Mitsubishi Mi-Tech Concept revealed
The high-riding beach buggy is powered by a gas turbine plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Mitsubishi has revealed its latest concept car in Tokyo, the Mi-Tech Concept, with an plug-in hybrid powertrain and a beach-buggy body.
Built as a "small plug-in hybrid electric SUV that delivers unparalleled driving pleasure", the Mitsubishi Mi-Tech is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain blending a gas turbine with an electric motor.
The turbine can be powered by diesel, kerosene, or alcohol (if you're feeling wasteful), and has a "powerful output for its size and weight".
Mitsubishi isn't alone in proposing turbines as a cleaner alternative to the internal-combustion engine. Jaguar famously fitted its now-defunct C-X75 concept with a set of 'micro-turbines'.
The turbine feeds a lithium-ion battery pack, which in turn drives an electric motor on each axle. Mitsubishi has fitted a development of its S-AWC all-wheel drive system, capable of precisely metering torque to individual wheels as required.
The company even says the car will be able to pull spins on the spot by reversing one wheel and driving forwards with the one that's diagonally opposite.
Off-road, the system means the wheel with the best traction can always have power, while spinning wheels are given none.
Externally, the Mi-Tech has a blocky interpretation of the Mitsubishi 'Dynamic Shield' up front, with T-shaped lighting at both ends. There are prominent turbines on the rear deck, while the roof is notably absent. This is a concept, after all.
Inside, the windscreen displays augmented reality details about what's going on around the driver, and can warn about impending hazards thanks to its radar and camera sensors.
The steering wheel and dashboard are both retro-futuristic, with trim running across the dashboard in the same colour as the exterior.
Click the images for the full gallery
0
