Outlander's smaller brother on its way

Some of the Concept cX's aggressive lives will be toned down for the production version.

Mitsubishi New Zealand plans to import a new compact crossover to slot-in beneath the Outlander just as soon as it can get hold of stock.

It will be based on the Concept-cX first shown two years ago at the Frankfurt auto show, although some of the aggressive body lines will be toned down for the production version.

Outlander has been a top seller for Mitsubishi and there's expected to be a good market for a smaller brother as buyers look for smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

"We are exceptionally excited about it and will be including it in our lineup at the earliest possible time next year," Daniel Cook, Mitsubishi Motors' marketing manager told SuperWheels.

"I don't yet have information on specifications, model variants or pricing, but from what we have seen it is an exceptionally well designed vehicle, well suited to our customers."

The vehicle is likely to be produced in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel versions, but both configurations may not be taken up in New Zealand.

Cook said it would be wrong to liken it to the small Pajero iO 4WD, which once fitted below the Pajero, when the Outlander was still a gleam in the designers' eyes. "This new model promises to be a stylish and enjoyable small vehicle for people who lead active lifestyles," said Cook.

The five-seater, which has yet to be named, will be released in Japan in February - that could put it on New Zealand roads around mid-year. A near-production model will be shown at the Tokyo motor show this month.

It's likely to be priced well below the Outlander and will compete with such vehicles as the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.

The production cX will be on a new platform and powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine of less than 2.4 litres, or a 1.8 litre Euro 5 emissions-compatible diesel that was used in the cX concept. The diesel is meant primarily for the European market.

The petrol engine, at least, will be mated to either a conventional manual transmission or an SST dual-clutch automated manual similar to the Lancer's.