It seems like a long time ago when we last saw a Mitsubishi win a significant rally. But things might be about to change, and we are basing that prediction solely on the way this Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Baja Portalegre 500 special looks like in this preview image!

This is the car Mitsu is entering in the Baja Portalegre 500 cross-country rally due to be held in the Portalegre municipality in the eastern part of Portugal from October 22nd to October 24th this year. Not only does it look awesome, the specially developed Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is also the only twin-motor contender since it’s a hybrid.

The car is based on the production model that’s been converted for a tough Baja rally with higher ground clearance and longer suspension stroke together with larger diameter rally tires as well as roll cage and safety and radio equipment. The performance is enhanced too, but they won’t say by how much – only that it takes full advantage of the upgraded PHEV system. The whole point of this effort, says Mitsubishi, is to promote development of EV and 4WD technologies. So they already have an excuse lineup for not winning.

Baja Portalegre 500 rally dates back to 1987 and is undoubtedly one of the toughest rallies still being held in Europe. It includes 500 kilometers of high speed driving over mainly dirt roads and serves as a warm-up for the Dakar Rally. It has three separate categories – automobile, motor bike and quad – with over 300 vehicles expected to take part.