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

Mumbai: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will globally debut  its Prototype-S sports hatchback concept at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show due to open on 4 March at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex.

The event will be open to the public two days later on 6 March through 16 March.

Derived from Mitsubishi's sport sedan family, which includes the Lancer (named the Galant Fortis in the Japanese market) that was launched in 2007 and the Lancer Ralliart announced at the 2008 Detroit Motors Show in January and the Lancer Evolution (Lancer Evolution X in Japan) premiered at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the 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, the 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 the Prototype-S is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder DOHC MIVEC (Mitsubishi innovative valve timing electronic control system) intercooler / turbocharger engine [developing maximum of 177 kW (240 PS) and 343 Nm (35 kg-m)] mated to Mitsubishi Motors's 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 centre 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.