The new Mitsubishi Lancer X will be unveiled at the Autosport International show in January as the flagship for the new range of C-segment cars.

Following the unveiling, Mitsubishi will announce its 2008 UK Motorsport programme, including confirmation of the works team to defend its manufacturer’s and driver’s titles from 2007 in next year’s British Rally Championship. Details of the Evolution Challenge, the company’s one-make rally championship for production specification Lancer Evolutions, will also be confirmed.

Managing Director, Jim Tyrrell, has hailed Mitsubishi’s New Lancer range as a “revolution” for the marque, with its sporty styling, keen pricing and motor sports “halo” provided by the eagerly awaited Lancer Evolution X.

Even though the new Lancer retains the same name as the previous model, this is where the similarities end. The vehicle is based on Mitsubishi’s ‘Project Global’ platform, as is the new Lancer Evolution X and the New Outlander, and it is said to be much stronger than the previous model.

Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi’s Sales and Marketing Director said, “The new Lancer Evolution X takes a huge leap forward in overall capability with significant gains in handling, dynamics, comfort and technology. At the same time, the driver still gets the kind of thrilling turbo engine performance that has made the model a legend around the world.”

Lancer X will be powered by a turbo-charged four-cylinder 2.0 engine with standard 290bhp but as in previous models it can be tuned to create FQ330 and FQ360 models, using an advanced dual action clutch for more rapid six-speed changes to the 4x4 powertrain on top models while the standard system is five-speed. Prices will range over three trim levels from £27,499 to £37,999.

Two petrol and one diesel engine are available for the new Lancer. The 1.5 litre petrol engine is a VVT MIVEC unit, with VVT on the intake valves and produces 110 PS. The unit takes the car from 0-62 in 11.6 seconds, 14.3 seconds with the auto, and fuel consumption is 44.14 mpg, 40.35 mpg for the auto, on the combined cycle.

The 1.8 litre petrol engine is a new DOHC VVT design with VVT on both the intake and exhaust valves. It benefits from 144PS and is available with either a 5-speed manual or a new 6-speed CVT automatic transmission.

The unit takes the car from 0-62 in 9.8 seconds, 11.2 seconds with the CVT auto, and returns 36.69 mpg, 35.76 mpg for the CVT auto, on the combined cycle.

Finally, a 140PS 2.0 DI-D 16-valve intercooled turbocharged diesel with a 6-speed manual transmission is also available. The power unit is sourced from VW, and has been further enhanced by Mitsubishi’s engineering team to reduce noise, vibration and harshness.

Taking the car from 0-62 in 9.6 seconds the fuel consumption is 44.83 mpg on the combined cycle.