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Next Lancer Sportback to be Launched in Frankfurt

The previous Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback was a simple compact station wagon,designed to compete in a market of decreasing volume and players against the likes of the Ford Focus Wagon and VW Jetta Wagon. However, like most Lancers of that era, besides the much sought after Evolution and the peppy Ralliart model, it simply wasn't an interesting car. Nowadays, Mitsubishi is busy making up ground with its new Lancer sedan that debuted in North America earlier this year.

The Lancer was engineered on Mitsubishi's “Project Global” platform, which underpins a large number of vehicles including the D:5 Delica minivan (Japan only) and the Outlander. Currently, Mitsubishi only sells the Lancer in

The original Concept-Sportback (pictured) laid the foundations for the Lancer Sedan. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

North America and Japan, but is now acting on its plans to make the new Lancer a global vehicle by launching European-specific models at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Our friends across the Atlantic will receive Lancers with a multitude of different engines, including a few that aren't sold here such as the base 110-hp 1.5L MIVEC I-4, and a Volkswagen-sourced2.0-liter turbodiesel. Overseas models also get a surprisingly large choice of transmissions including manuals, an automatic,

Sleek shape is the opposite of the previous Lancer Sportback. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

a CVT gearbox and a 6-speed clutchless manual transmission dubbed Allshift.

But Mitsubishi will have more to display at Frankfurt. As was announced earlier this week, the triple-diamond company will be showing off the next member of the Lancer family in a near-production prototype form, the long awaited Lancer Sportback. This is an all-too obvious addition to Mitsubishi's global effort in the C-segment, given that a growing number of consumers are purchasing compact hatchback cars, never mind the fact that the Lancer's arch-rival, the Subaru Impreza has moved from a wagon to a hatchback body, which was selected as the sole bodystyle for non-North American markets.

Since the Concept-Sportback's

With many automakers now opting for hatchback body styles, Mitsubishi would be foolish not to make this a global offering. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

styling was so well received, it's expected that Mitsubishi will take on a similar design for the near-production concept vehicle. Unlike the previous Sportback, which was a wagon with a near vertical tailgate, the Sportback's tail end is sloped to such a large degree that it could be considered a fastback. This will undoubtedly have an effect on cargo volume, but the trade-off between style and versatility is definitely worth it! While the panoramic roof that melds into the windscreen isn't likely to make it to production, we think that a regular panoramic roof or an extra-large sunroof would be a good addition.

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