Geneva 2008 Preview: Mitsubishi Lancer Prototype S Officially Unveiled

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Earlier this week photos of Mitsubishi’s Lancer Prototype S leaked onto the internet, but now we have the official press release for the concept.

The Prototype S is based on the Lancer sports sedan but with a new hatchback rear end. The car features a front-end that is very similar to the upcoming Lancer Ralliart with its inverted-slant nose with trapezoidal grille design. The Prototype S also features 19″ 5-spoke alloy wheels. Under the hood the concept uses the same 235HP 2.0L MIVEC intercooled and turbocharged engine as the Lancer Ralliart. The engine is mated to Mitsubishi’s new Twin Clutch (TC-SST) transmission. Full-time 4WD is standard.

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PRESS RELEASE:

Mitsubishi Motors lineup at 2008 Geneva International Motor Show

Tokyo, February 26, 2008 — 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.