2010 Mitsubishi Challenger Launch Brought Forward To November

IT WAS ONLY last month that Mitsubishi's next-gen Challenger was reportedly delayed until early 2010, but now Mitsubishi Motors Australia (MMAL) has confirmed the new off-roader will arrive in November this year.

According to MMAL spokesperson Lenore Fletcher, company President and CEO Rob McEniry put in a special request with Mitsubishi head office in Japan for Challenger deliveries to be brought forward, arguing that now is the right time to be selling the model.

"We had originally laid down that it would be launched early next year," Ms Fletcher told TMR.

"We have basically decided that segment of the medium four-wheel-drive market is actually doing quite well at the moment.

"That section of the market is in a growth period, and we also want to take advantage of the current tax incentives that the Government are offering until the end of the year."

The 2010 Mitsubishi Challenger will launch in early November, and will sit below the Pajero in Mitsubishi's local line-up.

Technical details have yet to be revealed, but current speculation places the just-announced 2.5 litre turbodiesel from the 2010 Triton in the Challenger's engine bay.

Official specifications and pricing will be released closer to the Challenger's launch.