Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Japan, Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi unveils "design study" shots of the production Evo X
Click image for high-res gallery of the new Lancer Evolution X design study
The press release Mitsubishi released today is ostensibly about the new naming scheme for the JDM Lancer, details of which can be found in paragraph 2 below. Of far greater importance, however, is the fact that the photos included with the release reveal the closest look yet at a production Evo X. They're officially described as a "design study," but we probably expect this to be a near-100% representation of the production car's appearance. There are differences between it and the Prototype X that was shown in Detroit earlier this year. These include a new grille, foglights, different mirrors, more detailed taillamps, slightly different headlamps (note the amber indicators), and new wheels. The hood from the Prototype X is carried over, as is the vent aft of the front wheel well. Like the show car, the production design study sports Brembos with red-painted calipers. Keep in mind that nothing is officially official until Mitsubishi pulls the wraps off the final production car. This is as close as we'll get until that happens, and we think it looks excellent. You can compare the Prototype X to the Lancer Evolution X via the galleries below. Now, on to the naming scheme.
In Japan, the redesigned Mitsubishi Lancer has been renamed Galant Fortis. We're sure Mitsubishi has a reason for this other than the fact that Fortis in Latin means "strong, steadfast and courageous," but they don't spell one out in their press release. The release also contains news that the highly-anticipated Lancer Evolution X will indeed be called -- wait for it -- the Lancer Evolution X when it arrives in Japan. (In Europe and the US, it'll be called the Lancer Evolution.) There's also word that in Europe, a 5-door Lancer will bow in September. So, to summarize: In Japan, it looks like the Lancer nameplate has been reserved solely for the go-fast rally-style road carver. Fine by us (like it matters) -- and just for clarification, in the US, the Lancer is still called the Lancer. The Galant name is reserved for that big sedan with the funny-looking steering wheel.
PR after the jump.
[Source: Mitsubishi]
Gallery: Mitsubishi Prototype X
Gallery: Mitsubishi Galant Fortis (JDM)
PRESS RELEASE:
MITSUBISHI MOTORS ANNOUNCES NAMES OF TWO MODELS DUE FOR JAPAN DOMESTIC MARKET RELEASE THIS FALL
--"GALANT FORTIS" sedan & "LANCER EVOLUTION X" high-performance 4WD sedan --
Tokyo, 26 April, 2007 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced the names of two new models. The U.S.-market Lancer will be renamed "GALANT FORTIS" for the Japan domestic market. Also, Mitsubishi's rally-inspired, high-performance 4WD sedan will carry the name "LANCER EVOLUTION X"*..
The development concept for the new Galant Fortis* calls for a "new-generation global sedan with world-class levels of safety, environmental performance and comfort". Distinguishing features include: a high-rigidity platform that delivers excellent crashworthiness; a new 2-liter engine with aluminum cylinder block that delivers high power output and returns excellent fuel efficiency; exterior styling that imparts a broad stance and sporty lines; and a spacious, well appointed cabin.
* Latin for strong, steadfast, courageous.
The development concept for the all-new Lancer Evolution X specifies a "new-generation high-performance 4WD global sedan that allows all levels of driver to enjoy the car's speed and handling with ease and in safety". The new model features Mitsubishi's S-AWC** traction and handling system, that integrates the control of drive torque and braking management with the four-wheel drive system to help realize highly responsive and intuitive handling in addition to outstanding vehicle attitude stability. Other examples of Mitsubishi Motors' latest automotive technology to be featured in the new model include a new lightweight and high-performance 2.0-liter turbocharged MIVEC*** engine with aluminum cylinder block and a 6-speed automated manual transmission that contributes to exceptional performance with improved fuel economy. The car's performance-driven design makes the car's extreme potential clear, while cockpit design focuses the driver's attention on operating his machine.
* "X" ("Ten") stands for the tenth iteration of the Lancer Evolution released on the Japan domestic market. (In other markets the car will be called "LANCER EVOLUTION".)
** Super All Wheel Control
*** Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic Control System: Mitsubishi Motors variable valve system
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Spalind 1:50PM (4/26/2007)
And all across the world, Subaru enthusiats begin to weep uncontrolably....
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James Sonne 1:56PM (4/26/2007)
It looks even better than the prototype. I can hardly wait. I'm surprised at Road and Track's estimate of 4.5 to 60mph and 12.5 to the quarter, though. At 3500 pounds, I'd expect numbers around 14.0 to the quarter.
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bernie 2:00PM (4/26/2007)
Does Chrysler still have a business relationship with Mitsu? I ask because the guy who styled this one could teach the Chrysler "designers" a bundle.
Like where the door is, for starters.
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Ben 2:02PM (4/26/2007)
Why does the left and right side have different tires??
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Rick Lyon 2:14PM (4/26/2007)
Wow, nice, hot, sweet. What's the price point? Better be sub $20k if they want to sell any decent number of them.
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felipe 2:29PM (4/26/2007)
they are gonna sell a bizzilion of those.
the tuner market is gonna drop the WRX, and flock all over this.
very nice car, very well done. hope it holds up well mechanically. (and to all the beatings the 18-36 market will give it)
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Nick 2:32PM (4/26/2007)
"4. Why does the left and right side have different tires??"
Only the left side is shown...
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ghotman906 2:37PM (4/26/2007)
why is the inside of the spoiler black?
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rv 2:38PM (4/26/2007)
Sadly the design study is a year late - since Subie really should've been doing some studying. I agree the Mitsu looks nicer than the WRX but I'm sorry, if you think Mitsu's build quality is anywhere near Subaru, knock yourself out - but there's no comparison quality-wise. And I'll take Subaru's handling and AWD system, any day. Look at the last version of the Lancer - exterior and interior it is so cheaply assembled. Exterior it doesn't even look like the different body parts come together correctly and inside you can only hope the pieces stay together. This new one does look more solid but I wouldn't drop a dime on a Mitsubishi with the other offerings out there
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Eric 2:41PM (4/26/2007)
4. Why does the left and right side have different tires??"
7.Only the left side is shown...
In the front view picture you can clearly see that the front tires have different tire tread.
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Dave in MI 2:54PM (4/26/2007)
Can somebody photoshop that red car with a nice rear lip spoiler and drop the park bench/boy racer spoiler? Maybe I can just squint at the Lancer picture and see what it would look like.
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Yayaja 2:58PM (4/26/2007)
This looks awesome. There's more then a little Aston Martin styling in the front end, and I can only applaud Mitsu for including those styling techniques.
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Nick 3:00PM (4/26/2007)
"In the front view picture you can clearly see that the front tires have different tire tread."
Then given that it's a design study, there probably -is- a different set of wheels on the right side, showing off two possible wheel designs.
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AJ Quick 3:01PM (4/26/2007)
I wanna see Dodge's version.
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balex 3:04PM (4/26/2007)
#9, don't kid yourself, both the Evo/STi are souped up econoboxes, any differences in build quality are negligble at most. People aren't dropping $30K+ on these stupid-fast road going rally cars for build quality.
Plus, from what I've seen of the interior pics of the new Lancer, it looks quite nice. Let's wait and see, shall we?
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nardi 3:06PM (4/26/2007)
Why does the US market get the Fortis (which sounds like a part of your sexual organs) when the rest of the world get the EVO X which sounds cool. Like this car though.
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PJ 3:09PM (4/26/2007)
#9 - Mitsubishi has made several poor design decisions lately, and continues to sell poorly in NA, but there's little basis for build quality complaints. Every Mitsubishi vehicle included in CR's recent reliability studies earned an average or better score.
As for interior materials, both the Lancer and Impreza are shining (literally) examples of cheapness.
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Alex Nunez 3:09PM (4/26/2007)
nardi,
The Galant Fortis is the Japanese version of the new regular Lancer.
The Lancer Evolution X name is also specifically for Japan, because they have actually had every preceding generation.
In the US, the base car remains Lancer, while the Evo will officially be called Lancer Evolution.
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HotRodzNKustoms 3:37PM (4/26/2007)
I liked the concepts more. I do not care for the wheels, but overall this now makes the evo my top choice for cheap econo-box with a big motor. It's just so much better looking than the Subaru.
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Thunder 4:02PM (4/26/2007)
AJ,
Dodge's version is the Caliber SRT-4.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/25/spy-shots-dodge-caliber-srt-4-in-the-wild/
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