Mitsubishi Motor Corporation has lined up a range of vehicles to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show that takes place in just over a week. The diverse line-up includes the European market version of the Lancer sports sedan and the eco-friendly Concept-cX compact SUV.
By Kelly Lodewyks
North America, Russia and Japan have already received the new Lancer, and it will arrive in South Africa shortly. According to Mitsubishi Motors, the new sedan has been well received as a “global standard sporty sedan”.
The Lancer will be available with three engines – a 1,5-litre dohc MIVEC, 1,8-litre dohc MIVEC and a 2,0-litre turbocharged diesel.
The 1,5-litre, mated with a four-speed manual or 5-speed automatic gearbox, delivers a maximum power output of 80 kW. Power for the new 1,8-litre powerplant stands at 105 kW. This new engine has an aluminium cylinder block, and is available with the INVECS-III six-speed Sport Mode CVT transmission or a five-speed manual transmission. Mitsubishi’s 2,0-litre turbocharged diesel is mated with a six-speed manual transmission and can delivers103 kW.
The body of the new Lancer is wider, taller and slightly longer than the current model, and has a wider track for better stability.
Utility and convenience specifications for the new Lancer includes a Rockford Fosgate sound system, paddle shifters, and standard on all models is Mitsubishi Motors interior that includes a pollen-removing air filter.
Safety features include SRS airbags (driver and front passenger airbags, driver knee airbag, side and curtain airbags), and adaptive front lighting (AFS) that helps to improve the driver’s field of vision at night.
Mitsubishi has designed its Concept-cX to be SUV/ sports hatchback crossover. The Japanese marque hopes that it will “stir a sense of adventure to ‘cut a swathe’ through the hustle and bustle of urban life.”
At the heart of the cX lies a new 1,8-litre clean diesel engine that features a variable geometry turbocharger for optimised boost control. This new powerplant also has a diesel oxidation catalyst with diesel particulate filter in the exhaust system. The cX features Mitsubishi’s new Twin Clutch Sport Shift Transmission that, according to Mitsubishi “delivers superior power transmission efficiency in a powertrain that realizes zippy performance with excellent fuel economy and low emissions.”
The cX has a wedge shape, makes use of large tyres, and the front has an inverted-slant nose with a trapezoidal grille aping that of the Lancer Evo X. Interior trim materials are made from the company’s own Green Plastic that is made from plant-based resins.
The Concept-cX uses Mitsubishi’s electronically-controlled 4WD system and large 225/45R19 wheel that should make the vehicle easy to use both on- and off-road.
Other cars in the Mitsubishi line-up at Frankfurt include the Prototype X, Pajero Evolution, Lancer 1600 GSR and the Colt (CZC and CZT).