Mitsubishi Concept cX

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands.

Mitsubishi Motors offered a deeper dive into its environmentally sensitive Concept cX compact SUV, as well as laying out a timetable for production of its new family of clean diesel engines.

The automaker said it "has taken the decision to bring forward to early 2009 the start of production of this family of engines to Europe, one full year earlier than scheduled.... Following the European introduction, these power plants will also be phased into other markets," Mitsubishi added, but did not spell out which markets will get them.

The Euro 5 clean diesel engines were co-developed by MMC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The Concept cX gets the new high-output 1.8-liter clean diesel engine, featuring a variable geometry (VG) turbocharger for optimum boost control and a diesel oxidation catalyst with diesel particulate filter in the exhaust system for compliance with Europe's Euro 5 emission standards.

Mitsubishi issued photos of the exterior and cabin of the Concept cX. In late July, it only revealed sketches of the vehicle. The concept has a "pure metallic medium blue" exterior said to evoke "the image of a crystal-clear lake." The wedge-shaped compact SUV gets a "Jet Fighter" grille from the new Lancer and uses a "derivative of Outlander's four-wheel-drive drivetrain."

Other details include a clamshell hood and deep-set headlamps. The cabin gets "thinly padded, organically shaped front backrests" and a supersize information center touchscreen designed to be accessible to all passengers.