Mitsubishi Prototype X

The folks at Mitsubishi say the Prototype X is a "99-percent accurate" representation of what the production Lancer Evolution X will be when it makes its worldwide debut at the Tokyo Motor show in October.

Here's what we know about the Evo X right now: It's based on the significantly more rigid Lancer platform, and will be powered by the new aluminum-block 4B11 2.0-liter inline-4 with MIVEC variable valve timing. Power is expected to be in the neighborhood of 300 bhp, sent to all four wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox or a twin-clutch DSG-type gearbox with magnesium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

There's an effort to make one worldwide specification for the car, which means the U.S. models will be available with the Super All-Wheel Control package, which includes active yaw control, an active center differential and anti-skid control for the first time on an Evo. What's more, the package includes an aluminum roof, to help lower the roll centers by a few millimeters and allow the active center diff to be that much more aggressive with its tuning.

We like what we see, and although the upcoming production Evo X will likely be a few hundred pounds heavier than the Evo IX it's replacing, the car will likely appeal to a broader audience because of its greater refinement and added safety, the latter enhanced by seven standard airbags. Expected on-sale date: January 2008.

Read About the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Here