Mitsubishi has teased what’s expected to be the inspiration for the next-generation Outlander, it’s called the Ground Tourer Concept and the brand is promising it’ll be as good on-road as off it.

MITSUBISHI MOTORS has released a dark profile picture of its Ground Tourer Concept which is set to be revealed at the Paris Motor Show in September. According to the short release accompanying the picture, the Ground Tourer Concept “builds on Mitsubishi Motors’ suite of new generation SUVs, following the launch of the XR PHEV II shown at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and eX Concept, which premiered at Tokyo Motor Show late last year”.

“The all-new SUV coupe concept is designed to express functional beauty and Japanese craftsmanship, while featuring Mitsubishi Motors’ flagship plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) technology for effortless cruising on and off the beaten track. Passengers are accommodated in hushed comfort and the sleek design of its finely crafted interior.”

As Mitsubishi told Practical Motoring at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, the brand intends to concentrate on rolling out plug-in hybrid SUVs and while some will gnash their teeth at this, it might not be such a bad thing at all. Sure, plug-in hybrid SUVs aren’t necessarily renowned for their top end speed, but it’s their low down almost instant torque from the electric motors that should pique the interest of rough road drivers.

That Mitsubishi has suggested the production version of the Ground Tourer Concept will be effective off the beaten track is good news too. A brand with the history that Mitsubishi has knows just how careful it has to be bandying about such terms for risk of angering rusted-on Pajero owners. That said, with Mitsubishi Australia constantly denying any truth to UK-originating rumours that a new Pajero is in the works the brand might not care about that anymore.

If the current Outlander PHEV is anything to go by, the new version should be one of the most real-world oriented plug-in hybrids on the market.