Back at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, Mitsubishi showed a Lancer-based crossover SUV that was smaller than the production Outlander. It was called the cX. This is the production version of Mitsu's compact crossover.

It still doesn't have a real study but sources close to the project say it will go on understanding in Nihon soon. It's also a go for the European market later in 2010, and the production version will be at the Geneva Auto Show next spring. And the U.S.? We hear we're still a maybe.

The more extravagant show-car aspects of the original cX have been relaxed in favor of a more conventional package with strong Lancer overtones — the corporate grille is impossible to miss. The size of this image appears to place the cX in the crosshairs of the Nissan Rogue.

The concept cX had a 1.8-liter turbodiesel four, rated at 134 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 207 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm, which we imagine the European production version will get. For Japan (and maybe the U.S.), though, either the global 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter gasoline inline-4 is more likely. The optional all-wheel-drive system should be similar to the Outlander's. 

It still needs a proper name, though.

Another photo after the jump.