Over the last two years, Mitsubishi->ke58 has revealed as many concept vehicles (a hatchback, three crossovers and a pickup truck) as it has production models in its U.S. lineup, and it looks like we’ll be seeing two more concepts over the next two months. Less than a month after Mitsubishi brings back a “legend” at the Chicago Auto Show->ke225, the Japanese automaker will show off another new vehicle in Geneva.->ke228 However, judging by the pair of shadowy images, this new concept will obviously be an evolution of the 2013 XR-PHEV Concept crossover.

Mitsubishi is keeping most aspects of this Geneva-bound vehicle under wraps with the exception being that this concept is a “declaration of intent” for Mitsubishi’s “next-generation 2WD plug-in hybrid electric (“PHEV”) technology.” One crucial key about this announcement might be the fact that its naming remains a mystery, which could indicate that Mitsubishi is ready to give this vehicle a real name. It is widely expected that the XR-PHEV is a preview for the Outlander Sport.

The importance here, of course, is that this concept also spawned the 2014 Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo, which may have been a glimpse at what Mitsubishi has planned as a successor for the dearly departing Lancer Evolution->ke2426.

As a refresher, that wide-bodied concept was designed for the video game world, but it could have production implications as Mitsubishi was keen to point out that it was conceived in the same process and through the same design and engineering teams that the automaker would normally use to develop a real motorsports vehicle.

Fortunately, we don’t have to wait much longer to see Mitsubishi’s future as the vehicle will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show press days, which run from March 3 through 4, 2015.

Click past the jump to read more about Mitsubishi's new concept car.

Why it matters

Not only is the Mitsubishi XR-PHEV Concept expected to preview the next-generation Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, but it could also lead to the eventual successor to the Lancer Evolution, which is being killed off this year. Between the disappointing Mirage and the pending death of the Lancer Evolution, Mitsubishi hasn’t really had too much excitement to deliver to enthusiasts lately, but the promise of a new off-road SUV (being unveiled in Chicago) and a fuel-efficient crossover (in addition to the possibility of an all-wheel-drive performance crossover) could certainly help change the fortunes.