Mitsubishi Mulls U.S. Minicar

Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. is mulling a grand entrance to the minicar market in the U.S., by offering an optional gas-electric hybrid powertrain and fulltime all-wheel drive in a future small car.

Unlike today's hybrids, the Mitsubishi would be designed to run on either the gasoline engine or the electric motor separately, as well as use both simultaneously.

Mitsubishi will unveil the concept CT MIEV, a 4-door, 4-passenger mini at the Detroit auto show in January.

Derived from a Mitsubishi Colt, now sold in Japan and potentially aimed at the U.S. market, the CT MIEV comes with a 1.1L, 3-cyl. gasoline engine and features electric motors at all four wheels.

In gas mode, the batteries would recharge as the car is driven. In electric-only mode the batteries would have to be recharged by plugging the car into an electrical outlet.

Mitsubishi Marketing Vice President Wayne Killen says the next-generation Colt could serve as Mitsubishi's mini entry in the U.S.

But whether the next Colt or a hybrid based on the MIEV is chosen, it won't arrive any time soon.

Any entry from Mitsubishi probably would not bow until after 2008.