Jump to content

Mitsubishi Lancer to be reborn as a...wait for it...Crossover...

Mitsubishi Lancer to be reborn as a...wait for it...Crossover...

Deeq

6,722 views

blog-0568514001524453069.jpg

blogentry-114362-0-71235000-1524453107_thumb.jpgThis image previews the look of the new Mitsubishi Lancer, which is set to return as a crossover and could get hybrid power.

Mitsubishi is working on a radical return for the Lancer name, as a funky C-segment crossover that will rival everything from the Ford Focus to Toyota’s C-HR.

 

The Japanese brand is enjoying a rapid growth in sales as part of the same Alliance that includes Renault and Nissan. Now the firm’s boss, Briton Trevor Mann, and chief designer Tsunehiro Kunimoto have started work in earnest on replacements for all of Mitsubishi’s current SUVs – and a new generation of small car and Lancer.

 

Mann revealed that the direction of the Lancer is close to being finalised – and he also gave a strong hint of what size of vehicle will carry the badge.

 

“We have a long-range product plan that’s pretty solid until 2025, and a dotted line beyond that,” he explained. “Within that what we’ve said is, ‘Which vehicles do we want? What are we going to work on?’ We’re going to replace ASX, Outlander and Triton. Then we have these two boxes: Pajero and Lancer.

 

“Lancer’s probably the easiest one; we believe we’ve got a solution that could fit the segment. Because if you look globally, the C-segment hatchback [Golf and Focus] market is not shrinking. It’s down a bit in the US and Europe. But its numbers are still expanding in China. So there is appeal. And I think because the segment is so large globally, we’ve got to take a look at it.”

 

Kunimoto says the design direction previewed by the e-Evolution (above) that was displayed at last year’s Tokyo show is ideal for a smaller vehicle. Our main preview image shows how it could evolve into a new Lancer hatch. “Just because it’s C-segment doesn’t mean it has to be a very conventional hatchback,” the designer explained.

 

“Maybe we can create a new type of hatchback vehicle. We’re thinking quite radically. Originality is as much a part of the Mitsubishi design philosophy now as consistency,” Kunimoto added.

 

The firm is likely to base the Lancer on the latest evolution of the Alliance’s CMF C/D platform. That would support a crossover shape like the e-Evolution’s, while also offering the potential for four-wheel drive and the adoption of Mitsubishi’s hybrid systems, tech that the Alliance brands are working hard to integrate into their platforms.




0 Comments


Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • It's okay, you're just feeling ambivalent

    I almost always struggle to describe my state of mind when asked to consider how I'm feeling. How do you express emotions that exist together but work in opposition to each other? When invited to join a gathering with friends, I delight over the prospect of catching up but also yearn to be lounging at home. I'm inspired by an accomplished co-worker yet envy her. I feel happy about a new beginning but nervous and, at the same time, sad over the closing of a chapter.  It's complicated. A
×
×
  • Create New...