Confirmed for 2010 Geneva: Mitsubishi ASX Compact Crossover

Just as expected, the 2010 Geneva Motor Show will be the best occasion to roll out the latest contraptions in the European automotive world and Mitsubishi tries to take full advantage of this. The company will launch at the Geneva show the all-new ASX compact crossover, a model that represents the European flavor of the Japanese RVR that will go on sale next month.

The ASX will provide enough room for 5 occupants and will go on sale in select European markets in late spring 2010.

The engine lineup will include several units, plus a Euro 5-compliant 1.8-liter turbocharged direct-injection configuration developed by MMC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. In order to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the car will be fitted with automatic Stop & Go. "Together with a 6-speed manual transmission, this combination will provide high environmental efficiency," Mitsubishi said in a press release.

In Japan, the car will employ a 1.8-liter MIVEC petrol engine specifically optimized to return the perfect combination of reduced fuel consumption, minimum emissions and large power output. A lightweight body will contribute to all these aspects.

Just as announced by Mitsubishi in December, the crossover will be launched in several markets around the globe, including North America but specifications and release dates are yet to be disclosed. Since the Japanese and the European versions have already been presented, expect the North American edition to hit the stores later this year.

"It is aimed at expanding MMC's passenger car footprint in the region, following in the footsteps of the larger and recently redesigned Outlander mid-size crossover," Mitsubishi explained in a release.