Rumormill: Mitsubishi readying Lancer Sportback crossover
Sources out of Japan suggest that Mitsubishi is considering offering a jacked-up version of the Lancer Sportback to international markets in 2010. The new model would come equipped with a higher ride height, a restyled fascia and protective body panels similar to those found on the old Subaru Outback and Audi Allroad.
Based off the current Lancer architecture, the compact crossover is almost guaranteed to be packing the Evolution IX's all-wheel-drive system, and if Mitsubishi offers the 240hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter from the Ralliart, the Sportback X could be a serious contender in a market filled with bland and dynamically-challenged CUVs.
[Source: Carscoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Go read someone else his name 6:45PM (7/29/2008)
It mustn't get any crazier than this (or must it?)
anyhow, I kinda like it :)
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Kwesi 9:42PM (7/29/2008)
1st response : LAAD (as in nasty)
2 seconds later,..dat mek it still (as in, it definately looks cool enough)
and i dont mond the whoring put of the lancer architecture *red star* on the contrary, if a good architecture is available,..why waste money trying to make more? i think the RA- (next eclipse) should hold on to this architecture as well,..as too the zf (but i think there getting that architecture as well)
But that still leaves unanswered questions:
1) where does this fall in the lineup? (in light of the fact that the ct was just confirmed for production)
2) how different will it be from the regular sportback? both inside and out?
Red Star 6:45PM (7/29/2008)
Mitsubishi should focus on cars other than Lancer. There are so many Lancer models and the rest of lineup is pretty much dead.
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TwinTurboVR4 7:03PM (7/29/2008)
though the fron fascia looks like a lancer, calling this thing a lancer version is pretty inaccurate. Mitsu struck a good chord with the new Evo/Lancer styling, so they are kind of adapting it to other things. Just becasue all Audi's have basically the same front end doesnt mean they're all versions of the same car.
I think it looks pretty good, actually. But they had better but something bigger that the Lancer's n/a 2.0 in there.
thomas perez 7:41PM (7/29/2008)
except that its not just styled like a lancer..... its based on the lancer platform... essentially a lancer with a lift kit and a body kit to cover the gaps and such.
its kinda funky looking... i dont think it will sell too well over here, but i can see this thing selling well in central/south america
Red Star 8:16PM (7/29/2008)
It does look exactly like a lifted Lancer Sportback.
Dazza 8:45PM (7/29/2008)
I'd disagree with that. The Colt, Grandis and Eclipse are all interesting vehicles.
mk 11:49PM (7/29/2008)
Have to disagree that the Eclipse is interesting, and I haven't seen the other two. Perhaps that indicates their market awareness.
The eclipse is oversized, and under-performing compared to how it has been in the past. The styling is questionable, although the Concept RA is not bad. It also solves the power problem... by turning to EVO parts.
BTW, Nice avatar, Thomas. Or as a browncoat, perhaps it is a bad avatar. Two by two, hands of blue. :D
Victor 6:48PM (7/29/2008)
"Jacked up" is the correct term to use here.
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MONTE 6:57PM (7/29/2008)
Another car in the same vein as the Outback, Allroad and Forester, I'm good with that! For those of us that a FWD car just won't work out that well because of our climate it is nice to see some more AWD options out there that aren't bigass SUVs or trucks.
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rodan32 7:00PM (7/29/2008)
It's really not too bad. They could steer away from the Subaru Baja color scheme, though. I'm always interested in AWD cars/wagons.
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Richard 7:16PM (7/29/2008)
Poor man's X6?
Maybe smart man's X6.
Not to be sexist here - using "man" in the collective sense, girls.
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Xcountryflyer 8:05PM (7/29/2008)
First thought, X6 disease is spreading.
BlackCanary 7:41AM (7/30/2008)
The AMC Eagle started the disease when it traveled to Africa and had relations with a monkey. Unprotected cars have been spreading it slowly over the years.
Richard 8:07AM (7/30/2008)
BlackCanary,
+1
That's good!
Juan 7:20PM (7/29/2008)
I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I actually like the way this thing looks. It looks sort of jacked-up and maybe a little awkward, but I'm digging this...
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Hike15 7:45PM (7/29/2008)
will they sell it in Australia?
cause it looks like something sold there
anywho...i doubt it well sell well in the U.S.
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Purifoy 7:48PM (7/29/2008)
Jeep produced a concept vehicle, known as the Varsity, along these lines a few years ago.
It's too bad it was never green-lighted for production.
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z527/Jeep_Varsity.aspx
http://conceptjeeps.blogspot.com/2007/08/2000-jeep-varsity.html
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jg 12:01AM (7/30/2008)
Looks like a Dodge Caliber.
The Luigiian 7:55PM (7/29/2008)
Now this I like. A 2009 AMC Eagle wagon, complete with plastic cladding.
At least it looks a lot better than the Eagle did.
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