TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Mitsubishi preparing a Toyota Kluger challenger
Mid-size seven-seat SUV expected to break cover half-way through 2013Mitsubishi is poised to tackle Toyota head-on with bigger, broader 4WD range than the market leader within the next two years.
Mitsubishi's extensive 4WD line-up is expected to be bolstered even further by a mid-size softroader designed to compete with the Toyota Kluger, Ford Territory and Holden Captiva.
At this week's Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi revealed an updated version of the concept SUV it unveiled two years ago.
The Mitsubishi PX-MiEV II is a plug-in hybrid, but motoring.com.au understands that the production car will be available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power.
While there is some speculation this is the design study for the next generation Outlander, it is in fact designed to fill the last void in its recreational vehicle line-up: a mid-size SUV.
Mitsubishi Australia vice president Paul Unerkov, pictured, would not speculate on the all-new vehicle, other than to say: "It's an SUV concept, but what size and shape and seating configuration it ultimately will take is yet to be determined."
The Kluger competitor will give Mitsubishi the most comprehensive 4WD and softroader line-up in Australia, starting with the sub-compact SUV, the ASX, the compact Outlander, sandwiching the new mid-size SUV with the heavy duty Challenger and Pajero 4WDs.
"Australia is a very important market for these types of vehicles and we want to make sure we have an answer for every need," he said.
The PX-MiEV II has two 60kW electric motors (one for the front wheels and another for the rear) which are, in part, powered by a 70kW 2.0-litre petrol engine.
Able to drive up to 50km on a single charge before switching to petrol power, the PX-MiEV II sips less than 4.0L/100km – as frugal as a Toyota Prius – although the production version is not likely to be as thirifty.
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