Mitsubishi Teases Futuristic Crossover Concept With Odd Name

Mitsubishi is too busy turning the brand around to bother trickling out newsworthy content to the media. Much of what you read in the press relates to how the brand is doing as the newest addition to the Renault-Nissan Alliance, hot takes regarding its marketing decisions, and the occasional update from auto executives on future products. For the most part, the latter issue can be paraphrased into “more utility models as soon as we can get them to you,” though the company does have limited aspirations for a new sedan and pickup.

However, crossovers come first at Mitsubishi. On Tuesday, the brand put out the initial teaser for its Engelberg Tourer Concept — an ultra-modern CUV with off-road ambitions headed for a debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

While named after a picturesque alpine village and popular skiing destination in central Switzerland, that’s not the first thing that springs to mind. Engelberg would be a great surname for a Gregory or Eugene but not something we’d ever pick for an automobile.

While some light research reveals the region to be site of sporadic rallying, it’s not a location most racing fans would associate with motorsport. It’s truly an odd naming choice and rolls off the tongue like balled-up toilet paper. It feels like a moniker from the the turn of the century — and we don’t mean the last one. An “Engelberg Tourer” sounds like a vehicle that came with running boards and a throttle lever instead of a gas pedal.

That’s double damnation, considering the car looks to be about as futuristic as modern concepts get. The headlamps are exceptionally slim, framed by blue LED elements that help outline what looks to be a rather large grille. It’s a familiar look, as Mitsubishi incorporates the hourglass shape into the front fascia of many of its production models (and has introduced several concept vehicles playing host this more-aggressive version). Yet we can’t help but feel we’ve seen this exact face before on trade show cars like the GT-PHEV and eX (pictured above and below, respectively).

Still, we’ll reserve final judgement until the car emerges from the shadows. All we have now are the broad strokes. The Mordecai Engelberg Tourer might look totally different in the light.

According to Mitsubishi, the concept places “a focus on next-generation technology and enhanced EV performance” but that light bar on the roof screams “drive it through some mud.” How capable this car is off-road won’t matter until we find out if this concept is realistic enough to foreshadow a production model.

We’ll know on March 5th, when the Engelberg Tourer debuts at the Geneva International Motor Show.

[Images: Mitsubishi]