Tokyo Preview: Mitsubishi plans to debut plug-in hybrid concept
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Concept-cX
Back in 2007, Mitsubishi showed off a new vehicle called the Concept cX at the Frankfurt Motor Show. At the time, the small crossover was powered by Mitsu's latest clean diesel technology. A small 1.8-liter diesel engine featuring a variable geometry turbocharger was mated to a dual clutch SST transmission and the all-wheel-drive system lifted from the latest Lancer Evolution. Sounds pretty cool, right? Perhaps the Japanese automaker has something even better up its sleeve.
According to Autocar, Mitsubishi will introduce a new concept vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show in October that will be based on the Concept cX design but feature plug-in hybrid technology. Called the Concept zC, the new PHEV will reportedly have styling inspired by the firm's Racing Lancer with a hatchback bodystyle and raised ground clearance and will use the GS platform from the Lancer and Outlander. Should this new concept make it to production, it'll take at least three years to get here.
Gallery: Mitsubishi Concept-cX
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jharlan 6:30PM (3/05/2009)
This is what we are waiting for, modern diesel tech paired with advanced hybrid tech, a practical, reasonably affordable, extremely economical vehicle.
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NeilBlanchard 9:18PM (3/05/2009)
Hi,
It seems that this car's aerodynamics are less than ideal, and the wheels are large and heavy. What I see is a styling exercise; not a design for an efficient car.
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Brn 1:37AM (3/06/2009)
First, they need to address the fugly issue.
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tom 6:17PM (3/06/2009)
This car would beat the doors off the VOLT. Please put a nail in GM's coffin and spare us. We need to make room for better cars and manufacturers. If GM, FORD or Chrysler were smart, they'd ink a distribution agreement with some of the up and coming manufacturers, Apatera, Th!nk, Pinnifarina, Renault, Mitsubishi, etc.....VOLT and Prius technology are old already, much less in a few years.
Diesel mild hybrids or pure electric will both be unbeatable. Only Ford is going in the right direction with their pure electric cars and commercial trucks coming out.
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TIMMAH! 11:45PM (3/06/2009)
Wow, that's like "Volvo meets Scion"...
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