Mitsubishi has revealed it will launch its Lancer Sportback and Lancer Sportback Ralliart hot hatch at the Paris Motor Show in October.

The Japanese carmaker has also confirmed the Lancer Sportback will then go on sale in various countries in the region – including the UK – putting it head-to-head with the new Subaru Impreza, Ford Focus ST and Mazda 3 MPS.

The front of the Lancer Sportback may look familiar but the rear is completely new and marks a step-change in the Lancer’s design.

It’s the first car bearing the famous badge to shun the saloon body-style in favour of a more European hatchback silhouette.

In standard guise it will be available with a choice of 1.5-litre or 1.8-litre petrol engines with 108bhp and 141bhp respectively.

A 2-litre turbocharged diesel engine sourced from Volkswagen will also be included in the range and it boasts 140bhp and 50mpg fuel economy.

Performance addicts will be more interested in the Lancer Sportback Ralliart model which gets the 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the Lancer Evolution X – albeit with its output toned down to 237bhp and 256lb/ft of pulling power.

No official figures have been released, but it should easily sprint from 0-60mph in six seconds and have a top speed around 150mph, placing it in competition with the Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Subaru Impreza WRX.

It will feature a more high-tech gearbox than the Impreza – called Twin Clutch SST - it works in a similar way to Volkswagen’s DSG and allows the driver to change gear effortlessly using steering wheel mounted paddles.

Expect to pay around £20k for the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback when it reaches our shores at the start of next year.