Joining the Lancer Sportback on the Mitsubishi Motors stand for its first viewing is the face-lifted, made in Europe, Colt which is built at the Mitsubishi Motors NedCar Factory in Borne, The Netherlands.

Debuting alongside the new Lancer Sportback and Colt models is Mitsubishi Motors' new Racing Lancer turbodiesel competition car. The company will enter the car in the next Dakar Rally, which moves from the African to the South American continent for 2009. Also shown in Paris is the iMiEV new-generation electric vehicle, currently undergoing testing in Japan, with exploratory plans scheduled or under consideration in the United States, New Zealand and Iceland.

Other current Mitsubishi models are displayed alongside the new models.

Exhibit highlights

Lancer Sportback

The Lancer Sportback is a 5-door sport hatchback, and is distinguished by the Mitsubishi Motors signature inverted-slant nose and trapezoidal "jet fighter" grille. Spearheading the new model line-up is the Lancer Sportback Ralliart, a sport-driving oriented 4WD version powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine matched to Mitsubishi Motors' Twin Clutch SST high-efficiency automated manual transmission.

Colt (European market model)

Mitsubishi Motors launched the Colt series in Europe in 2004, and since that time it has sold some 270,000 models. The series includes many variants including the 5-door Colt, 3-door Colt CZ3, turbocharged 3-door Colt CZT and soft-top Colt CZC.

Major changes to the new European Colt unveiled at the Paris Motor Show include the Mitsubishi Motors signature inverted-slant nose and trapezoidal "jet fighter" grille also used on the Lancer series. The 5-door body models also feature a restyled rear end and are joined by a new turbocharged trim level. A new Colt Ralliart trim level is offered in both 5-door and 3-door versions.

The new Colt series also reflects Mitsubishi Motors' strong commitment to the environment. The low-CO2 Colt Clear Tec model is powered by a 1.1- or 1.3-litre engine which incorporates the company's AS&G (auto stop-&-go) idling stop system. In addition, the 1.3-litre Colt Clear Tec FFV caters to growing demand for flexible-fuel vehicles.>

Racing Lancer

The Racing Lancer uses a new multi-tubular steel frame. Special efforts have been made to reduce weight and lower the centre of gravity, for example by positioning the fuel tank closer to the ground. The spare tyres have been relocated to reduce moment of inertia and improve handling. The 3-litre V6 diesel engine features a two-stage turbocharger that delivers boost across the full speed range and sees the unit produce maximum power of at least 206 kW (280 PS) and peak torque of 650 Nm (66.3 kgfm). Racing Lancer's permanent four-wheel driveline features a self-locking center differential. Suspension at front and rear double wishbone/coil spring-based system.

Mitsubishi Motors has competed in 25 consecutive Dakar Rallies since 1983 and continues to recognise that the event provides the ultimate proving ground for engine and 4WD technologies. The company will continue to compete in this rally and to feed back the results and know how gained into the development of new-generation clean diesel engines and of 4WD systems.

The zero-emissions i MiEV electric vehicle

As one of the company's initiatives for reducing global warming and dependence on fossil fuels, MMC plans to bring the i MiEV electric vehicle to market in Japan in 2009.

The i MiEV utilises a large-capacity lithium-ion battery system and a compact, high-output electric motor in place of the traditional petrol powertrain.

MMC is currently working with several electric power companies in Japan in conducting i MiEV fleet testing programmes with a view to making EV technology commercially viable and electric vehicles a common sight on roads as soon as possible. (Japan: Tokyo Electric Power Company, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Ltd., Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc., Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd., Okinawa Electric Power Company, Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc., and the Hokuriku Electric Power Company.)