Mitsubishi’s compact Outlander Sport will go the same route as its larger Outlander brethren and head to Europe as rebadged Citroens and Peugeots in early 2012.
The move mirrors the original collaboration agreement between Mitsubishi and Peugeot-Citroen on the Outlander SUV from a few years ago. Known as the Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007, these badge-engineered Outlanders feature slightly modified bodywork and rather distinct Citroen and Peugeot front grilles. With the Outlander Sport, or ASX as it will be called on European soil, we can expect much of the same, although the currently unnamed Citroen and Peugeot variations will be equipped with its own corporate 1.6-liter diesel engine. The Euro-spec Outlander Sport will come with the choice of a 1.6-liter gasoline engine or an all-new 1.8-liter diesel of its own; U.S. models will, of course, get a gas-powered, 2.0-liter inline-four.
For both companies, the cooperation was a natural step. Citroen-Peugeot eyes opportunity within a market segment that is expected to expand globally by almost 60 percent by 2015. For Mitsubishi, presenting the French automaker group with the keys to its newest compact ‘ute helps to bolster volume and production. Peugeot-Citroen is projecting a combined sales of 50,000 vehicles per year when both models are released.
The Outlander Sport, or RVR as it is known in its home market, has already been released in Japan. Its U.S. arrival date is pegged at Fall 2010 while European models are expected sometime in the middle of this year.
In addition to the Outlander and Outlander Sport, Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV city car is being rebadged as the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iOn for the European market, starting later this year.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
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