The Mitsubishi Lancer is getting a makeover and showing off its new look for the first time at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

The design borrows very much from the Concept-X which debuted at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. The final product will ride on the same next-gen platform that the new Mitsubishi Outlander SUV uses. Though the concept version had a turbocharged engine, the powertrain in the production version will consist of a naturally-aspirated low emission 2.0-litre DOHC MIVEC engine that produces 152-horsepower, mated to a 6-speed Sporttronic continuously variable transmission. This is the first time a CVT transmission will be available in a Mitsubishi vehicle in North America. The company says that some trim levels will have steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

The newest Lancer has a larger body than the outgoing model, with an overall length of 4570 mm (35 mm longer), overall width of 1760 mm (65 mm wider), overall height of 1490 mm (60 mm taller) and wheelbase of 2635 mm (35 mm longer).