In 2014, TEAM MITSUBISHI RALLIART AUSTRALIA (TMR Australia) participated in the Australasian Safari with the OUTLANDER Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), with technical assistance from MITSUBISHI MOTORS. The rally is characterized by a tortuous course with a total distance of 3,529 kilometers. The competitors roared off the ceremonial start ramp in Perth, the capital of the state of Western Australia. The OUTLANDER PHEV rally car was modified in order to comply with safety regulations. This included fitting a roll cage and changes in fuel tanks, as well as the minimum required modifications, such as the installation of rally specific suspension, tires, brake pads and underbody skid plates. The hardware aspects of the PHEV system and Twin Motor 4WD System with S-AWC (Super All-wheel Control) are the same as those of standard production cars, only the control system being modified for rallying purpose. Among the twenty-six vehicles participated in the rally, the OUTLANDER PHEV was the ONLY plug-in hybrid, entered in the production-based hybrid car class.

The OUTLANDER PHEV got off to a promising start as it completed the first day's prologue in 15th place. As the full-on stages got under way the next day, the flat road sections allowed the OUTLANDER PHEV to recover its power supply and use that power on rough roads when required, demonstrating the high performance that can be achieved with the motor assist system.

Throughout various course conditions such as high-speed sections, rough roads with severe bumps and desert-like regions, the OUTLANDER achieved an impressive 17th overall on the first day, 16th on the second day and 13th on the third day with minimal time loss, although it was hit by three punctures. On the fourth day, while driving on the second half of the special stage, the steering rack was damaged following a heavy landing over a big jump, forcing the crew to retire. Before they withdrew from the fifth day, they incurred a time penalty of 16 hours and 50 minutes that dropped them to 17th overall. They suffered another setback on the sixth day when they damaged the left front and rear suspension. The mishap dropped them to 20th, 16 hours and 42 minutes adrift of the lead. However, the OUTLANDER PHEV swiftly regained its speed and completed the final leg with the second fastest time, finishing the grueling rally in 19th position overall, and winning the production-based hybrid car class.

The Australasian Safari is well-known for its tortuous road conditions with very long stages that are mostly made up of tough gravel surfaces as well as rough terrain and deep sand. Those conditions are different from any encountered in the Asia Cross-Country Rally. The environment was more hostile than the competitors had imagined. Despite under this tough condition, the challenge successfully demonstrated the high reliability and durability of the MITSUBISHI Plug-in Hybrid EV System which ultimately delivered trouble-free performance.