electric battery pack can also be 80 percent recharged in just 30 minutes.

As for off-road capability, Mitsubishi claims its Twin Motor 4WD system, integrated with the brand’s S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control). offers better response and control than a mechanical system

The Outlander PHEV will go on sale first in Japan in early 2013, before heading to markets around the world, including Europe and North America.