Autoblog

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]

Click above image to enlarge

The purpose-built rally car that Mitsubishi fields in the no-longer-aptly-named 2009 Dakar (the venue for the race is now South America, remember) will shed its Pajero moniker as well as the nominal styling elements that tied it to the Mitsu SUV. Instead, the new MRX09 is the "Racing Lancer". As such, the front end gets the Lancer's "Run for your lives!" gaping maw grille and squinty headlamps. In its press release announcing the updated vehicle, Mitsubishi also reaches for another Lancer tie-in when it points out the happy coincidence that the MRX09's bodywork "is redolent of the Lancer Sportback", which is another way of saying, "it slopes down in the rear." In any case, the Lancerized bodywork is more appealing than the squareback rump the Pajero racer wore. The new race buggy's drivetrain consists of the erstwhile Pajero Evolution's competition-prepped e4WD system and 3.0L turbodiesel producing over 260 horses and 480 lb-ft of torque. Air will be caught, sand will be kicked, and if history is any indication, a trophy will be hoisted when all's said and done.

[Source: Mitsubishi via Paul Tan]

Click above for more spy shots of the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback.

We're eagerly anticipating the debut of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and its Ralliart variant in Paris this September, and these recent shots of the five-door making the rounds in Barcelona are just enough to keep us interested. Judging by the German numberplates and a couple of shots that surfaced on Autoweek.nl, we'd guess that the Ralliart Sportback is in the hands of motoring journalists abroad or was on its way to a photoshoot ahead of its launch.

As we've seen previously, the Ralliart hatch takes the Evo-styled front end from its four-door counterpart, along with new side sills, darkened wheels and a subtle rear spoiler. In Europe, the Lancer Sportback will come equipped with either a 1.5- or 1.8-liter four, or a 2.0-liter turbodiesel, while those of us in the U.S. get to enjoy an Evolution experience on the cheap, with a de-tuned version of the 4B11T/C 2.0-liter four, producing 237 hp and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. We like it in red, white or slate grey would be our chosen hue when the Sportback goes on sale in the States early next year.



[Sources: The Auto Union, Autoweek.nl]

Click above for a high resolution gallery of the S3 Sportback

Audi has revealed the model updates for the European-spec 2009 A3 and S3. Both are slightly larger than the previous version, and the S3 is now available in the 5-door Sportback version. The front of the A3 receives a freshened look including a more complex design around the grille and more modern headlights with optional bi-xenon units that incorporate LEDs. At the rear there is a modified tailgate and the taillight design uses fiber optic rods to create a pretty cool effect. The interior features new aluminum design trim and new colors and fabrics for the seats, and the controls for the audio system have been given a new look. As for the powertrain, the Euro-only diesel engines have been reworked to include an updated fuel injection system. All engine options are now available with the S tronic transmission, and the 1.6, 1.4 TFSI and 1.8 TFSI engines can be paired with a newly developed seven-speed version.

Follow the jump for the full press release with all the details for the updated A3 and S3, and check out the galleries of each car below.

[Source: Audi]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Prototype-S concept.

Mitsubishi put out a press release earlier today outlining its global business plan for the next few years. The official title of the blueprint for Mitsubishi's future is "Step Up 2010" and the automaker's overall prognostication looks good globally, but more "bear" than "bull" for the U.S. market.

Sales in the States are expected to drop by some 15,000 units by 2011, something that isn't entirely unexpected, while Mitsubishi figures that worldwide sales will increase from the 1.34 million units sold currently to 1.42 million by March 31, 2011. Most of the boom is expected to come from emerging markets in Brazil, China, India, the Middle East and Russia, with the latter expected to climb by close to 70-percent and eclipsing the American market by around 63,000 vehicle sales.

Mitsubishi's focus in the U.S. will primarily center on making a profit over selling as many vehicles as it can. To that effect, incentives will be reduced, dealer quality will be improved and a renewed focus on passenger cars will be established. On the product front, Mitsubishi is touting the introduction of the Evolution X that's currently on sale, plus a redesigned Eclipse that will be coming to market in the next few years. Although there wasn't much in the way of product announcements, the release clearly stated that it would offer "a sport hatchback Lancer model [after the release of the Evo X]." Incredibly good news for enthusiasts, particularly if it equips the Sportback with the Ralliart's drivetrain, similar to the Prototype-S that's due to be unveiled next week in Geneva.

Mitsubishi's full press release is posted after the jump.

Click the image above for a high-res gallery.

Our new friend Dan sent us a few sketches of what's supposedly the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, a near production-ready version of the Sportback Concept that debut back in 2005. Although we're not sure if these are official images out of Mitsu-HQ, they're very similar to some of the concept sketches we've seen in the past.

This new shot stays true to the original Sportback concept's profile and lines, but comes complete with a front clip that's more reminiscent of the rest of the Lancer line and a rear end that looks far more feasible for production. When the hatch finally makes it to dealers, likely sometime later this year, expect power to come from a 2.4-liter four, with an Evo version getting the same turbocharged 2.0-liter and all-wheel-drive system from its four-door sibling. And if Mitsubishi is smart, and decides to bring the hatch to the States, a Ralliart version to compete with the Subaru Impreza WRX five-door should be in the cards.

Audi's A5 line was supposed to mean "coupe," but the exception to the rule appears to be the Sportback variant. While the renderings give it five doors, the car definitely retains its coupe DNA -- there'll be no chance of confusing it with an A4 Avant. The bog standard Sportback will make do with front wheel drive and common rail diesels producing 140 to 200 hp. Step above that and you'll get gas options that utilize Audi's TFSI engines, as well as quattro and torque vectoring. The star at the top of the Christmas tree goes by the name of RS5, and gets the 4.2-liter FSI V8. If the final version looks as good as the renderings, then we think we need two.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Mitsubishi's onslaught of "Project Global"-based vehicles, including the Outlander and Lancer, will expand to include the Delica D:5 minivan and a new tri-diamond crossover. Before those last two hit the market, Mitsubishi intends to slap a fifth door onto the back of the Lancer and call it the Sportback.

The next addition to the Lancer family will debut in "concept" form at the Frankfurt Motor Show and will specifically be geared towards European consumers. That doesn't mean those of us in the States will be left out, and we'd expect an Evo Sportback as well.

Mitsubishi's press release is posted after the jump.

[Source: Mitsubishi]