Mitsubishi to Debut Compact Hatchback Concept at Frankfurt Auto Show

Could the Concept-Sportback be a Variant of the Next-Gen Lancer?

Despite its financial and sales setbacks, Mitsubishi continues to forge ahead, bringing new models and new technologies

Mitsubishi is preparing to tantalize auto show goers at this fall's Frankfurt Motorshow. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America)

to the market. This year has seen the launch of several new products from the triple-diamond brand, including the daring new Eclipse, the compact Colt 3-door hatchback, Colt C+C folding hardtop convertible, and the latest chapter of the cult-car classic, the Lancer Evolution IX.

While only one of these new offerings is available in Canada, the Eclipse, the success Mitsubishi has experienced with its new Colt has helped to bolster the brand worldwide, while the EVO's motorsport image is the envy of the sport compact world.

With four new models this year, and a handful last year, Mitsubishi is preparing to tantalize auto show goers at this fall's Frankfurt Motorshow with an all-new concept car called the Concept-Sportback.

According to sketches that Mitsubishi released, the Concept-Sportback is to be a compact five-door hatchback with

The Concept-Sportback is to be a compact five-door hatchback with plenty of modern styling cues captured from C-Segment class leaders. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America)

plenty of modern styling cues captured from C-Segment class leaders. With a wild body kit, inspired by the Lancer WRC rally car and the Paris-Dakar winning Pajero Evolution, the Lancer Sportback features a panoramic roof, a rooftop-mounted spoiler, and plenty of aggressive scoops and air dams, all wrapped around the trademark Mitsubishi nose. Previously, the Sportback name was used to designate the wagon variant of the Lancer. This time around, however, its use is more apt being that the concept "sports" a manual transmission, while the production version only came equipped with a conventional (read no manual-mode) four-speed automatic. The new concept delivers more eye-catching styling and a sportier demeanor as well.