All-new Lancer to debut at Detroit

Mitsubishi gave us a sneak preview of its next-generation Lancer via last year's Concept-X and Concept-Sportback show cars — now stand by for the real thing.

The tri-diamond brand has announced it will showcase its 2008 Lancer at January's Detroit motor show, and it has released this stylised sketch of the vehicle to whet the public's appetites in the lead-up to the show.

Ignore the exaggerated squat proportions and ultra-low roofline of the rendered car, but take particular note of its face — comprising a "shark nose" and "deep-set eyes" — as this design language will carry through to the production version.

There are distinct shades of the Alfa Romeo 159 in the new Lancer's styling, and this is by no means a bad thing as the Milanese sedan is decidedly easy on the eye.

The Lancer is scheduled for a US debut around April, and we should see it locally later next year.

The new sedan is built off Mitsubishi's first global platform -- known as Project Global, funnily enough -- and this architecture is shared with the latest-gen Outlander compact SUV.

Mitsubishi says Project Global will "support the launch of several new Mitsubishi vehicles over the next few years, designed from the outset for world markets."

The company also revealed that the platform would be used as the basis for future models from DaimlerChrysler and PSA Peugeot Citroën. The French brands recently unveiled their interpretations of the Outlander -- dubbed 4007 and C-Cross respectively.

Although the base models in the new Lancer range will line up against high-volume contenders such as the Toyota Corolla, enthusiasts will be salivating at the prospect of the eagerly anticipated Ralliart and Evo X high-po variants.

Expect the latter to raise the bar from the already formidable Evo IX via increased power from its turbocharged engine (an all-new unit), more sophisticated electronic chassis/ stability controls and greater aero efficiency.

Incidentally, the 'Project Global' platform also heralds the debut of the 'World Engine' family of powerplants, co-developed with DaimlerChrysler and Hyundai Motor Company.

Although jointly engineered, Mitsubishi says the engines it will use in its vehicles "have been modified by the company for individual market and model use."