Every year all automakers are trying to refresh the air in their garage, so the perfect way to launch their products are the auto show and if it’s one of the best in the world it’s even better. This year at Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi unveiled its Prototype-S. This model is powered by a 2.0-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine which produces 240 HP and 252 lf-ft of torque. This concept is scheduled to enter in production phase as of next year. If you think they might be rushing with this decision, you should read the full press release and check out the gallery below with live photos.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Prototype S

PRESS RELEASE

MITSUBISHI PROTOTYPE-S

- The Color Orange -

What’s in a color ?…

In the case of “orange”, adjectives such as lively, warm, enthusiastic, creative, energetic, successful, stimulating but also polarizing come to mind, all things that do very much apply to Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in 2008…
Right-brained and different, MMC embodies these traits through an all-new range of cars, each of them supported by an iconic figure on a mission:

- Lancer Evolution: Sporting spirit
- “i”: Green (orange ?…) vision
- Pajero: 4-Wheel Drive expertise

Perhaps the most potent symbol of this positive corporate & brand mindset, “Project Global” has already proved its worth through the success of Lancer Sports Sedan, New Outlander and Delica D:5, the first products based on this all-new global architecture.

Europe

Launched in certain selected markets late last year and very well received, the stylish all-new Lancer Sports Sedan already started to bring its own contribution to Mitsubishi Motors commercial perfor-mance in Europe with 6,576 sales (to end of December 2007).

First member of the new Lancer family, it will be followed in the market by a full set of siblings, including Lancer Evolution, Lancer Ralliart and the sleek Lancer Sportback, together with its sportier Lancer Sportback Ralliart derivative.

When launched later in the year, this 5-door hatchback will be the most important variant of all in Europe, representing 70% of the forecasted Lancer volume in the region.

Right Brain

Prior to this most important introduction, Prototype-S previews the shape of things to come…

Just as Prototype-X (2007 Detroit) was a near real-life expression of Concept-X (2005 Tokyo) announ-cing the new Lancer Sports Sedan and Lancer Evolution, Prototype–S follows up today the much-acclaimed Concept-Sportback show car (2005 Frankfurt), signalling the future arrival of the Mitsubishi C/D segment hatchback.

Building on the same assets of racing heritage, sharp design, rewarding driving dynamics and “right-brain” take at the market, Prototype-S hits 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).

Tonic

Sporting a very tonic metallic orange, the 458,5 cm Prototype-S adds the convenience of a liftgate and of flexible rear seating to the driving dynamics of the new Lancer range.

Essentially a productionized version of the original Concept-Sportback, Prototype-S remains close to its inspiration.

At the front, it uses a further variation of Lancer’s trademark “Jet Fighter” grille featuring a full matt black finish, mesh inserts and chrome surround. It its flanked either sides with additional air intakes incor-porating boomerang-shaped fog lights. Further distinguishing features include a Lancer Evolution-type hood, specific headlamps and 19″ five-spoke alloy wheels.

At the rear, Prototype-S follows the same design theme explored in 2005 with Concept-Sportback with a very fast lift-gate surmounted by Sportback’s characteristic color-keyed roof spoiler. Elongated rear combination lamps widen the stance of the car as they warp around the rear fenders. A feature on their own, they sign a neat bumper/fender shut line that runs exactly parallel to the rear door opening.

Inside, Prototype-S displays a very continental flair with its italianate twin-hood meters, the black suede finish of the upper dashboard & door panels or the light brown-colored leather selected for its upholstery, in plain, perforated or weaved finish according to the area covered.

Of course, the meters are orange lit…

Fast Lane

Mirroring its aspirations, 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 or “ACD”).

Mitsubishi was kind enough to show the world of auto-fans new high-resolution images of 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT and Eclipse Spyder. The design of these two models were inspired from the Lancer Evolution, the new front end from which “pops out” a blacked grille and the blacked rear apron are just two of the new features.

The interior isn’t so different from the previous generation because they concentrated to upgrade the engine’s power and they made an improvement of 2 HP and 2 lb-ft torque for the V6 taking it to a total of 265 HP and 262 lb-ft.

Although the “facelifted” 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT looks good, I think it can’t compete against the Lancer Raillart.

 We are expecting Mitsubishi to unveil a Sportback version of the Lancer at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, next month. The new sketches look alike the old ones, but are modified a little and might be the release version. The new Sportback will probably be powered by a 2.4-liter engine, while the Evo version will use the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with all-wheel-drive system. We shall see when we get to the Geneva Motor Show, in March and we’ll definitely let you know.

At Detroit, Mitsubishi unveiled the new Lancer Raillart. The Lancer Raillart is propelled by a 2.0-liter 4B11 turbocharged engine which produces 235 HP. It features a Twin Clutch SST transmission, 4WD driveline and ACD (Active Center Differential). The design is sporty and very agressive, some of the improvements are the new front and rear bumpers and the hood. We think that this version is better than the previous two. Take a look at his car and let us know what you think.

Rumors say that the Mitsubishi Concept-RA could become the new Eclipse, though many are expecting the rumors to become true, nothing’s sure. Fortunately, there are enough reasons for us to expect Mitsubishi release an Eclipse, especially to compete with Nissan.

With it’s current design, Mitsubishi would get a lot of fans and potential buyers, so they should definitely think seriously about releasing it. Europeans should be happy because we expect the new Eclipse it’s headed to them.

Mitsubishi is preparing to unveil a new concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January, the Concept-RA. It will be powered by a high performance diesel engine and from the photos it seems to have a great futuristic design.

It features a 2.2 liter 4 cylinder DOHC 16 valve turbodiesel engine with MIVEC that produces 203hp and a torque of 320Nm, using piezoelectric injector common-rail direct fuel injection and Variable Diffuser ( VD ) / Variable Geometry ( VG ).

The Concept-RA will have a lot of features that improve driving sensations, like the S-AWC ( Super All Wheel Control ) vehicle dynamics control system driveline and a Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission. The S-AWC technology managed a lot of systems to increase the control over drive torque and braking, along with upgraded traction, stability and cornering. Some of the systems used are Active Steering, Active Damping, AYC, Sport ABS, ACD and ASC.

The tenth generation of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has incredible performance, with the Volkswagen DSG style twin clutch gearbox and it’s the same Concept X Mitsubishi has showed us a few months ago. It borrows a bit from the European markets, like the Alfa Romeo like tail lights and the Audi style grille.

It doesn’t have an immense power, with 280hp, but for a 2.0 liter MIVEC engine it’s quite enough. Also, it sports 422Nm of torque at 3,500RPM, accelerating from 0 to 60mph in just 4.9 seconds.

The SST gearbox helps the driver change gear extremely fast and also sports three shift modes, being especially designed for sportive driving. You can change gears using the paddles on the steering wheel, the automatic gearbox or, optionally the buyer can choose a five-speed manual gearbox.

Being 100kg weight-less than it’s predecessor, it still has perfect handling and great agility and grip, due to the four wheel driving system. A lot of system help the car stay on the road and have excellent breaks, as the ASC ( Active Stability Control ), AYC ( Active Yaw Control ) and the ACD ( Active Centre Differential ).

The interior doesn’t seem to be of high quality materials, but still looks good and stylish, along with having more space for the occupants.

This car combines quality with comfort, sportiveness and style, which makes it a great one.

Evo is one of Mitsubishi’s greatest cars, who has reached version 9, this year. The 2.0 liter turbo with variable intake valve timing engine powers the car with 286 hp and 289 lb ft torque. The car is a great example of the latest technologies and has a low volume, but powerful engine. Some tests show that it even defeated Lamborghini’s jewelery, the Murcielago.

The exterior is only a bit modified from the Evo VIII, with a new front air dam and smoked lenses on head and tail lamps. It has the same size Eneki wheels as Evo 8.

The Evo IX will be sold in three versions and it is the latest version of Mitsubishi Evolution series, but the Evolution X is expected in 2007, the Concept X already been presented.

Evo IX will be sold in the following versions: standard, lighweight Rs and top of the line MR.

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The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder convertible will be available since the next year’s spring. First, it will be presented at the 2007 Detroit auto show and will be a powerfull, modern car. It keeps the front aspect of the stylish Mitsubishi cars, like Lancer Evolution or Galand Ralliant and the rear is a new design style. It may sell well enough, as it is a great car and Mitsubishi is always making confortable, modern cars that are worth every penny they cost.

Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart has a 3.8 liter V6 engine, from the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse and will have about 300 hp under the hood. It is a great sedan car and will compete with Nissan Altima SE-R and Mazda speed 6. The car will come with an upgrade in brakes, aerodynamics, seats and wheels and a very hot engine. Unfortunately the car es ecplised by the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, which is a really beloved car. Galant Ralliart is a sedan, not a rally car or sports coupe.