Mitsubishi previews all-new compact crossover

At the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Mitsubishi unveiled the Concept-cX, a sharply styled compact crossover based on the platform of the new Lancer saloon. This week - two years later - it has been confirmed for production.

Mitsubishi has yet to release the new car's name, but it will clearly be designed for on-road usage first and foremost, even if the Japanese car maker describes it as a 'game changer'. The crossover continues Mitsubishi's move away from a model range biased towards traditional off-road vehicles towards conventional on-road cars.

Built on the platform of the Lancer, the new entrant to the marketplace should compete with the likes of the Kia Soul and could also step on the toes of the Ford Kuga, VW Tiguan and Toyota RAV4. It's likely that Mitsubishi will use the new model to showcase a state of the art turbodiesel engine developed in-house, while we expect both front- and four-wheel drive options, with the latter utilising some of the Lancer Evo's hardware.

The Japanese market receives the crossover in February 2010, while European sales will start following a debut at the Geneva Show in March.

Shane O' Donoghue