Due on sale in spring 2014, the car’s low emissions mean that it will be exempt from the London Congestion Charge while fleets and drivers will also benefit from tiny fuel bills, no vehicle excise duty (VED) and a BiK rate of just 5%.

Mitsubishi also says the model can cover 32 miles on electric power alone with a top speed of 75mph, rising to 514 miles and 160mph using both the combustion engine and electric motors.

Toby Marshall, sales & marketing director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said: ‘Everyone at Mitsubishi is incredibly excited about the arrival of the PHEV version of Outlander. Not only is it extremely clean and green, but it is fantastic to drive. Power from the car is delivered quietly and smoothly. It certainly doesn’t hang around either!

‘With so much already going for it, the fact that it now qualifies for Congestion Charge exemption is great news.’