Mitsubishi's new Qashqai rival 03 | 01 | 2017

MITSUBISHI PLANS TO boost its Scottish market share in 2017 by introducing a new crossover rival to the successful Nissan Qashqai.

Scheduled to make its production debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the as yet un-named SUV — but based on the XR-PHEV concept car (pictured), first seen in 2013 and again, updated, at Geneva in 2015 — will be larger than the Mitsubishi ASX and sit below the Outlander.

The concept — which was 4490mm long, 1890mm wide and 1620mm high — moved the traditional Mitsubishi SUV design away from the previous boxy look, to one much more svelte and coupe-like.

The concept also incorporated a large central grille which is expected to become the face of all the Japanese company’s SUVs.

Powered by an unspecified plug-in hybrid powertrain that produced 160bhp and emitted 40g/km of CO2, the concept was two-wheel drive.

However, the production version is more likely to feature a new turbocharged petrol engine alongside the diesel engines currently found in the ASX range. Buyers will also get the choice of manual, CVT and eight-speed automatic gearboxes, plus all-wheel-drive versions will also be available.

Ironically, it’s likely the hybrid version won’t actually make it to production because of costs.

Related: New Mitsubishi opens in Scotland

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Jim McGill