Filed under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Hatchbacks, Mitsubishi
Pics Aplenty: Mitsubishi Prototype S
by Alex Nunez on Feb 26th 2008 at 10:50AM 
Click for more hi-res images of the Mitsubishi Prototype S
Autobild spilled the beans over the weekend, and today, Mitsubishi lifted the embargo on its Geneva-bound Prototype S, which is basically the forthcoming Lancer Sportback in light concept trim. Beneath the hatchback's skin lies the powertrain used in in the new US-market Lancer Ralliart -- 240 horses, dual-clutch, full-time AWD, and active center differential. It's anyone's guess whether Mitsubishi will elect to offer it outside Europe, where the body style is sure to be a bread-and-butter seller. We certainly wouldn't turn it away, though; there's always room for more hatchbacks with "go." Check out the new high-res shots in the attached gallery, and Mitsu's official release after the jump.
Gallery: Mitsubishi Prototype S
[Source: Mitsubishi]
PRESS RELEASE:
Mitsubishi Motors lineup at 2008 Geneva International Motor Show
Prototype-S
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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Doug 11:03AM (2/26/2008)
I'm usually a huge fan of hatchbacks, but this really doesn't do much for me; The rear doesn't look very stylish - a bit dated. It reminds me a bit of a late 90's Saab 900... and not in a good way.
I actually like the Impreza hatch better and I think Mazda did a much better job of "hatch"-ing their cars than this.
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speedball3 11:42AM (2/26/2008)
Agreed. The duckbill spoiler is just ugly and even if I imagine it without the spoiler, the back keeps swapping between Audi (decent, but strange on a Mitsu) and old Saab (just plain ugly). The WRX **CAN** look good once you paint the chrome strip and replace the shiny taillights with red ones (and get gold wheels and swap out the suspension for something more sporty....). This one on the other hand, has more issues (automatic only, ugly....). To each his own though, there's no shame is a fast hatch, no matter how ugly someone else might think it is.
RP 1:04PM (2/26/2008)
Agreed -- the Mazda 3 is still the best looking hatch. And the Subaru is the worst looking, unfortunately.
Adam 11:03AM (2/26/2008)
You will be mine..... oh yes, you will be mine.
That interior is awesome. Something different and unique for a change.
Get this car here quickly, Mitsubishi.
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Franz 11:03AM (2/26/2008)
I think it looks good. Better than an Sti IMO. A worthy WRX competitor.
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Gooch 11:08AM (2/26/2008)
This looks different, but not really in a good way -- at least not in my eyes.
I never thought I'd say this, but every time I see the new WRX/STI, I like it more. It's not very good-looking in photos, but in the flesh, it's a lot more cohesive, especially with the character line on the flanks. I think a lot of people just don't like that it has changed in its visual character, but the STI's tires look sooooo wide in their fender flares. It is really agressive.
With this car, Mitsu misses the mark a bit. But I'll reserve final judgement until I see it in the flesh.
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Soccer Mom 11:12AM (2/26/2008)
What happened to those "Made In China" plastic parts inside? It actually looks like a decent interior. Are you sure it is Mitsubishi?
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psarhjinian 12:55PM (2/26/2008)
As someone who has been disappointed in every GM car up to (but not including) the Lambdas and Malibu, I tell you this:
In the era of Photoshop, press photos tell you nothing about interior quality.
That said, the Lancer isn't that bad (compared to, say, the Caliber, which is patently awful). The plastics are really hard, but the design and fit is okay and the ergonomics are actually rather good. The problem the Lancer has is that the Rabbit, Corolla, Civic and 3 set the bar really high for this class.
Dinger 1:58PM (2/26/2008)
Since when is a $16,000ish 132 hp sedan (Corolla) in the same class as a $24,000ish 240hp hatch?
Dinger 4:49PM (2/26/2008)
@psarhjinian
I hear what you are saying, however, I still disagree with you.
First of all you say that the “base” Lancer…
Only the concept we are talking about is not a base Lancer. It’s a 240hp Ralliart version.
Second you say that the interior of the Lancer, while okay at the lower DE price, is not acceptable in the price range of the Evo.
But what is the price range of the Evo? Everything in the price range of an Evo is simply not comparable.
A striper BMW 3-series? Sure it has a better interior but it’s missing about 80hp and AWD.
A tricked out V6 Honda Accord? Again, nice interior but it’s missing about 30 ponies and is the size of a battleship.
The Evo is about raw power. It’s about taking a base level car and infusing it with silly performance capabilities. It’s not about having a sophisticated luxurious ride, and Mitsubishi has never pretended that it was.
Saying that the Ralliart/Evo is bad because better interiors can be had at its price point is like saying that the M3 is bad because the LS460 offers more trunk space.
John R 11:17AM (2/26/2008)
I'm sold on this. I think it looks great.
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Martin 11:23AM (2/26/2008)
I save money over 2 years to buy this car and dont look like the model I saw in 2005. Please Mitsubishi, put the 2005 Sportback Concept in production! If you do not know that I am talking about, here are some links of that model.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/183/479738271_c4dc4ee108_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/479724174_c09f863283_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/479737969_207917d8a6_o.jpg
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Alex 1:11AM (2/28/2008)
You are right. I had never seen this model before. The concept I like more.
RP 1:12PM (2/26/2008)
Now that's HOT!
DIRETTORE 7:44PM (2/26/2008)
* Martini! How sweet it is!!!
You are sooo correct sir, YES!
Now, this should weigh less than the X.
AND if they place the EVO 400HP+ engine, this baby should go like a bat outa hell!
CT-Jake 11:26AM (2/26/2008)
Both the Mitsubishi and the Impreza have huge front overhangs and a chopped off rear end. To me, they give the impression of being very unbalanced - like if you lean on the hood, the rear end will pop up. :-) Not a svelt look.
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Galley 11:34AM (2/26/2008)
This thing looks like it pissed off.
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Justin 11:40AM (2/26/2008)
Why did they cut the back roofline so early? It takes away from storage capacity and makes it look kinda half-assed (hmm should we fully enclose it or not?) to me.
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philipg55 2:55PM (2/26/2008)
i agree, the storage capacity is greatly diminished over traditionally-styled hatches like the mazda3 and impreza, but it seems like they are going for more of a fastback look (a la mazda6 hatch).
I actually think it looks great. Its not just another cookie-cutter car, but will stand out in the crowd. Aggressive, but not too over the top. Too bad we probably wont even get it in the US.
judd 11:44AM (2/26/2008)
I like it sans the interior leather. It looks like you rubbed a deuce all over the material.
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