Mitsubishi to Unveil Outlander V6 Concept & Prototype X

[Plex]

Previewing next generation Lancer Evolution

A few weeks after the successful world premiere of the Lancer sports sedan at the Detroit Motor Show, the 2007 Geneva will be another occasion for celebration at Mitsubishi Motors.

From March 6th to March 18th in Geneva, the automotive arm of the Mitsubishi group of companies will demonstrate how vision took it to car production exactly 90 years ago with Model-A in 1917, how its talent for engineering continues today bringing to the market innovative solutions like those proposed by the all-new Outlander and ultimately, how such a commitment will continue to fuel the passion with red-hot Prototype-X.

Yesterday with Model-A

The Mitsubishi Motors stand at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show will be graced by a very red machine � an exact replica of the 1917 Model-A - but of a very different nature than the expected Lancer Evolution� Different, but sharing the same culture over the last 90 years.

The history of Mitsubishi Motors as an automobile manufacturer began long before the Motor Vehicle Division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. was incorporated as �Mitsubishi Motors Corporation� in 1970 and even longer before its return to the Mitsubishi family in 2004.

Mitsubishi�s first vehicle was Model-A, Japan�s first attempt at series production of passenger cars which rolled off the line in August 1917. After a 4-year run, production of Model-A�s was stopped in 1921 when aircraft manufacturing took precedence over cars at Mitsubishi. No matter what, this vehicle was then a pioneer and Mitsubishi has been an innovator ever since.

In these early years, the cars were manufactured by the ship and aircraft building arm of Mitsubishi. Therein lies the origin of Mitsubishi Motors� dedication to creative engineering and resultant reputation for precision, reliability, quality and all-round performance of its vehicles, on-road, off-road, touring or racing.

Today with Outlander

Backed by these 90 years of in-house engineering expertise but also 70 years of 4x4 technology and 45 years of motor sports success, the new Outlander is a very legitimate SUV, challenging an increasingly crowded and predictable segment with design, technology and features to suit.

Leaving the role of authentic off-roader to the next generation Pajero, Outlander is a no-compromise solution for a different type of recreational vehicle. Using the in-built adaptability of MMC�s all-new global platform (see below), it brings passenger car-like levels of active safety and driving pleasure, thanks to its All Wheel Control drive-train, 4-wheel independent suspension, high performance brakes and low center of gravity. The latter is helped by an aluminium roof panel, using a technology tested with the Lancer Evolution IX.

Clearly inspired by the Pajero Evo 2+2 concept presented, Outlander�s front design blends into the muscular fenders with flared wheel arches and sharp lines, leaving no doubt about its character and dynamic abilities.

More so, in its Outlander V6-Concept livery (matt metallic grey with white roof and white accents) similar to that of Pajero Evo 2+2, Mitsubishi Motors� �desert GT� presented exactly 5 years ago at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show.

Appropriately dressed, this show car version of a potential more potent Outlander will showcase Mitsubishi Motors� all-new 3.0 l V6 MIVEC engine. Market conditions and customers� feedback permitting, it could be launched at a later stage in Europe (4).

This variant could then top a full range of Outlanders including:

2.0 Diesel pump-jet - 140 ps and 310 Nm - launched during the first quarter of 2007 (1).

2.2 Diesel common rail* � 156 ps and 380 Nm - to be launched end of 2007 (2).

2.4 l Petrol* - 170 ps and 226 Nm - to be launched during the fourth quarter of 2007 (3).

3.0 l Petrol* - 220 ps and 276 Nm, under study (4).

VAG-sourced

PSA Peugeot Citro�n-sourced

Mitsubishi Motors� own

Mitsubishi Motors� own. Already available in the US, as well as in Euro-3 form in Russia and in the Ukraine.

* All data subject to final homologation.

Tomorrow with Prototype-X

With cars like Outlander, the next generation Pajero or the 2007 Dakar-winning Pajero Evo, the flame is very much alive at MMC�s Okazaki R&D facilities in Japan as well as around the world for all Mitsubishi designers and engineers.

Ninety years after Model-A, it powers the Company through all its endeavors, such as �Project Global�, MMC�s new global platform and its most ambitious automotive project ever.

Previewed in October 2005 when the new Outlander was launched in Japan, this 3-million car global platform will be fully deployed from 2007 onwards through the launch of a new family of C-segment sedans (Lancer sports sedan and its derivatives) which share their stunning design language with the much-acclaimed 2005 Concept-X and Concept-Sportback concept cars.

With this platform, Mitsubishi Motors confirms its strategic decision to focus its product development over a limited number of intelligent platforms (from 14 to 6), i.e.: with the built-in flexibility needed to accommodate regional needs and regulations as well as market trends and new customer demands.

�Project Global� will also be the next best tool to fuel the passion and in Geneva like in Detroit, Mitsubishi Motors will hint at the next generation of its iconic �super-car�, the much anticipated and all-new Lancer Evolution through the Prototype-X show car.

Prototype-X will also demonstrate to the European public the depth and breadth of the forthcoming Lancer sports sedan family, ranging from entry model (1.5 l in Europe) right up to the all-new Lancer Evolution, the range topping �super-car�.

As Prototype-X indicates, Lancer Evolution will soon make perhaps the largest leap in overall capability seen between two generations of this model. The next Lancer Evolution will offer major gains in handling dynamics and technology while maintaining the kind of thrilling turbo engine performance that has made the model a legend around the world. This will start with a turbocharged version of the all-new aluminum 4B11 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC powerplant used in the 2008 Lancer sports sedan, yielding the highest power rating ever in a Lancer Evolution model. Stay tuned�

WorldCarFans