Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will launch its new compact SUV at the Geneva show in March.
The new compact SUV will be added to MMC’s crossover SUV lineup – Outlander Sport/ASX/RVR compact and the Outlander/PHEV midsize models.
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According to just-auto‘s PLDB production life database, this additional SUV was likely to have been previewed by the eX, a plug-in crossover concept which was first seen at October 2015’s Tokyo motor show. The Eclipse or Outlander Sport+ (PLDB’s speculative model names) is expected to be available with petrol, diesel, EV and PHEV powertrains. It will be larger than the next Outlander Sport/ASX/RVR (expected to be a little smaller than the current model) – we think Nissan Qashqai-size – but smaller than the Outlander.
Should Mitsubishi go with the Eclipse nameplate, most likely for NAFTA markets, it would be reviving a name used for a sporty compact car it produced in the US between 1989 and 2011, adding a convertible during the 1996 model year. The model was rebadged as the Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser under the then-close relationship with Chrysler, to which Mitsubishi had provided ‘captive imports’ for years. The partnership was known as Diamond Star Motors with a factory in Normal, Illinois, which Mitsubishi took over completely in 1995. After various lines of Mitsubishi and Chrysler group branded models, it most recently built the current ASX – badged Outlander Sport in the US – until last November when the factory closed.
MMC said its new SUV styling features include a wedge-shape belt line, a ‘forceful’ character line running through the side, a more steeply raked rear window, and long wheelbase with short rear overhang proportions.
“These produce a sharp and active looking coupe SUV shape that represents MMC’s vehicles. Together with heavily flared front and rear fenders, these elements create a dynamic and sporty design that engenders the powerful image of a stocky track athlete,” MMC said in a statement.
See also: Geneva show debuts list
