2008 Geneva Motor Show: Mitsubishi Prototype-S
Looks like: A four-door hatchback version of the Lancer
Defining characteristics: Massive trapezoidal grille, forward-swept liftgate, turbocharged four-cylinder, twin-clutch transmission
Ridiculous features: Giant rear spoiler
Chance of being mass-produced: Europe will get a production version later this year; we can only hope the U.S. is in line for it, too
Mitsubishi says the Prototype-S concept car you see here foreshadows what the next Lancer Sportback will look like. The design is a far cry from the last Lancer Sportback offered in the U.S. a few years ago, which was decidedly more wagon-like than this racy hatchback.
Like its exterior, the powertrain in the Prototype-S seems like it has a reasonable shot at making it to production. That’s because it’s very similar to what’s under the hood of the new 2009 Lancer Ralliart. Specifically, the concept features a 237-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that teams with Mitsubishi’s six-speed twin-clutch transmission. The transmission has both manual and automatic modes, and engine power is routed to all four wheels through an all-wheel-drive system that includes an electronically controlled center differential.
Mitsubishi says the production Lancer Sportback goes on sale in Europe later this year, and with the resurgence of hatchbacks in the U.S. it seems like a perfect time to bring the model back to the States — especially when it looks as good as this.
