Long wait for new Mitsubishi models

Mitsubishi tweaks current models but the next generation of passenger cars are still more than 12 months from showrooms
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Mitsubishi dealers will need to survive on a diet of value-added Lancers, softroaders and light commercials over the next 14-24 months.

That's the underlying dynamic from the marque's MY12 model launch in Canberra yesterday. Indeed, while the company's executives were not unhappy to talk about the extended period to the arrival of the new generation passenger cars, they were at pains to drum home the message that the existing line-up would champion value in 2012 and beyond.

The facts are Mitsubishi is caught in a new product hole. Its 'New Global Small car' is still at least 12 months from onsale Down Under. A replacement for the Outlander will follow but not until into the first half of 2013 and Lancer will likely need to soldier on in essentially the same form as it is sold currently until at least mid-2013.

In the face of strong renewal in both Light and Small car segments from the existing key players and a growing number of European brands, and the re-entry of Nissan into the mainstream Aussie small car marketplace, it's not great news for the three diamond marque.

The New Global Small (NGS) is yet to be given an official model name. Whatever its label, it is the replacement for the Colt and therefore sits firmly in Australia's Light Car category. This is an important car for the company given Mitsubishi currently struggles to win a one per cent share with Colt in what is one of Australia's strongest market segments.

In addition to a three-cylinder petrol variant, NGS (pictured) will be offered in electric and plug-in hybrid versions. In this sense it will also replace i-MiEV in developed markets like Australia.

We will see glimpses of the new car in advanced concept form at the Tokyo Motor Show in late November. A production-ready car will then likely debut at the Bangkok Motor Show in March 2012. Mitsubishi will build Australian-market petrol versions of the car in Thailand.

Insiders blame the Global Financial Crisis for the late arrival of NGS. They're not so forthcoming on the genesis or timeline of the Lancer replacement, however, it's likely that it too is the victim of a development freeze during the financial meltdown. The good news is we can expect a concept will make an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

In Lancer's MY2012 update, Mitsubishi has sought to improve the economy and refinement of the existing car. The cabin has also come in for a minor makeover with upgraded plastics and soft-touch components. In both hatch and sedan versions at most grades a reversing camera has been added along with Bluetooth and steering-wheel mounted controls for audio and phone. Even at base grade the features are available in a well-priced convenience pack.

Mechanical changes for MY12 include the adoption of electric power steering for a reduction in fuel consumption. Mitsubishi claims CVT-equipped Lancers now record a combined consumption number of 7.2L/100km -- a reduction of 1.0L/100km. Manual models are 0.8L/100km more economical at 6.8L/100km.

At this stage, however, it's not clear whether the carmaker will go so far as introduce more updates or, indeed, completely new drivetrains into the existing generation before the mid-2013 renewal. Our guess is not.

Meantime, Outlander's replacement has been previewed via the PX-MiEV displayed at this year's Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne in July.

With both Outlander and its subcompact ASX counterpart underpinning much of Mitsubishi's modest sales success so far in 2011, the company will be keen to maintain momentum. The MY12 Outlander has therefore also benefited from similar updates to its Lancer stablemate -- look for a detailed rundown of the updates Mitsubishi has made across in MY12 softroaders at motoring.com.au soon.

If the softroaders' sales performance is important to Mitsubishi in 2012, strong sales from Triton are vital. In the face of significant change in the Pickup/Cab-chassis one-tone marketplace, Mitsubishi is confident Triton's unique styling and packaging will hold it in good stead against larger, newer entrants.

Again, for Mitsubishi's sake let's hope the sentiments are correct. Mitsubishi Australia personnel were due to travel to Japan this week to participate in quite broad discussions about the replacement for the current model which indicates development is in its very early stage. At best estimates that places the new commercial's arrival well into 2014 at the earliest.

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