Mitsubishi looks like its exploring all options of four-wheel drive Lancers. The new Lancer Sportback will also get a crossover version starting 2010, at least according to Japanese sources. The crossover will be sold worldwide and might look like the computer rendering pictured above.

Likely to be called Lancer Sportback X, it will feature a slightly raised suspension for better ground clearance and a protective body cladding combined with new alloy wheels and a different front grille. To back up the new off-road looks, the Sportback X will also get the full-time 4WD system shared with the Ralliart and EVO X versions of the Lancer. Under the hood may be the 109hp 1.5-liter or 143hp 1.8-liter engines from the normal Lancer Sportback, or if we're lucky, the Sportback X will get the 240hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine from the Lancer Ralliart.

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