Mitsu names new SUV

Mitsubishi's answer to the Nissan Dualis will reach Australia around the middle of next year, but the name for the local market is not yet set in concrete.

Powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine, the new car will be named RVR in global markets. It's smaller than the Outlander and, according to Mitsubishi, is a 'compact crossover' -- meaning buyers perhaps shouldn't expect to keep up with a Suzuki Jimny offroad.

The announcement the RVR would reach Australia was made by Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd (MMAL) President and CEO, Robert McEniry, during the recent launch of the new Challenger.

It's one of two new or upgraded models to be introduced here during the first half of next year, the other being an upgrade for the Colt light-segment car.

MMAL's Vice President of Brand Management, Paul Unerkov, told the Carsales Network in effect that the RVR will be brought here in anticipation of the local market following the global trend set by the Nissan Dualis.

"That part of the market's growing a bit," said Unerkov. "Tucson's getting a thousand [sales] a month."

In Australia, the X-TRAIL-based Nissan 'crossover' has not been the substantial sales success that it has been in foreign markets, branded as the Nissan Qashqai.

"It hasn't hit here," explained Unerkov. "Dualis hasn't really taken off here, but if you have a look around the world, the Dualis in Europe -- they're selling quite a few of them.

"Why does it sell over there and doesn't sell here? Dunno. We'll have to work that one out in the next six months. I think they [Nissan] positioned it wrong in the first place -- but I imagine that's how they positioned it all around the world."

MMAL's Head of Corporate Communications, Lenore Fletcher, subsequently told the Carsales Network that the name of the new model was yet to be decided for Australia.

"It would be unlikely to be called that here," she said of the 'RVR' nameplate to be used in other markets.

An all-wheel drive version of the Nimbus, but with three doors only was sold in Australia as a grey import, bearing the RVR name some years ago. In concept, the original was much the same sort of vehicle as the new car, but based on Fletcher's remarks, it doesn't sound like that name has even left the starting grid.

A rumour doing the rounds suggests that, in addition to the 1.8-litre MIVEC-equipped petrol engine that Mitsubishi has confirmed will be the powerplant for the RVR, there may also be a clean diesel alternative in the works. Given the acknowledged competitor for the RVR is the Nissan Qashqai, a diesel for the Mitsubishi sold in Europe seems a very strong likelihood.

More restrictive emissions legislation in Europe will force manufacturers -- including Mitsubishi -- to develop engines that will emit fewer than 130g/km of CO2 in the future. That fits with other information to hand, suggesting that Mitsubishi plans to introduce new 'clean diesel' engines from 2011 or 2012. Although little has been revealed, the Carsales Network understands that the new engines will adopt such features as a higher pressure fuel system and injectors with additional holes.