Mitsubishi Concept-CX (2007): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

31 August 2007 10:55

The Concept-CX looks like a Lancer supermini?

Close, but no cigar. This is Mitsubishi’s Concept-CX and it shares the frontal styling (which the company describes as ‘a tight and powerful wedge’) and twin-clutch gearbox with the forthcoming Lancer Evo X. What the hot Lancer won’t get will be the company’s new 1.8-litre diesel engine that's in the CX. Due to be unveiled at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the CX gives clues to how the Colt’s styling may evolve, and the concept should evolve into a production car in the mould of the Fiat Sedici/Suzuki SX4, as well as the Kia Soul CAR Online scooped this week.

The Concept-CX runs Mitsubishi’s all-new clean diesel. This 1.8-litre unit has 134bhp at 4000rpm and 207lb ft at a lowish 2000rpm thanks to a variable geometry turbocharger. Combine that with a particulate filter and the engine is Euro 5 compliant. And it all drives through Mitsubishi’s all new Twin Clutch SST (sports shift transmission), the Japanese equivalent to VW's DSG gearbox trickery. Mitsubishi has just announced that its July sales figures for 2007 are up 6.9 percent compared with the same month last year; combined with the success of the Outlander and the glitzier new Lancer the company is feeling rather bullish. At Frankfurt we should hear whether the CX is going to be made.

By Ben Pulman