| Concept Preview | 2008 Geneva Motor Show | Mitsubishi Lancer Prototype-S |
Mitsubishi has confirmed that a five-door version of the Lancer will go on sale in the UK later in 2008. Our first glimpse of the new car will be at the
Geneva motorshow in March when Mitsubishi will unveil its Lancer Prototype-S concept car.
The Prototype-S is a five-door version of the newly introduced
Evo X and the concept shares the Evo's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine (albeit in detuned 236bhp format), twin clutch gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive. The bright orange-painted concept will show off Mitsubishi's sporty take on the family hatchback, which clearly has the new Subaru Impreza in its sights.
However, Mitsubishi says the Evo X will only be available in four-door form, so there will be no direct hatchback rival for the Subaru WRX and STI models. Sales of the five-door Lancer are expected to start in the summer and Mitsubishi reckons this version will account for 80% of all Lancer sales in Europe.
Also on Mitsubishi's Geneva stand will be the i-EV electric city car alongside the Pajero Evolution desert racer that was supposed to compete in this year's cancelled Dakar Rally.
Alisdair Suttie - 29 Jan 2008