Mitsubishi Prototype S unveiled at Geneva

Mistubishi Protoype-S in Geneva / WCF

Covers come off 177kW Sportback

By Thami Masemola
March 4, 2008 10:14 PM
Filed Under: Japanese, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi finally pulled the covers off newest baby, the 2.0-litre Prototype-S, which for all intents and purposes we can call Lancer Sportback. Mistu has plans to semi-dominate Europe and other regions where hatchbacks are king. In fact the company proposes that 70 percent of all Lancer sold in Europe will be Prototype-S-based, or rather will be the Lancer Sportback. Will we see “lesser” models too such as the 114kW normally aspirated 2.0-litre for volume purposes? How about that turbo-diesel also?

Induced to go forth by the same 2.0-litre turbo of the great Lancer Evo X, Prototype-S is castrated to the tune of 177kW, which is not a bad place at all to be. Consider that Opel Astra OPC and Subaru WRX play around similar power turf.

The Prototype-S uses a twin-clutch gearbox system with full-time AWD for good traction and safer handling.

Source: Mitsubishi

Press Release (Click to expand)

Just as Concept-X (2005 Tokyo) and then Prototype-X (2007 Detroit) announced the new Lancer Sports Sedan and Lancer Evolution, Prototype-S will follow in the footsteps of the much-acclaimed Concept-Sportback show car (2005 Frankfurt) to preview the shape of the forthcoming Lancer Sportback.

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 70% of the forecasted Lancer volume in the region.
Sporting a very tonic metallic orange - similar to the one selected for Lancer Ralliart at the Detroit Auto Show a few weeks ago - Prototype-S will add the convenience of a liftgate and of flexible rear seating to the driving dynamics of the new Lancer range.
In that sense, it will hit the same emotional / non-mainstream buttons as Lancer Sports Sedan, albeit in a hatchback format, benchmarking the likes of Alfa Romeo with the 156 / 159 Sportwagons (dynamic benchmark) and of Saab with the legendary Saab 900 Turbo Combi-Coupé (aspirational benchmark).

Mirroring this aspiration, a sporty wedge-like profile, sharply chiselled lines, assertive stance born from long wheelbase / wide track proportions, a high-shouldered rear end or the very expressive rear roof spoiler will embody Mitsubishi’s vision for a flexible sports sedan in the C/D sector, away from the traditional hatchbacks.
Fittingly, Prototype-S will blend elements from Concept-Sportback (overall concept), Lancer Evolution (execution) and Lancer Ralliart (240 ps / 343 Nm 2.0 l turbo engine, Twin Clutch SST gearbox, full-time 4WD drivetrain featuring Mitsubishi Motors’ Active Center Differentia), as well as proposing a further evolution of Mitsubishi Motors’ Jet Fighter grille.