Mitsubishi releases Prototype-S pictures
Mitsubishi Prototype-S - costing £20K from late 2008
Author: Chris Barker
Published: 26 February 2008
Didn't you know, sports saloons are so yesterday. And with Geneva nearly upon us, sports hatchbacks are now where its at. Motortorque gets with it.
Mitsubishi is preparing to gatecrash the Geneva Motor Show party with its late-showing Prototype-S hatchback.
Hot on the newly-hatchback'ed heels of arch-rival Subaru's re-inventing of the wheel with the introduction of the all new Impreza, fellow sports saloon bad-boys Mitsubishi will incur the wrath of the purists by adopting the same boot-less mentality.
An evolutionary conclusion to the Concept-Sportback first aired in Frankfurt in 2005, the Prototype-S (the 'S' represents Sportback apparently) is a tasty five door hatchback variant on the Lancer theme.
Aimed squarely at the European market, and armed with Mitsubishi's 240bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged weapon of choice, the Prototype-S employs permanent 4WD and a six-speed semi-automatic twin-clutch SST1 transmission.
With further notification to intent, an Active Centre Differential controls and distributes the torque output electronically, dependent on driving conditions.
0-60 won't include allow for scenery appreciation, as it takes sub-six seconds, developing a riotous 253lb-ft of torque en route. Speaking of which, the Prototype-S comes tooled up with Mitsubishi's Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) system, which allows the optimising of engine speed and effective performance throughout the rpm cycle.
And the Prototype-S really definitely has the 'wow' factor. From the trapezoidal 'jet fighter' grille - a take on Mitsubishi's corporate snout with a matt black, mesh-inserted finish and framed by chrome - to the bonnet that suggests the same vein of brisk business that its blood brother – the Lancer Evolution X – is applauded for.
What's more the Prototype-S headlamps aren't shared/pinched/influenced by what's left in Mitsubishi's spares department and the 19” five-spoke alloys, a colour-keyed roofline spoiler, the very fast lift gate and the stretched rear lamps afford the car a justifiably swaggering stance.
Set to be launched later in 2008, with a estimated price tag of £20,000, the Prototype-S will be pitched directly at Vauxhall VXR and Ford Focus ST buyers, and is considered by Mitsubishi to be the most important variant on the Lancer family in Europe, forecasting an 80% sales volume on these shores alone.
Mitsubishi has premiered the Lancer Sportback at the Paris Show alongside the new made-in- Europe Colt supermini and Racing Lancer turbodiesel competition car.
Mitsubishi has released a teaser image for a mysterious new car that will debut at the Paris Motor Show on 2 October.
New Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X range is on sale now, including variants with 300, 330 and 360PS power outputs costing between £27,499 and £37,999.
The new Mitsubishi Evo X offers incredible performance and handling, but high cost twinned with under-par quality take the sheen off Mitsubishi's 'affordable supercar'.
The new Mitsubishi Lancer range starts from £12,499 for the forthcoming hatch, while saloon models start at £14,999.
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