Mitsubishi upbeat on imports

Mitsubishi Australia is looking forward to a brighter future and while it isn't off the back of the locally-built 380, it's not done with the local front-driver either. While the Japanese-owned company is pointing to its ever-increasing line-up of imported models as providing the backbone to the company's financial future, it will debut a facelifted 380 this year and may offer a powered-up version to boot.

Prime among the imports that will determine Mitsubishi's health going forward will be the all-new Lancer that was previewed at the Melbourne Motor Show this week as the Lancer Concept-Sportback (more here). Despite the concept tag, the hatch is close to production with it due here some time in 2008.

Before that though is the new Lancer sedan (pictured) that was unveiled at January's Detroit motor show (more here) and is due to arrive in Oz about October. The new Lancer will be powered by a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 2.4-litre unit likely to follow. There will also be new all-wheel drive turbocharged models later.

In Europe, the Lancer will be available with a choice of diesel engines and with a growing interest in diesel cars Down Under, this might prove to be a desirable local option for the Japanese maker further down the track.

With its first ever hatchback body style and substantial increase in model variants, the Lancer will be a major part of Mitsubishi's volume in Australia. Already last year, sales of the small car were up nearly 15 per cent on the previous 12 months and the car was the company's bestselling model.

Speaking at last Friday's Melbourne International Motor Show opening, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) president and CEO, Rob McEniry, said the forthcoming Lancer provided an indication of the sort of products that the company will be introducing and point to a "revolution that is taking place in our product range".

"Following a series of new product launches, the Mitsubishi line-up in Australia offers a comprehensive range of attractive vehicles in all the right segments," McEniry said.

"From performance cars to go-anywhere four-wheel drives -- they're all part of the Mitsubishi Revolution."

McEniry also hinted at further Outlander variants arriving Down Under. Both turbodiesel and turbo sports models have been rumoured.

The 380 meantime has settled at a steady 1000-1100 sales per month -- up on the same time last year. A Series III facelift version will debut mid-year with changes expected to include some modifications to the model line-up.

To help improve interest in its local product at MIMS, the company dusted off the TMR (Team Mitsubishi Ralliart) version of the 380 which it first displayed at the Sydney motor show last year. Although still dubbed a concept, the car is now more likely to get the greenlight with production potentially moving in-house.

The TMR's supercharged version of the 3.5-litre V6 380 is expected to boast around 230kW of power enabling it to complete the 0-100kmh sprint in the 6sec range.

The TMR showcar featured Koni shocks, bigger brakes, 19-inch alloys and Recaro sports seats, however, the production model may be 'toned down' to keep it price-competitive.

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