Days after images of the next-gen edition without disguise hit the internet, Mitsubishi sends out a shadowy sneak preview that reveals little.

INTENT by Mitsubishi to maintain an air of mystery with the next Outlander that is expected to come on sale here in 2021 seems set to proceed, regardless that unexpurgated images of the model have already hit the web.

Today distributors, included Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand, sent out an official shadowy image, that of course discloses little detail, as part of a build-up to the car’s full official unveiling, timed for February.

There’s just one catch to keeping the suspense up – the cover asppears to have been completely blown.

Images of a car without any camouflage have been racing around the internet for most of this week.

Those pictures, seen here, purport to show a car in a public area and were posted first on Instagram account @allcarnews, then subsequently picked up by other websites, including Australia’s CarAdvice.

 The account claims the car was snapped while sitting in an open car park.

The new Outlander looks to share the bulk of its design with the Engelberg Tourer, a concept that was revealed at the 2019 Geneva motor show.

The ‘caught-out’ car carries the brand's current design language, showcasing slim headlights and pointed front facia.

It's expected the vehicle will share its underpinnings with the upcoming Nissan X-Trail, a result of platform-sharing within the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Alliance. Some sites suggest an uncanny resemblance to the Nissan at the D-pillar.

According to a report from a US website, CarBuzz, the new Outlander will be powered by the X-Trail's 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine, producing 135kW and 245Nm in its American tuning.

There will also be a replacement for the Outlander PHEV, but that comes later. The present model uses a 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder mated to two electric motors mounted on each axle, with 60kW at the front and 70kW at the rear, and powered by a 13.8kWh battery pack.