Mitsubishi Announces All-New Outlander Mk. II for 2006

But there's more to the Outlander than Mitsubishi's official release. Following a longstanding tradition of cooperative

The Asian market Air Trek differs from the Outlander by its less distinguished snout, quad headlamps and slightly different tail. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America)

vehicle development with DaimlerChrysler, the Japanese automaker is said to have joined forces once again with the new crossover. Whether that development process started with the upcoming Lancer redesign, the chassis architecture which underpins the Outlander, a model which will share general C-segment architecture and drivetrains with the next-generation Dodge Neon replacement and Dodge Caliber (if this model actually comes to market as we've seen it introduced in concept form), or whether there was separate co-development with Outlander for future Chrysler Group (probably Dodge and Jeep) compact SUVs, is not known publicly.

The aforementioned C-Segment platform will be made in both front and all wheel drive variants, as with the current Outlander.

Following a longstanding tradition of cooperative vehicle development with DaimlerChrysler, the Japanese automaker is said to have joined forces once again with the new crossover. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

Mitsubishi claims that what it has learned in terms of body structure, panel and drivetrain technology will be reflected in the new Outlander, which should make it a competent, roadworthy companion, even with respect to the latest Outlander, which is highly praised for ride and handling.

There's also word that Mitsubishi may even create an extended wheelbase variant, in a similar fashion to what the company did with the European Colt to create the Colt Plus. This would allow the Outlander to accommodate additional cargo space, or a third row of seats like the Vitara-based Suzuki XL-7.