autos sport

Ahead of its global unveiling on 4th March at the Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi now reveals official images of the Prototype-S or in other words, the pre-production version of the Lancer Sportback (5door hatchback) that's expected to go on sale in Europe this summer.

More importantly, the Prototype-S previews the Lancer Sportback Ralliart that like its American cousin, is equipped with a de-tuned version of the EVO X’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, developing a maximum output of 240 PS and 35 kgm of torque. The power unit is combined with the EVO X’s Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission and full-time 4WD driveline with an Active Center Differential (ACD).

The Lancer Sportback Ralliart will compete head on with the Subaru Impreza WRX when it start’s its European career later this year. As for the rest of the Sportback range, Mitsubishi believes that this 5-door hatchback variant of the new Lancer family will be the most important of all in Europe, representing for example, a whopping 80% of the forecasted Lancer volume in the UK. –High-re image gallery after the jump

Prototype-S specification

• Length (mm)-4,585
• Width (mm)-1,760
• Height (mm)-1,480
• Wheelbase (mm)-2,635
• F/R track (mm)-1,530/1,530
• Occupants-5
• Engine-2L MIVEC 4-cylinder DOHC with intercooler/turbocharger
• Max. output-177 kW (240ps)
• Max. toque-343 Nm (35kgm)
• Driveline-Full-time 4WD (with ACD)
• Transmission-Twin Clutch SST
• Tires-215/45R19

Following a leak into the internet last week, Mitsubishi came out with an official press release on the Lancer Prototype-S that will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. As Carscoop suggested (click here), the prototype not only previews the forthcoming Lancer hatch, but also the European spec Lancer Ralliart, both of which will go on sale this summer.

According to Mitsubishi, the Prototype-S blends elements from Concept-Sportback (the overall hatch concept), Lancer Evolution X (the execution) and Lancer Ralliart (240 HP / 343 Nm 2.0 litre turbo engine, Twin Clutch SST gearbox, full-time 4WD drivetrain with Active Center Differential), as well as proposing a further evolution of Mitsubishi's Jet Fighter grille. -Continued after the jump

Press Release

Mitsubishi Motors to show Prototype-S sports hatchback concept at 2008 Geneva Show

Tokyo, January 28, 2008 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is to give the Prototype-S concept for a sports hatchback 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.)

Deriving from MMC's sport sedan family, which includes the Lancer (named the Galant Fortis on the Japanese market) launched in 2007 and the Lancer Ralliart announced at the 2008 Detroit Motors Show and the Lancer Evolution (Lancer Evolution X in Japan) premiered at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, Prototype-S takes the form of a hatchback - a very popular body type in European markets.

Distinguished by the inverted-slant nose with trapezoidal grille front fascia that marks Mitsubishi Motors new design identity and with wide-and-low proportions that leave no doubt as to the concept underlying its design, Prototype-S uses exterior lines to craft a shape that is powerful and sporty even by European standards, echoing the acclaimed 2005 Concept-Sportback show car.

In its mechanical specification Prototype-S is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder DOHC MIVEC^*1 intercooler / turbocharger engine [developing maxima of 177 kW (240 PS) and 343 Nm (35 kg-m)] mated to Mitsubishi Motors's high-efficiency Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission that marries fun-to-drive control with outstanding fuel efficiency. 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 split to different driving conditions and deliver the best balance between steering response and traction.

We just received these high-res official sketches (or at least they seem to be official) of the Mitsubishi Lancer Prototype S in our mail from a Carscoop reader who wishes to remain anonymous. According to our reader, the 5door Lancer prototype will make its debut at the Geneva Show on March 4. Unlike the Lancer Sportsback 5door concept that was shown in 2005, the Prototype S in the sketches is practically production ready.

While we don’t have any official information in our hands, from what we can tell, the specific prototype looks like its previewing the forthcoming Euro Spec 5door Lancer Ralliart. Like its American (4door) counterpart -click here, it too will come with a 240 PS 2.0 litre Turbo Engine coupled with a full-time 4WD system with Active Yaw Control and Active Centre Differential. We’ll try to dig out more information on the Lancer Prototype S later on the day. -Image gallery after the jump

Without doubt, the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is one of the most anticipated cars of the year for all us nutty gearheads with a limited budget in our hands. If Mitsubishi plays its cards right in terms of pricing when sales start in the US this summer, the Lancer Ralliart has the potential to become an instant success. Heck, if it's good we'd even call it the.. ECO X!

The Ralliart is practically a toned down version of the new EVO X. Not only is it powered by the same new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine (detuned however to develop 240 HP), but it is also matted to the EVO X’s Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission and it features a full-time 4WD driveline with Mitsubishi's Active Center Differential (ACD). Design-wise, the Lancer Ralliart is distinguished by the new front bumper design, rear air dam, dual mufflers and an intake in the lightweight aluminum engine hood that delivers cooling air to the turbocharger. Thanks for the tip Matthias! -Details and pics after the jump

Scroll Down For The Press Release

Press Release:

2009 Lancer Ralliart

The Lancer Ralliart model is the latest addition to the sporty Lancer compact car family. This new model reinforces the sporty identity of the Lancer lineup (Lancer, Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Evolution) with aggressive styling and driving performance to be well positioned between the Lancer and the Lancer Evolution models.

Lancer Ralliart is powered by a new 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC intercooled and turbocharged engine that develops an estimated 240 horsepower. The engine is mated to Mitsubishi's Twin Clutch-SST gearbox that delivers highly-efficient power transmission while enhancing the sporty driving qualities of the vehicle with lightning-quick, silky-smooth, paddle-actuated shifts or programmed fully-auto modes. The Lancer Ralliart's full-time 4WD driveline features Mitsubishi's Active Center Differential (ACD). The ACD unit employs an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch center differential, vectoring drive torque to the front and rear according to different driving conditions to realize the best balance between steering response and traction characteristics on Tarmac, Gravel, or Snow surfaces. Lancer Ralliart is also equipped with a front helical and rear mechanical limited slip differentials.

The Lancer Ralliart exterior is distinguished by its more aggressively styled front bumper design, rear bumper cover, dual outlet muffler and a lightweight aluminum, ducted hood that delivers cooling air to the turbocharger. The interior design places greater emphasis on function and vehicle control. Lancer Ralliart is equipped with FAST key, hands free telephone interface, the same Twin Clutch-SST shifter used on Lancer Evolution, and easily accessible steering column mounted paddle shifters.

Available equipment and options to include: Recaro seats, HID headlights, 650 watt Rockford Fosgate 9-speaker audio system, Sirius satellite radio, power sunroof, and a 30 GB Hard Drive Navigation system

Also on display, the Galant GTO R73-X show car, the Lancer EX2000 Turbo and the all-new 2008 Lancer Evolution complement the full-line up of Mitsubishi vehicles for North America.

Lancer Ralliart specifications

Overall length (mm) - 4,570

Overall width (mm) - 1,760

Overall height (mm) - 1,490

Wheelbase (mm) - 2,635

F/R track (mm) - 1,530 / 1,530

Occupants - 5

Engine - 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC with intercooler/turbocharger

Max. output - 177 kW (240 PS)

Max torque. - 343 Nm (35 kg-m)

Driveline - Full-time 4WD (with ACD)

Transmission - Twin Clutch SST

Tires - 215/45R18