Mitsubishi Concept-cX

By Richard Yarrow

09th August 2007

Only months after launching the new Outlander 4x4, Mitsubishi has officially revealed this: its baby Shogun.

Measuring 4.10 metres long, the car is currently known as the Concept-cX, and will make its world debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

It wears the marque’s jet fighter-style grille – already seen on the all-new Lancer – and features electrically controlled four-wheel drive based on the Outlander’s mechanicals. There’s also alloy-look underbody protection on the bumpers and sills.

However, our sources say the model is intended to be a link between the firm’s road cars and its mud-pluggers. That means the production version will be biased towards tarmac use rather than extreme off-roading. There’s
certainly a gap in Mitsubishi’s range, as the small Shogun Pinin – axed in 2006 – was never replaced.

Under the bonnet, the show car gets a 1.8-litre diesel designed to meet the latest EuroV emissions legislation. It’s mated to an automatic transmission, which previews an all-new family of powertrains due in 2009.

Inside, advanced features include what bosses are describing as ‘green’ cabin trim; the plastics are constructed from plant-based resin. However, unlike the Outlander – which has space for seven thanks to a third row of seats which folds out of the boot – the roadgoing version of the Concept-cX will be a strict five-seater. And it won’t be the only new model on the Mitsubishi stand at Frankfurt – fresh petrol and diesel variants of the Outlander are set to debut, too. The 168bhp 2.4-litre petrol and 154bhp 2.2 Di-D join the 138bhp oil-burner in the line-up. And the SUV also features fresh alloys, rain-sensing wipers and a rear parking camera.