Next-generation Mitsubishi Lancer set for Detroit show
Mitsubishi garnered much attention at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show with its Concept-X vehicle. The company said that Concept-X would be used as the basis for the next generation of its popular Lancer Evolution high-performance sport compact sedan as well as foreshadow the general style of its upcoming vehicles. A little more than a year later, Mitsubishi is set to unveil the next-generation Lancer, the first model derived from the Concept-X's styling.
Set to make its world debut in January at the Detroit Auto Show, the new Lancer will share much more style with its Evolution cousin than the current model and will be the second vehicle underpinned by Mitsubishi's new "Project Global" platform. The first vehicle on the platform is the 2007 Outlander, which recently arrived in showrooms.
Although details are scarce right now, Mitsubishi has confirmed that the next-generation Lancer will be sold all over the world with a wide range of powertrains, with sales scheduled to begin in the U.S in spring of 2007. In addition to the base Lancer and Evolution, a much-improved Ralliart version is also being planned in order to better compete with rival Subaru and its Impreza WRX. Expect the new Ralliart to come with the automaker' 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and all wheel drive.
Don't count on seeing the Lancer Evolution X at Detroit. Mitsubishi will undoubtedly be sitting on that one until Tokyo.