Mitsubishi Prototype X: Evolution X By Any Other Name

By Feann Torr - 11/Jan/2006

Detroit, USA — There are few cars on the market today that excite the senses as much as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution series. The Evo, along with a couple of others (like Audi's ballistic RS 4), is in a very unique position - it is not an exotic car but has the capabilities to tango with Europe's best.

Not only attainable with a price-point that won't subvert your bank balance, the Evolution range of cars are stupidly quick, especially though corners.

With a whistle from the turbocharger, a pop from the wastegate, and a screech of the sticky tyres, this is the kind of car that will wake you up, shake off the cobwebs and generally scare you witless. Ostensibly rally cars homologated for the road, these fiercely tractable Evo models have always featured highly tuned turbocharged 4-cylinder engines that pack a considerable punch, regularly setting sub 6.0 second 0-100km/h passes.

Yeah, I'm a fan.

And joy of joys - the next generation model has just been spotted in America. Launched at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show, the car that will eventually morph into the production model Mitsubishi Evo X - the 10th version thus far - is called the Prototype X, and is pretty much how the next generation Lancer Evo will look.

With a thoroughly modern exterior design that makes the current Evo IX look like a cheap plastic toy, the new model comes across as less Japanese looking, and more European looking. Time will tell if the new look is popular.

The new look front end retains the front-mounted intercooler - a sure sign that this is no ordinary small car - and the new look headlights and 'shark-nose' front apron and grille give the car a much more sophisticated image, while still keeping everything overtly aggressive.

The bonnet features the now legendary mesh covering that allows the heat from the engine bay to dissipate more easily, and there's even an extra little scoop behind that this time around, which is sure to stir emotions in the Subaru WRX camp.

Based on the new 2008 Lancer, the car's shape is considerably more appealing than its predecessor's, with a higher window line and wedge-like profile that rises towards the rear, adding a rather sporty aspect to the model.

Compared directly to the 2008 Lancer, the Prototype X concept car features a different front apron, rear quarter panels and boot lid, and being an Evo there's the obligatory high-rise wing, which is also complemented by another downforce generator - the rear diffuser. Underneath this, a new twin exhaust system gives the car a stronger horizontal presence.

So, what's new for the 2008 model Evo X? Apart from the angular new look, which isn't too bad, there's been quite a few developments, and the one I'm most intrigued by is the new gearbox. While a 5-speed manual gearbox will be offered (thankfully), Mitsubishi revealed in Detroit that a new 6-speed automated manual transmission will also be available as a cost option.

By automated manual transmission, Mitsubishi is talking about an automatic gearbox, so drivers that want to leave the new Evo in 'D' can just cruise around at their leisure without having to wrestle a gear stick or modulate a clutch. However, the new gearbox will be somewhat like the Volkswagen Group's DSG (direct shift gearbox), which uses two layshafts and two clutches to instantly swap gears. In practice, these automated manual transmissions are quicker than standard manuals and easier to use, which is quite something, and the Evo X will get steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters too.

Mitsubishi is being fairly cagey with specifics, so we don't know whether the gearbox will use twin clutches and gear shafts, or just one, or whether it will be completely different from the current crop of efficient double-clutch automatics.

Now, it's intriguing to note that this will be an option, but I have to say that while Volkswagen's DSG is a brilliant piece of kit, in my opinion the quick-shifting gearbox doesn't offer the same feedback as a standard manual, and particularly in higher performance cars. For example, the Golf R32 is a wicked car with impressive power and great grip, but it sometimes feels detached and soulless to drive because of its DSG and theclinical way in which it slams down the power.

The new 6-speed auto/manual gearbox offering will probably give the Evo X more straight line speed, but in my experience these super-quick gearboxes can be sometimes negatively affect the driving experience, but rest assured we'll bring you all the news of the new 6-speed automated manual gearbox after we've driven the new Evo X when it comes Down Under, probably in early 2009.

Another major change to the new Mitsubishi Evo X is the realisation of more power. Having driven (extensively) the last handful of iterations from the Evo VI to the Evo IX, my first thought upon reading this was "why?". The Evo is already a quicker car round some racetracks than the Lamborghini Murcielago (first generation), and can outpace most exotic cars in terms of cornering speed and grip. That said, the new Lancer design will probably herald a weight gain, so a power increase may end up being necessary to keep it fit.

Gone is the famous 4G63 turbo engine from the previous models, replaced by a turbocharged version of the 4B11, which is a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine that powers the lesser models in the new 2008 Lancer range. Mitsubishi reckons the tweaked and tuned 4B11 engine will "yield the highest power rating ever in an Evolution model". Hmmm... Sounds very enticing.

The new turbocharged, intercooled engine is a good 20kg lighter than the previous block, largely because its construction has been switched from ye old-school cast iron to light weight aluminium. Mitsubishi isn't yet ready to announce the final power yield, because they're still testing the engine, but I reckon it'll hit about 220kW or so, with about 370Nm of torque. Mitsubishi stated that the "reciprocating assembly of the turbocharged 4B11 is capable of withstanding high levels of boost," which should please tuners the world over.

Furthermore, Mitsubishi has also revealed that the power core of the new Evolution X will have "less differentiation from market to market than the previous generations," which means that, with any luck, we'll get the same high-powered models in Australia that are offered in Japan.

Other bits and bobs returning for duty include the wondrous S-AWC system, or Super All Wheel Control, plus the Active Yaw Control (AYC) rear differential, which has always given the Evo a distinct edge over the WRX STI, which doesn't have one and suffers an acute case of understeer as a result. 

These features combine to afford the car a permanent 4WD status, and together with ASC (active skid control) Mitsubishi promises that the 10th generation Evolution will be the best yet. And that's saying something. Another feature returning in 2008/2009 will be the Active Center Differential (ACD), which had three settings in the Evo IX version, and changes the amount of power being transferred between the front and rear axles on the fly.

The S-AWC and AYC systems have been upgraded somewhat for the 2008 model Evolution X, and as per Evo tradition, the car also gets a completely new suspension array. Different to the steel components that make up the standard 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer model's suspension, the Evo X will benefit from forged aluminium suspension components, which are lighter and somewhat stiffer, which Mitsubishi says will make the ride more compliant than before (i.e. not rock hard like current models), while still retaining the car's aggressive cornering abilities. Indeed, the company says, and I quote, "...the upcoming Lancer Evolution to be a markedly better car for everyday driving."

The Prototype X sits on large 20-inch wheels which would afford the banzai buzz box with stunning levels of traction, but the production model Evo X will probably get 17- or possibly 18-inch alloy wheels, and the Brembo brakes look massive too, though exact dimensions of the rotors and callipers have not yet been divulged by the Japanese automaker.

As well as a more compliant ride, more power from its pressure-boosted engine, more traction trickery and of course that polarising new look, Mitsubishi is keen to improve the car's profile among the less performance obsessed drivers, granting new cost options such as a 650W premium stereo system by Rockford-Fosgate, complete with ear-drum destroying capabilities. Another interesting feature is the HDD navigation system that comes complete with a music server, and other less impressive (but practical) options include Bluetooth functionality, steering wheel audio controls, and an automatic climate control system, the latter of which will be good during dry, hot Australian summers.

Akin to the sophisticated and, dare I say, stylish exterior design, the interior of the Prototype X concept (and hopefully the Evolution X) is considerably more appealing than the previous models, with a smart looking interior design and good use of luxury/sports materials. The dash has a more purposeful look with a modernistic edge that has been lacking in previous models. The seats, meanwhile, are Recaro buckets with trendy suede inserts and hardcore side bolsters to keep bodies from slewing around when the G-forces rise.

One interesting new feature is the electronic lap timer located in a prominent position on the dash, just above the stereo. In the Prototype X concept model, it looks like it was tacked on as an afterthought, but let's hope it makes the grade. Mitsubishi has stated that "while not all design features and content seen on Prototype X will make it to the production vehicle, the overall design will carry through," so what you see here is close to what you'll be seeing on a daily basis if you buy one of these giant-killing go-karts.

So, there you have it - the Mitsubishi Prototype X in all its glory. The final Evolution X may have a couple of slightly different styling cues hither and thither, this is pretty much what the new Evo will look like, and I for one am hanging out like an orangutan to drive one of these new models. The legendary status the Evolution model has developed is well and truly justified, and with a bit of luck, this status will be reinforced with even more vigour when the 10th version of the Evolution super sports sedan arrives.

Related articles:
- Mitsubishi Lancer (2008)
- Mitsubishi Evolution IX (Road Test)
- Suzuki Swift Sport vs. Mitsubishi Ralliart Colt (Road Test)
- Mitsubishi's Customised Cars: SEMA (2006)
- Mitsubishi NS Pajero (2006)
- Mitsubishi 380 VRX (2006)