Reading the title of this post, one can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu. For years Mitsubishi has been introducing PHEV concept cars (plug-in hybrid electric) at all the major motor shows, but they are yet to spawn a production model. This is what they are bringing to this year’s Geneva Motor Show, and it’s a PHEV crossover again.

The Geneva-bound Mitsubishi PHEV Concept, in the company’s own word, is “a powerful embodiment of its next generation 2WD plug-in hybrid electric (“PHEV”) technology as well as its bold design renaissance.” Strong words, but it’s the same bloody thing we’ve been seeing for years. And it’s a crossover again. Why is it always a crossover?

What Mitsu should be doing is introduce a concept with four doors, four-wheel-drive, a powerful engine, and a somewhat fancy yet understated design. They can call it, oh, I don’t know, Lancer – maybe Evo. And they can launch it as a rival for the new Subaru WRX. That’d be awesome.

Unfortunately though, Mitsubishi has no apparent intention to revive the Lancer. They are adamant the crossover segment is the way forward, which is fair enough, considering the firm’s background in making 4x4s. If only they had the stones to actually make one of these concepts…