Mitsubishi to unveil plug-in hybrid

Mitsubishi Motors will launch a plug-in hybrid crossover at this year's Tokyo auto show in a vehicle slightly smaller than an Outlander and which is said to rival Nissan's Qashqai. The image above is of a crossover-style concept shown in 2007 and may give some clues as to the styling. The hybrid development is part of Mitsubishi's plan to move its focus from large-engined SUVs to smaller, more efficient powerplants - Gayu Uesugi, head of product development.

Mitsubishi will debut a new 1.8-litre diesel engine later this year as part of this strategy. The engine, co-develped with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - the first time the two companies have cooperated on engine development - was part of the now-abandoned Dakar motorsport program. Mitsubishi has moved its motorsport engineers to new roles helping develop its electric vehicle program.

The company also says that its future product strategy will be much more global rather than developing different vehicles for Japan, Europe and North America as it has done in the past.