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According to a report on Automotive News Europe, Mitsubishi CEO Osamu Masuko has confirmed during an interview that a plug-in hybrid version of the next-generation ASX compact crossover and Pajero SUV are already being developed and will join the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

We can expect to see the new ASX debut in 2016, with the plug-in hybrid variant making its appearance the following year. As for the Pajero, the next-generation version is set to appear in 2018 with the plug-in hybrid set to follow not long after.

The current Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is powered by a 2.0 litre MIVEC petrol engine producing 118 PS at 4,500 rpm and 186 Nm of torque at the same engine range. What's more important is the inclusion of the electric motors, a small front unit and a larger one at the rear.

Mitsubishi XR-PHEV concept, GC-PHEV concept

As a result, the front motor is capable of churning out 60 kW(80 hp) and 137 Nm of torque. This is in addition to the larger, rear motor which produces the same amount of horsepower and 195 Nm of torque. All the juice is provided by a lithium-ion battery with a maximum 12 kWh storage capacity.

For the future ASX - likely to be based on the XR-PHEV concept, a turbocharged, direct-injected 1.1 litre three-cylinder that will act as a range extender is expected. In an interview with motoring.com.au, Osamu confirmed this unit has been specifically developed for front-wheel drive applications.

In regards to the next-gen Pajero plug-in hybrid, the most possible powertrain option would be the 3.0 litre V6 MIVEC with 250 PS - which is mated to an eight-speed automatic, seen on the Mitsubishi GC-PHEV concept. The concept also had a 70 kW(94 hp) electric motor, powered by a 12 kWh battery.