Mitsubishi surprised us with a teaser of a new seven-seater SUV concept, set to debut at the 2024 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) on October 24. While the company has yet to reveal the name of the concept, there’s a strong chance it could serve as a preview of a future production model. The Japanese carmaker released two teaser images showing partial views of the SUV’s front and rear quarter panels. Although the model’s name remains undisclosed, hidden text on the website refers to it as the “DST Concept.” A closer look at the photos reveals that the rear door shut line is rather close to the tailgate for a three-row seven-seater SUV offering. This leads us to believe the concept might be smaller than a potential successor to the discontinued Pajero.
One possibility is that the concept
previews a new generation of the Pajero Sport, expected to debut soon and
likely to share its platform with the Triton midsize pickup. However,
truck-based SUVs usually have a longer rear overhang than what we see in the
teaser images. A more plausible option could be a stretched version of the
Mitsubishi XForce compact SUV, with a redesigned bodywork and a three-row
seating layout. The LED headlights resemble those on the XForce, while the
grille takes inspiration from the Outlander.
Mitsubishi emphasizes that unveiling this
seven-seater SUV concept in the Philippines “underscores the brand’s dedication
to ASEAN drivers.” This suggests the production model will likely be limited to
the ASEAN market, similar to the XForce. As for powertrain options, no details
have been shared yet. If the concept is indeed based on the XForce, it will
probably feature the same 1.5-liter, non-electrified, four-cylinder engine
producing 103 hp, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive.
We’ll learn more about the new Mitsubishi
concept at PIMS from October 24-27.