Geneva '08 Preview: Mitsubishi Prototype S unmasked!

[jetsetter]

German pub Autobild has spilled the beans on the Geneva-bound Mitsubishi Prototype S. The "S" is for Sportback, and this show car forecasts a future production vehicle that will probably carry that moniker. The Sportback is crucial for the European market, where hatches account for the majority of car sales. Up front, you essentially have the Lancer Ralliart's nose, which is dressed up with more ornate, concept-style headlamps and foglights. Head around to the car's rump, and you can almost see Mitsu's people drawing a line in the sand, daring the 5-door WRX to come over and "play." The sloping rear hatch is topped by a large, body-colored roof spoiler, and restyled rear lighting wraps from the lid onto the quarter panels. Dual exhaust tips poke through a diffuser insert on the rear bumper, and stylish split-spoke wheels in a gunmetal finish occupy the lightly-flared fender cutouts. Mechanically, it seems that the Prototype S is outfitted with the same running gear as the Lancer Ralliart. The 2.0L turbo four delivers 240 PS (236 hp) and 343 Nm (253 lb-ft) of torque through a dual-clutch setup to a full-time AWD system with an active center differential. It's cool, we want it, and most importantly, it'd fit -- after all, Subaru markets the WRX here as both a sedan and a hatchback. Come on, Mits. Go tit for tat with them and bring this one across the pond after you give it to Europe.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/23/g...pe-s-unmasked/

I'm not so sure about this one. To me the Impreza works better as a hatchback than this vehicle.

[Blind_Io]

I think it looks quite good, but Mitsubishi has always had cramped interiors for me.

[MadCow809]

erm... wtf have they done to the back.

they ruined it !!

[IoNik]

Mitsubishi tried to create a fastback.. not bad.. for a first attempt..

[_HighVoltage_]

I bet it's not going to have those headlights though

[jayhawk]

Probably what will be the next Evolution estate/wagon.

[No Boss]

Looks good from the front.... but from the sides and back, it's erm.... awkward.

[bartboy9891]

It would look much better if it looked more like a wagon and less like a hatch. From the side it looks like the front and rear axles are too close to each other.

[IceBone]

The lip and the chrome around the grille mark this as the Ralliart version. Looks very nice for the first attempt fastback, but i'd still have the saloon version any day.

[ahpadt]

Why did they copy the STI tail lights?

[IceBone]

It's been asked before and i again i must ask back.





What the smeg are you on about?

[amdforever]

Originally Posted by MadCow809

erm... wtf have they done to the back.

they ruined it !!

What the fxck are they thinking when they design the curves right after the rear door?

[Donington]

Well, it's obviously a counter to the Impreza, and even if this form it's better looking. Saloon for the win, though.

[No Boss]

I think if anything it looks like an Astra VXR from the rear quarter shot.

[powah]

Looks nice but...


They kinda have a similar shape.

[Silverstar]

Originally Posted by No Boss

I think if anything it looks like an Astra VXR from the rear quarter shot.

That's the FIRST thing that popped into my head when I saw it . Even if the VXR is a 3-door.

[devil500]

I'll buy that for $25,000 OTD new if I had the funds

[Dsemaj]

The pointy nose doesn't work with that hatchback. Proportions are all messed up!

STi > *

[Paul_The_Aussie]

Originally Posted by powerof1000

Looks nice but...


They kinda have a similar shape.

Exactly what I was thinking, very similar shape, the spoiler at the back and the way the tail flows to the exhaust.

[IceBone]