Pride of place on the Mitsubishi stand at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show, open to the public from September 15-23, will go to a new concept SUV that gives a strong indication of where the Three Diamond Company is going with near-future designs.
The Concept-cX is only 4.1m long, with a high driving position giving good visibility for easy manoeuvring around town. It has a firmly wedged profile, fashionable large tyres and the forward-slanting nose with trapezoidal grille that identifies the new Mitsubishi design.
Its new, high-efficiency 1.8-litre "clean diesel" engine with variable-geometry turbocharger, diesel oxidation catalyst and particulate filter in the exhaust system complies with Euro 5 emission standards.
It drives through a new dual-clutch "sports shift transmission" and an electronically-controlled all-wheel drive system and runs on 225/45 R19 tyres.
The interior trim is moulded from Mitsubishi's "green plastic", made from bamboo and other plant-based resins as part of an effort to stop global warming and slow the depletion of oil reserves.
Two charging systems
A plug-in electric version of Mitsubishi's " i" city car will be shown in Europe for the first time; unlike the company's earlier MiEV electric vehicle concepts it has a large, conventional motor driving the rear axle rather than a platter-shaped motor inside each wheel.
It has two charging systems for the lithium-ion battery- a 220V connection with inverter for overnight charging from household current and a "quick charge" socket for a high-amperage commercial battery charger.
Euro-Lancer
The new Lancer, due in South Africa in April 2008, will be make its European debut with a range of five models offering three engine options: an 80kW, 1.5-litre petrol engine with four-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, a 105kW, 1.8-litre petrol unit engine mated to either the a six-speed "sport mode" CVT or a five-speed manual transmission and a two-litre, 103kW turbodiesel with a six-speed manual gearbox.
All models have seven crash bags (driver and front passenger, driver's knee bag, side and curtain bags) adaptive headlights and water-sensitive automatic windscreen wipers.
Standard equipment on Euro-spec Lancers includes a Rockford Fosgate premium sound system, paddle shift on auto-transmission models and a pollen-removing air filter in the air-con.