Mitsubishi Concept-cX

From a way over-the-top show concept courtesy of Nissan to a more subdued Japanese concept from Mitsubishi.

This is the Concept-cX, a compact SUV to be unveiled by Mitsubishi in Frankfurt that's a hell of a lot more likely to find its way to production than the Mixim.

There's emphasis on the word 'compact' - the Concept-cX is barely longer than a Skoda Fabia and only a few centimetres taller, too, despite its jacked-up ride height. Think Suzuki SX-4 and you're in the right territory.

The Concept-cX is a more arresting-looking beast than the Suzuki, however. With the same 'jet fighter' nose as the new Lancer and wide wheel arches, there's a lot of styling for such a small soft-roader - and that's before we even get to the heavy swage line and split-folding tailgate.

Overall we're not completely sold by the cX's appearance, but at least it's compact and neat and a welcome departure from the oft-lumpen world of SUV styling.

It's powered by Mitsubishi's distinctly un-concept-sounding 1.8-litre Clean Diesel engine, which puts 134bhp and 206lb ft of torque through all four wheels. We'll see it in production cars from early 2009 in Europe.

However, the Concept-cX's dual-clutch auto-manual gearbox (Mitsubishi's own shot at joining the Volkswagen DSG party) should arrive sooner - perhaps on the Lancer or even Evo X if we're lucky.

Just to prove it's still a proper concept, the cX gets an interior constructed of bamboo resin and a couple of uncomfortable-looking seats that Mitsubishi describes as 'thinly padded but welcoming'.

We'll put that claim to the test with Top Gear's patented 'buttock-sensitivometer' at Mitsubishi's Frankfurt stand.

© Source: insideline
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