The 2025 Japan Mobility Show has opened the floodgates to all sorts of concept cars, including a wacky six-wheel Lexus LS minivan. Domestic automaker Mitsubishi is also in attendance at the Tokyo event, showcasing a concept with a made-up name: “Elevance.” It’s already sparking speculation about whether it previews a future SUV, possibly the return of the Pajero (Montero in some markets). For what it’s worth, the front fascia does resemble a camouflaged prototype spotted back in July.
But the boxy styling and rear-hinged see-through doors aren’t the most interesting part. Mitsubishi caught our attention with the Elevance’s intricate powertrain. The concept packs a complex plug-in hybrid setup combining four electric motors with a gasoline engine. It features two in-wheel motors at the front and Mitsubishi’s familiar dual-motor Active Yaw Control (AYC) at the rear. The unspecified combustion engine is described as a “high-efficiency” ICE capable of running on carbon-neutral fuel.
Mitsubishi remains tight-lipped about the battery, saying only that it’s a “large pack.” For reference, the Zeekr 9X uses a hefty 70-kWh battery, while the reborn Volvo XC70 has a 39.6-kWh pack. It’s unclear where the Elevance fits between those two, though it likely skews smaller. Either way, the battery is powerful enough to power the matching trailer, which includes a kitchen and shower.
Interestingly, Mitsubishi doesn’t mention that the combustion engine functions as a generator to recharge the battery. That suggests the Elevance isn’t a range-extending EV but rather a conventional plug-in hybrid with the gas engine mechanically driving the wheels. Whatever the case, we’re told the ICE delivers the “clean, exhilarating performance of an electric motor drive.”
Photo by: Mitsubishi
Beyond its complex PHEV setup, the Elevance appears to be a large vehicle, further supporting the theory that it’s Pajero-sized. Still, we might be getting ahead of ourselves, as Mitsubishi has a reputation for unveiling bold concepts that never make it to production. Hopefully, this one breaks the trend.
Inside, the Elevance offers three rows of seating but only accommodates six passengers in a 2+2+2 layout, with swiveling front seats. It embraces the current screen-heavy design trend with a triple-display setup stretching across the dashboard. There’s also a screen embedded in the octagonal steering wheel, while the climate controls are handled via a slim horizontal touch bar.
Thankfully, not everything has been digitized. A rotary dial between the front seats lets the driver switch between driving modes. Elsewhere, the trapezoidal steering wheel display is flanked by physical keys and two vertical toggles behind it.
Whether Mitsubishi plans to follow up with a production model remains uncertain, but there’s hope that at least some of the Elevance’s ideas will trickle down to an SUV people can actually buy.
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Source: Mitsubishi
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