Mitsubishi ditches �??family face�??

Mitsubishi is ditching its �??family face�?? styling strategy, aiming to give next-generation models their own unique characters.

The rejection of the four-point trapezoidal grille, mirrored between the current Lancer (above) and ASX, and outgoing Outlander, comes as Mitsubishi admits the styling may have been too aggressive for some tastes.

�??What we try to do is maintain a certain level of the brand identity, but the styling should be [specific] to the vehicle,�?� claimed Mitsubishi senior executive of sales, Juyu Jeon.

�??A good example would be new Mirage and new Outlander. Do they have the same face?

�??It means we want to have certain brand identity with a broad face, a combination of trapazoidal [elements], those kind of carry over.� It doesn�??t mean it should be the same �??face�?? for the new Mirage and new Outlander.

�??We�??re not going to say it will be totally different. It used to be totally the same or similar, however the extent might be slightly changed.

�??Female customers might say that the [current] trapezoidal grille is too aggressive.�?�

Mitsubishi has deliberately �??softened�?? the exterior styling of the third-generation Outlander (above), and this will become a theme for next-generation models, like the new Lancer, due in 2014.

Mitsubishi product manager James Tol expects the Outlander�??s styling to be more �??universally appealing�?�.

He also claims that although the new Outlander will hint at the styling direction of future products, there are commonalities with existing Mitsubishis.

�??I see a lot of things on Outlander that I see on a lot of other Mitsubishi products. If you look at the bumper cut lines, you see a bit of the Pajero, you see a bit of the Challenger.

�??[But] it�??s moving towards softer [styling]. We�??re softening a bit.

�??I think you�??ll start to see more of what you see in the Outlander in future models.�?�


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