Mitsubishi has confirmed it will stage the world debut of a facelifted Outlander at the 2015 New York motor show in April, before it goes on sale in Australia by June.
Expected to borrow design cues from the Outlander PHEV Concept S seen at last year's Paris motor show, the new model will reveal a revised exterior design in order to improve its visual appeal in the increasingly competitive medium SUV segment.
The 2016 Outlander will reveal Mitsubishi's new global brand identity, said executive vice president of Mitsubishi Motors North America, Don Swearingen, who was at the Chicago motor show to spruik the Concept GC-PHEV – a preview of the next-generation Pajero.
"All of our 2016 model year vehicles will be refreshed with our new brand identity, starting with the 2016 Outlander, which will make its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show in April," he said.
The facelifted 2016 Outlander was spied undergoing testing late last year, with heavy camouflage covering its front- and rear-ends but not the likelihood of an Concept S-inspired makeover.
Expect a sharper overall design, slimmer headlights, a more aggressive front fascia and new rear-end aesthetics.
The US market has become a beacon for Mitsubishi globally, with sales up by almost 25 per cent in 2014 over the previous year. With continued gains in January, the New York motor show was an obvious launch pad for the updated Outlander.
With Mitsubishi's US fortunes on the rise, Swearingen now appears to be a key player within Mitsubishi globally, having recently blown the lid on the recent bust-up between Mitsubishi and Renault and its potential for putting the kybosh on the company's next large sedan.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia confirmed to motoring.com.au that the updated Outlander will be launched here late in the second quarter of this year.