Ahead of its official global unveiling on 4th March at the Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi Motors now reveals further images of the Prototype-S – born from the same gene pool as the original 2005 Concept-Sportback.
Jet Fighter Aggression
The prototype remains close to its original inspiration, and closely previews the forthcoming Lancer Sportback.
At the front, it uses a variation of Lancer’s trademark “Jet Fighter” grille featuring a full matt black finish, mesh inserts and chrome surround. Other distinguishing features include a Lancer Evolution X style bonnet, Prototype-S specific headlamps and 19” five-spoke alloy wheels.
At the rear, Prototype-S follows the same design theme explored with Concept-Sportback with a very fast lift gate finished by Sportback’s trademark colour-keyed roof spoiler. Its elongated rear combination lamps widen the stance of the car as they wrap around the rear wings.
Interior Flair
Inside, Prototype-S displays a very continental flair with its twin-hood meters, the black suede finish of the upper dashboard & door panels and the light brown-coloured leather selected for its upholstery, in a mix of plain, perforated and weaved finish.
When launched later in the year, this 5-door hatchback variant of the new Lancer family will be the most important of all in Europe, representing 80% of the forecasted Lancer volume in the UK.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is to give the Prototype-S sport hatchback concept its global debut at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show which runs from March 4 through March 16 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex (opening to the general public on March 6). Also included in Mitsubishi Motors’ 16-model stand (13 on Press Days) are: the i MiEV (dubbed the i-EV in Europe) and the Lancer Evolution (Lancer Evolution X on the Japanese market). The i MiEV is a new-generation electric vehicle under evaluation for export to international markets and currently undergoing fleet monitoring in Japan; Lancer Evolution is a new-generation high-performance 4WD sedan that allows all drivers to experience enjoy the highest levels of fun-to-drive performance safely and with confidence.
Making its global debut at the Geneva Show, the Prototype-S is derived from the Lancer sports sedan (Galant Fortis on the Japanese market) currently on sale in most Mitsubishi Motors markets worldwide.
Distinguished by the inverted-slant nose with trapezoidal grille front fascia that comprise the Mitsubishi Motors new design identity, and with purposeful, wide-and-low proportions; Prototype-S uses exterior lines to craft a shape that is powerful and sporty. The use of 215/45R19 tires on 19-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels adds to the tautly muscular and road-hugging image the styling projects.
Prototype-S uses a new 2.0-liter MIVEC*1 4-cylinder DOHC intercooled / turbocharged engine, developing maxima of 240 PS and 35 kg-m that will also power the Lancer Ralliart due to go on sale in North America in the summer of 2008. The power unit is mated to Mitsubishi Motors’s high-efficiency Twin Clutch SST*2 automated manual transmission that gives the driver simple control of and feel-good access to the car’s exhilaratingly sporty performance. The full-time 4WD driveline features Mitsubishi Motors’ Active Center Differential (ACD) that uses an electronically controlled multi-plate hydraulic clutch to optimally tailor front / rear drive torque vectoring to different driving conditions and deliver the best balance between steering response and traction.
*1 MIVEC : Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system
*2 SST : Sport Shift Transmission
Prototype-S specification
Length (mm) 4,585
Width (mm) 1,760
Height (mm) 1,480
Wheelbase (mm) 2,635
F/R track (mm) 1,530/1,530
Occupants 5
Engine 2L MIVEC 4-cylinder DOHC with intercooler/turbocharger
Max. output 177 kW (240ps)
Max. toque 343 Nm (35kgm)
Driveline Full-time 4WD (with ACD)
Transmission Twin Clutch SST
Tires 215/45R19
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