2021 Mitsubishi Outlander reveal confirmed! New Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 rival to get rally inspired all-wheel-drive system

Mitsubishi has confirmed exactly when it will reveal the next-generation Outlander mid-size SUV, which has an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that’s rally inspired.

Set to make its big debut at 10:00am on Wednesday, February 17 (AEDT), the new Outlander will introduce the latest version of Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control AWD system.

The set-up “provides driver confidence and security in all weather and road conditions”, according to the brand, with its final calibration “developed in severe weather and road conditions”.

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“We took everything we know about on- and off-road driving from the rally experiences to apply the latest Super All-Wheel Control technology in our newly developed platform,” said Mitsubishi’s Outlander segment chief vehicle engineer, Kentaro Honda.

“We also specifically developed a new drive mode selector to provide confident driving at all times and in all weather conditions. We hope that many customers will have great experiences with the enhanced driving performance of the all-new Outlander.”

Images of a camouflaged development mule being put through its paces off-road have been released, hinting at the next Outlander’s exterior design, which the brand confirmed “will be bigger and bolder than the previous generations”.

That said, the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 rival did get an early mark last December, when an undisguised pre-production vehicle was spied in an open carpark (see story link below).

As reported, the imminent Outlander is set to share its new Alliance platform with the Nissan X-Trail, with the latter’s 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine expected to be one of the former’s powertrain options.

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Also likely for the eagerly anticipated Outlander is a PHEV (plug-in hybrid) alternative that should once again combine a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors.

Mitsubishi Australia has previously revealed autonomous emergency braking will be standard across the fresh Outlander range as part of an expanded suite of advanced driver-assist systems. It’s expected to go on sale locally later in 2021.