Mitsubishi's Concept-CT further extends Mitsu's MIEV (that's Mitsubishi In-wheel Electric Vehicle) methodology by one, stylized minicar. Sporting the company's recently developed system of electric motors, the CT is a hybrid that also gets power from a 1.0 liter three-cylinder gasoline engine. A Mitsubishi official recently hinted (as such officials sometimes do) that the CT could become a new small car, possible the next-generation Colt. The MIEV systems, however, are likely further off.

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No Starion From Mitsubishi: Eclipse Spyder, Concept-CT Instead [internal]

No doubt, Bumbeck's weeping in his cranberry juice right now, as his pleas to Mitsubishi to bring back the beloved Mitsu variant of the StarQuest twins have fallen on deaf ears. However, they did introduce what they refer to as an "attainable exotic" in the form of the Eclipse Spyder. Because the Solstice is obviously an unattainable exotic.

Also unveiled was the Concept-CT, which "introduces an innovative hybrid powertrain packaged in an entirely new type of vehicle architecture. " Really? Holy crap man, this innovation's just gotta stop! A four-door small car with a hatchback and a hybrid powertrain? Entirely new! It's like a Prius and an Insight all rolled into one, with a Diamond Star logo!

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New Mitsubishi Concept May Hearken Hybrid Compact for US Market [Internal]

AutoWeek is reporting Mitsubishi may sell a hybrid-drive car in the US that's smaller than its Lancer, and it may look a lot like the Concept-CT MIEV it plans to unveil in Detroit. According to the company, the CT prototype is an all-wheel-drive four-door, powered by a 1.1-liter gas engine and its MIEV-style electric system (i.e., a motor installed in each wheel) affixed for good measure. A Mitsubishi official also called the prototype "highly finished, and "not just a styling exercise." It's speculated the company could offer the car as gas-only model, to competing amid the range of new, small cars destined for the US, like the Nissan Versa, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris.

Mitsubishi's Detroit show hybrid concept could be the real deal [AutoWeek]

Related:
Mitsubishi to Unveil 2007 Eclipse Spyder, New MIEV Concept in Detroit [internal]