by Thami Masemola March 4, 2008 10:14 PM
Filed Under: Japanese, Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi finally pulled the covers off newest baby, the 2.0-litre Prototype-S, which for all intents and purposes we can call Lancer Sportback. Mistu has plans to semi-dominate Europe and other regions where hatchbacks are king. In fact the company proposes that 70 percent of all Lancer sold in Europe will be Prototype-S-based, or rather will be the Lancer Sportback. Will we see “lesser” models too such as the 114kW normally aspirated 2.0-litre for volume purposes? How about that turbo-diesel also?
Induced to go forth by the same 2.0-litre turbo of the great Lancer Evo X, Prototype-S is castrated to the tune of 177kW, which is not a bad place at all to be. Consider that Opel Astra OPC and Subaru WRX play around similar power turf.
The Prototype-S uses a twin-clutch gearbox system with full-time AWD for good traction and safer handling.
Just as Concept-X (2005 Tokyo) and then Prototype-X (2007 Detroit) announced the new Lancer Sports Sedan and Lancer Evolution, Prototype-S will follow in the footsteps of the much-acclaimed Concept-Sportback show car (2005 Frankfurt) to preview the shape of the forthcoming Lancer Sportback.
When launched later in the year, this 5-door hatchback variant of the new Lancer family will be the most important of all in Europe, representing 70% of the forecasted Lancer volume in the region.
Sporting a very tonic metallic orange - similar to the one selected for Lancer Ralliart at the Detroit Auto Show a few weeks ago - Prototype-S will add the convenience of a liftgate and of flexible rear seating to the driving dynamics of the new Lancer range.
In that sense, it will hit 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).
Mirroring this aspiration, 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), as well as proposing a further evolution of Mitsubishi Motors’ Jet Fighter grille.
I know that is sarcasm, but the grill does look nicer upside down. And once you get past the grill the rest of the car is vastly different from the audi model range.
The rear looks alfaish. Having said that, its a nice car, better than Subaru. Cant believe they picked red....thats what Audi picked for their A4 wagon!! Looks very similar. Dont understand why Mits always copy, cant they come up with original ideas? Eclipse coupe was another classic example of a copy cat
You would think that after all these years manufacturers would learn from the mistakes of others! How could Mitsubishi think that it would be a profitable exercise to build an Impreza look-a-like, then smash the nose in, paint it red and call it a Protoype S. The Evo Lancer is great; this 'thing' is far from being great at all...
Guys! This car is not red coloured, but tonic metallic orange. I think the car looks great! Today everybody copies from eachother, how can somebody make an original when so much designs has been created. Mitsu keep doing the good work.
