Currently reading: Mitsubishi shows new small car

Global Small car will be shown at the Geneva motor show in March; up to 150,000 units per year

Mitsubishi has revealed this pair of official sketches outlining its plans to build a new small global car in a new factory in Thailand.

The new plant, Mitsubishi’s first new production facility in 16 years, will have a capacity for 150,000 units when construction of the new car gets underway and could be expanded up to 200,000 units from 2013.

See the official sketches of the new Mitsubishi Global Small car

The entry-level model will be sold in emerging markets, as well as Japan, and will be priced from around 400,000 baht in Thailand (£8500). The design of the car also hints at the styling for the next Colt, but Mitsubishi has yet to confirm whether the “Global Small” car will make it to Europe in its current form.

It will be launched at the Geneva motor show in March and will launch with fuel-efficient 1.0- and 1.2-litre engines.

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thebaldgit 11 December 2010

Re: Mitsubishi shows new small car

The fact that the new Mitsubishi small car looks samey is indicitive of the fact that if it is going to be a world car then its going to have to appeal to some differing markets without offending any, thus bland rules.

Flash Harry 10 December 2010

Re: Mitsubishi shows new small car

blissity74 wrote:

Looks worryingly like a Hyundai i20 from the side and back. Mitsubishi needs to find a strong design aesthetic and develop it across its range. The 'jet-fighter' nose is certainly distinctive, but grafting it onto timid body designs just doesn't wash. A shame really because the cars themselves are reliable with good ride & handling.

I agree.The 'jet fighter' nose only works on the Lancer as this was designed around that theme.i seen a Lancer yesterday with the Evo kit and wheels.Looks great Mitsubishi need more of that theme across the range
n50pap 10 December 2010

Re: Mitsubishi shows new small car

blissity74 wrote:
The 'jet-fighter' nose is certainly distinctive, but grafting it onto timid body designs just doesn't wash.

I quite agree. The Mitsubishi Colt just looks awkward and reminds me of MG-Rover's efforts to upgrade their cars just before the company's demise. The last few months just looked like desperation. As for this car looking like an i20, perhaps small cars are following the lead of the Vauxhall Astra, next Ford Focus and the Seat Leon in looking strangely similar. Certainly a lot of new models look like variations on the Toyota Yaris, even before the cloning of the Suzuki Alto into the Nissan Pixo and the new, small VW for the far east. As blissity74 says, the Mitsubishi range does offer reliability, but more design flair might just convince car buyers that their car range is worth spending their hard-earned cash on.