The Mitsubishi Prototype-S previews the next high-performance hatchback from Mitsubishi, which will compete Subaru’s Impreza WRX STi. Overall, the car looks good, but, like we said in a previous post, the front and the rear look like they’re from different cars. The awesome front part features the aggresive “Jet Fighter” grille in a matt black finish with mesh inserts and chrome surround, while the rear part is just dull and it looks like it was drawn in a hurry by the designers.
Under the hood, the Prototype-S features the 240 hp 2.0 liter Turbo engine which develops 343 Nm of torque and is mated to the Twin Clutch SST gearbox. The car also benefits from a full-time 4WD drivetrain featuring Mitsubishi Motors’ Active Center Differentia(ACD).
For more photos and the full press release, click on the ‘Read More’ link below.
Full Photo Gallery: Mitsubishi Protoype-S at Geneva
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Other Photo Gallery: Mitsubishi Prototype-S
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PRESS RELEASE
Right Brain
Prior to this most important introduction, Prototype-S previews the shape of things to come…
Just as Prototype-X (2007 Detroit) was a near real-life expression of Concept-X (2005 Tokyo) announ¬cing the new Lancer Sports Sedan and Lancer Evolution, Prototype–S follows up today the much-acclaimed Concept-Sportback show car (2005 Frankfurt), signalling the future arrival of the Mitsubishi C/D segment hatchback.
Building on the same assets of racing heritage, sharp design, rewarding driving dynamics and “right-brain” take at the market, Prototype-S hits 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).
Tonic
Sporting a very tonic metallic orange, the 458,5 cm Prototype-S adds the convenience of a liftgate and of flexible rear seating to the driving dynamics of the new Lancer range. Essentially a productionized version of the original Concept-Sportback, Prototype-S remains close to its inspiration.
At the front, it uses a further variation of Lancer’s trademark “Jet Fighter” grille featuring a full matt black finish, mesh inserts and chrome surround. It its flanked either sides with additional air intakes incor¬porating boomerang-shaped fog lights. Further distinguishing features include a Lancer Evolution-type hood, specific headlamps and 19” five-spoke alloy wheels.
At the rear, Prototype-S follows the same design theme explored in 2005 with Concept-Sportback with a very fast lift-gate surmounted by Sportback’s characteristic color-keyed roof spoiler. Elongated rear combination lamps widen the stance of the car as they warp around the rear fenders. A feature on their own, they sign a neat bumper/fender shut line that runs exactly parallel to the rear door opening.
Inside, Prototype-S displays a very continental flair with its italianate twin-hood meters, the black suede finish of the upper dashboard & door panels or the light brown-colored leather selected for its upholstery, in plain, perforated or weaved finish according to the area covered.
Of course, the meters are orange lit…
Fast Lane
Mirroring its aspirations, 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 or “ACD”).
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