Overheat
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The Concept-Sportback gives "the first indications of the company's vision for its next generation of C-segment cars and debuts its design inspiration for a new European five-door sports hatchback", apparently: in other words, this is what the new Lancer C-sector range will look like. It packs in plenty of Evo-style attitude, and certainly looks striking, if not pretty.
The new-generation Lancer (which may not necessarily take that name again) is due to debut next year, and a full line-up will be offered in the UK and other world markets. This time around, Mitsubishi will be positioning the range firmly as an alternative to the Focus/Astra/Golf and so on, and we can expect three- and five-door models, an estate, a 4x4 and perhaps a compact MPV and coupe-cabriolet as well to follow. The new Lancer was co-developed with Chrysler, and closely-related Dodge Caliber models (see separate story) will also be launched next year in Europe. Expect the same 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4-litre petrol engines with variable-valve timing as in the Dodge (140bhp, 150bhp and 170bhp) plus the 136bhp 2.0 diesel unit; these units were developed in partnership with DaimlerChrysler and Hyundai before the DC-Mitsubishi joint venture was terminated, DC deciding not to bail out the struggling Japanese firm by taking a larger shareholding.
Mitsubishi will also use an extended version of this new platform to underpin its next-generation D-sector family car range, giving models to replace the Carisma and Galant, as well as the next-generation Outlander crossover/4x4. The company says that it is well on the way to financial recovery in Europe, with sales increasing 20percent last year, mainly down to the launch of the latest Colt; it is, however, continuing to struggle in the USA and back home in Japan. But with five all-new model ranges planned for the USA by 2008, and nine for Japan, it is battling hard to return to profit in the wake of the breakdown of its relationship with DaimlerChrysler.
