PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Mitsubishi teases Grand Tourer concept

Mitsubishi has revealed a sleek new SUV concept that's likely to preview its next Outlander.

Called the Grand Tourer, the new SUV is claimed to launch the "latest expression" of Mitsubishi's design language, which could debut on the car that will replace the aged Outlander and influence plenty more concepts in the future.

The concept is also very likely to show off the firm’s next-generation plug-in hybrid technology.

Interestingly, despite releasing limited information on the Grand Tourer, the firm says the new concept will also offer "effortless travel both on and off the beaten track, whatever the driving conditions". This hints that the production car that will no doubt be spun off the Grand Tourer will have genuine off-road ability.

The Japanese car-maker is pinning its hopes on an SUV future as it emerges from its own VW-style dieselgate emissions scandal, which led to a Nissan takeover that's likely to see the next-generation Triton based on Nissan's Navara.

Last year it announced it would launch a new compact SUV that will be based on the XR PHEV II concept that was shown at last year's Geneva motor show, in addition to a new ASX previewed by the Concept eX.

Those SUVs will also be based on the same platform as the future Outlander.

In total, Mitsubishi says it will have five SUVs: ASX, new compact SUV, Outlander, Pajero and Pajero Sport, but so far there's no sign of a new Pajero.