First look: Lancer turns mean and lean

WE SAW the teaser sketch back in July: now Mitsubishi has revealed an image of the concept that heralds one of its most important new models.

To be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show on September 13, the Concept-Sportback is the first in-the-metal indication of what the embattled Japanese manufacturer’s next-generation Lancer small car will look like.

According to Mitsubishi, the concept "gives the first indications of the company’s vision for its next generation of C-segment cars and debuts its design inspiration for a new European five-door sports hatchback".

While it's unclear how much of the concept's edgy new look will transfer to Australia's redesigned Lancer when it arrives here in around two years' time, it's understood the range-topping Lancer Evolution derivative will closely resemble the Sportback concept's general design.

Styled after the departure of controversial French designer Olivier Boulay, Sportback is a radical departure from the current Lancer - which is available here in sedan guise only and will be released in MY2006 guise with an upgraded MIVEC-equipped 2.4-litre engine in September.

The five-door hatch concept features a distinctive wedge-shaped profile, sharply-chiselled lines, stylised headlights and a wheel-at-each-corner stance thanks to a long wheelbase and wide wheel tracks.

Mitsubishi’s next-generation Lancer will be based on a new platform to be shared with a small Dodge (Caliber) and two Jeep 4WDs.