Japanese used car

Citroen, Peugeot and Mitsubishi are all to launch a new Land Rover Freelander-sized off-roader in the UK in 2007.

Although no official confirmation has been given by any of the three manufacturers, the new 4x4 will be the GS45X car developed by Mitsubishi and unveiled today.

Production-ready versions will make their debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2005 before going on sale in Japan in 2006. The cars will then arrive in the UK in the first half of 2007.

An off-roader has been an obvious gap in the Peugeot and Citroen ranges for some time. With Continental markets now clamouring for 4x4s as much as the UK, the French marques must be keen to get in on the act as quickly as possible.

While Mitsubishi already offers a compact off-roader, the Outlander, its appeal is limited by a lack of a diesel engine. Although it has not been confirmed, taking diesel engines from Peugeot and Citroen would be the most obvious way for the cooperation agreement to benefit Mitsubishi.

More information will be announced on Friday, February 4, after Jean-Martin Folz, chief executive officer of PSA Peugeot-Citroen, signs the final agreement in Japan.

Prices are a long way from being set, but expect to pay from around £16,000.

The second-generation Land Rover Freelander goes on sale in 2006. Renault and Volkswagen are also rumoured to be working on new off-roaders of the same size, but both are keeping details secret. Other potential rivals include the Subaru Forester, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4.