GENEVA — More than a month ahead of its planned debut at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, Mitsubishi has released sketches of its Prototype-S, responding to heavy leakage on automotive Web sites and blogs around the world.
The automaker says the Prototype-S is a hatchback derived from the "sport sedan family" that includes the Lancer (Japan's Galant Fortis), the Lancer Ralliart from the 2008 Detroit Auto Show and the Lancer Evolution. It appears to be a near-production-ready version of the Sportback concept that was first shown at Frankfurt in 2005 — a model that is likely to be marketed in Europe as the Lancer Ralliart five-door.
The concept has all-wheel drive, active yaw control, an active center differential and a turbocharged 240-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder under the skin. The appearance has the new Mitsubishi design signature, including an "inverted slant nose with trapezoidal grille front fascia" for a "powerful and sporty" look, Mitsubishi says.
What this means to you: Sadly, the production version of the five-door Lancer Sportback may be reserved exclusively for European customers. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
The automaker says the Prototype-S is a hatchback derived from the "sport sedan family" that includes the Lancer (Japan's Galant Fortis), the Lancer Ralliart from the 2008 Detroit Auto Show and the Lancer Evolution. It appears to be a near-production-ready version of the Sportback concept that was first shown at Frankfurt in 2005 — a model that is likely to be marketed in Europe as the Lancer Ralliart five-door.
The concept has all-wheel drive, active yaw control, an active center differential and a turbocharged 240-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder under the skin. The appearance has the new Mitsubishi design signature, including an "inverted slant nose with trapezoidal grille front fascia" for a "powerful and sporty" look, Mitsubishi says.
What this means to you: Sadly, the production version of the five-door Lancer Sportback may be reserved exclusively for European customers. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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