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NEWS
TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Mitsubishi teases new Pajero
Plug-in hybrid concept previewing new Paj to be joined by MPV and compact SUV show carsMitsubishi will present three new concept cars at the 43 Tokyo motor show next month, offering a glimpse of at least two of the company's future production models.
The big news for Australians is that one – the GC-PHEV – is expected to form the basis of the long-awaited, next-generation Pajero. 'GC' is an abbreviation of 'Grand Cruiser', which exposes Mitsubishi's intended target for the production version. In its press information, Mitsubishi describes the GC-PHEV as "a next-generation full-size SUV" – albeit one with a high-output hybrid-drive system. According to the manufacturer the GC-PHEV will feature an S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) integrated vehicle dynamic control system for what the company refers to as "genuine SUV off-road capability."
Some of the show car's safety features and net-connected comfort and convenience features are likely to see the light of day in the next-gen Pajero, which – in its current, twice-facelifted form – was introduced back in 2006. Mitsubishi has previously developed a hybrid-based show car to introduce the form of a new off-roader; 2011's Concept PX-MiEV previewing the current Outlander. Three years before that, the diesel-powered Concept-cX provided a foretaste of the ASX.
The other two cars appearing on the stand alongside the GC-PHEV are the Concept XR-PHEV and the Concept AR. As the name indicates, XR-PHEV ('Cross Runner') is a plug-in hybrid like the GC-PHEV, but is a smaller vehicle with "coupe-like styling." That suggests in production form it may be a new model developed along similar lines to the Range Rover Evoque. According to Mitsubishi it's a "compact SUV" in size, which makes it nominally based on the Outlander platform.
Concept AR ('Active Runabout') is being touted by Mitsubishi as a "next-generation compact MPV," but with SUV-like "practicality and mobility." Depending on how Mitsubishi defines 'compact', this car will certainly be smaller than the Grandis people mover previously sold in Australia. It's unlikely to seat seven, which would effectively rule it out for Australia as a people mover per se. Powered by a small-displacement turbocharged engine with direct injection, the Concept AR could end up resembling a modern-day Renault Scenic RX-4 – roomy for five people with limited off-road ability and aimed specifically at European markets.
But hey, doesn't that sound a bit like the ASX?
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