Mitsubishi Teases New SUV Ahead Of Geneva Debut

Unequivocally, this will be the most anticipated product from the Japanese brand in recent years. Also, it will be the first major unveil under the Nissan-Renault ownership era.

Mitsubishi has teased a new coupe-like SUV ahead of its 2017 Geneva Motor Show debut on March 7. The SUV, which is yet to get an official name, is rumoured to be christened the Eclipse. Rings a bell? The Eclipse was a discontinued Mitsubishi sports car that also featured in The Fast And The Furious movie. If rumours are to be believed, Mitsubishi will, strangely, revive the Eclipse moniker with a new crossover. 

(In Picture: Mitsubishi Eclipse)

The silhouette of the teased SUV hints that this, perhaps, is the production version of the XR-PHEV II concept that made its debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The XR-PHEV II concept was an updated version of the XR-PHEV, which was unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. The Japanese automaker has highlighted in an official release that the new SUV will sit between Mitsubishi’s entry level SUV – the ASX or the Outlander Sport – and the Outlander (discontinued from India). 

According to the automaker, in terms of design,  the new SUV “features highly chamfered contours with a wedge-shaped belt line and a distinctive V-line in the rear quarter stemming from the forward-slanted C-pillar and the chunky, muscular rear fenders.” It will reportedly go on sale in the USA first; probably later this year. That will be followed by its launch in other markets. Speaking of India, there is a high possibility of Mitsubishi launching it in the country as it cannot rely on just one product – the Pajero Sport – for its Indian operation. Also, the company is now owned by the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which will give it freedom in terms of funds and plant sharing. 

Find out how Nissan’s takeover will affect Mitsubishi’s Indian operations here: Nissan-Mitsubishi Coalition: How It Affects India