Mitsubishi teases sub-ASX baby SUV ahead of Geneva

The fiercely competitive compact SUV segment will soon have a fresh combatant when Mitsubishi's new compact SUV debuts at the Geneva motor show in March.

The Japanese manufacturer has issued a dimly lit image to highlight some styling cues seen on concept and production vehicles ahead of its Geneva debut.

A brief statement from Mitsubishi released along with the image confirms  the new vehicle will slot into the company's existing SUV range rather than being a replacement for the very successful ASX.

"The new compact SUV will be added to MMC’s (Mitsubishi Motors Corporation) crossover SUV line-up which currently comprises the ASX compact SUV, and the Outlander and Outlander PHEV mid-size SUVs," it said.

It is highly probable the car unveiled in Switzerland will be based on the eX-Concept that first broke cover at the same show almost two years ago, rather than being related to the seemingly endless line of XR-PHEV concepts that began at the Tokyo show in 2013.

Mitsubishi's teaser image identifies some key design points, such as steeply rearward-raked side windows, and gives an illuminating profile view of the front and rear lights.

In line with Mitsubishi's stated aim to focus its energies on SUV development, it describes the car as, "a sharp and active looking coupe SUV that represents MMC’s vehicles."

The "heavily flared" front and rear wheel arches create the “powerful image of a stocky track athlete", according to the carmaker.

The concept is likely to be equipped with Mitsubishi's brand defining plug-in hybrid powertrain, and if based on the eX-Concept, expect it to be smaller than the ASX, the former measuring 4240mm long, 1780mm wide, and 1575mm high.

While yet to be confirmed, the company's 'dynamic shield' front end will almost certainly extend the tradition established by the Outlander, Pajero Sport and later model ASX.

You could be forgiven for thinking you have seen this all before, as this image follows on from a similar version released this time last year.

However, while that picture is remarkably similar to this latest teaser, it was later established to be the XR-PHEV, seen by many as a replacement for the ASX.

Additional technical information and images of Mitsubishi's baby SUV are likely to emerge ahead of the new model's launch in Geneva which opens for media on March 7.

Would you buy a sub-ASX Mitsubishi SUV? Tell us in the comments below.