Mitsubishi Confirms Plans for New Small Car

Although we're now living in a slightly more stable economic environment, automakers across the globe continue their efforts to focus on small cars and more fuel efficient models. Mitsubishi for instance confirmed at the 2010 New York International Auto Show that a new small car project is currently considered, with a potential launch date in 2012.

Citing Mitsubishi Motors North American CEO Shinichi Kurihara who talked at the NYIAS, Autoweek.com reported that Mitsubishi's future model will be smaller than the European B-segment vehicles and will employ a small 1.2- or 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine. The rest of details are still kept secret, but more information will probably emerge soon, as a prototype is likely to be displayed at the upcoming auto shows.

At this time, the smallest model in Mitsubishi's lineup is the Colt, which uses several small engines, including a 1.1-liter unit developing 75 horsepower 100 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Obviously, performance figures aren't impressive at all, with the 0 to 100 km/h sprint done in 13.3 seconds.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi launches the ASX crossover across Europe, after the public launch at the Geneva show in March.

The car uses a 1.8-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine designed by MMC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The five-seater is 4.3-meter long and went on sale in Japan in February as RVR. It is locally marketed with a 1.8-liter engine that develops 139 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed CVT. There are two versions available, front- and all-wheel drive.