Mitsubishi is planning to bring forward the introduction of its new compact SUV, based on the Concept cX from the 2007 Frankfurt motor show.
The new car, which will provide Mitsubishi with a rival for Nissan’s Qashqai, was originally due in May next year, but improving sales of compact SUVs in Japan have forced the firm onto a more aggressive schedule.
See the Mitsubishi cX picture gallery
The new SUV will now be launched in Japan next February; Europe will follow soon after.
The production version of the cX (the name will change) will use the Lancer platform and come with petrol and diesel options, from 1.8 to 2.2 litres. An Evo-style SST dual-clutch ’box and four-wheel drive will also be available.
Mitsubishi is not planning a hybrid cX, but it will unveil a plug-in hybrid system in a fresh SUV concept at October’s Tokyo show. The technology is earmarked for the next Outlander.
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Re: Mitsubishi to hurry small SUV in
Wow an SUV for Miss Muffin! :-)
Re: Mitsubishi to hurry small SUV in
If this actually is the final production ready version of the original idea, whose pictures have also been made available, then all I can say is talk about ruining an idea. The same car looks almost fabulous in original design sketches with some real potential, yet who so ever was in charge of bringing it to fruition has done a fantastic job of destroying the original idea and turning the final product into one devoid of the soul and character the initial design had.
People at Mitsubishi urgently need to ascertain whether they have amongst them some really disgruntled product managers, who because of the tough economic circumstances or lack of job opportunities can't leave and yet are letting their frustrations influence their design decisions and managerial oversight.