Mitsubishi to Preview Evo X in Tokyo

Motoring Channel Staff - 4/10/2005

Not long after the Australian release of the $600 million '380' large car, Mitsubishi will be showing a number of concept cars at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, one of which provides clues as to the 2007 Lancer Evo X's new look.

Named the Concept-X, the 4-seat vehicle shares much of its front end with another recently released concept vehicle, the Concept Sportback, which was first spotted at the '05 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.

Looking like an amalgamation of a supercar and a Mazda6, the Concept-X is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder DOHC engine, whose power and torque gets a significant boost from an intercooler-turbocharger setup, a la the Lancer Evolution vehicles.

It transfers the engine's power to all four wheels by a clutchless 6-speed auto-manual transmission, one that the company says realises slicker shifting and higher transmission efficiency than a regular manual gearbox.

Paddle shifters mounted on the steering column allow the driver to concentrate on his steering, enabling drivers of all abilities to experience the car's inherent sporty driving capabilities.

Mitsubishi calls the Concept-X's design purposeful and handsome, a form that strongly hints at future models and styling features. The company even says the design retains the spartan performance image that defines the Lancer Evolution series, further alluding to the concept's status as an Evo IX replacement.

Distinguished by its eye-catching oversized grille, the front visage borrows design cues from a jet fighter to hint broadly at the huge quantities of air it draws in and at the car's road-hugging stability.

The brand-identifying 3-diamond logo on the leading edge of the engine hood is another distinguishing element of the new-age Evolution design.

The concept vehicle's weight is kept to a minimum via the use of aluminium components in the engine hood/bonnet, boot lid, quarter panels, the roof and the front and rear door panels, and in combination with a ring-structure frame the Concept-X's design realises a significant increase in body stiffness. Incidentally, a ring-structure frame resembles rib bones, which purportedly increases the car bodies strength and stiffness.

Another feature expected to increase driving enjoyment is the introduction of Mitsubishi's latest 4WD-based Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamics control system.

This S-AWC is a further step up the evolutionary ladder of Mitsubishi Motors four-wheel drive traction and handling technology, says the company, expected to be a big marketing feature of the new Lancer Evo X when it launches in 2007.

Based on Mitsubishi's full-time 4WD system whose core systems is based on ACD (Active Centre Differential) and Super AYC (Active Yaw Control) component technologies, S-AWC adds Active Brake Control, Active Steering System and Roll Control Suspension technologies to ensure even more mid-corner traction.

In addition to the new Super All Wheel Control system, the Concept-X is underpinned by MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear, which directly employ the aforementioned Roll Control Suspension technology.

Mitsubishi says that the combined weight reduction, lowering the centre of gravity and reducing the moment of inertia all contribute to better motive performance and handling, and we're sure that the 20-inch alloy wheels fitted with wide 255/35 R20 tyres can't hurt it's handling abilities either.

Inside the car, the idea of high end performance continues with a high-definition LCD monitor providing a real-time display the S-AWC operating status. Even rear seat passengers have their own LCD displays at the back of the front seats, allowing them to share with the pilot the driving-related information.

Outlander

To be launched in early 2007, the new Outlander will compete with other compact 4WDs from Subaru, Nissan and Toyota. The all-new mid-size SUV sits on a newly developed platform that features increased crashworthiness and body stiffness, and will be one of the first compact 4WDs to feature a CVT (continuously variable transmission).

The '07 Outlander's new powertrain mates an upgraded aluminium 2.4-litre 16-valve DOHC engine to this new Sport Mode 6-speed CVT, generating 125kW of power and 226Nm of torque and, like the Concept-X, it features an aluminium roof panel to improve rigidity and reduce weight.

Not dissimilar to the Toyota RAV4, the new Outlander will seat 5 with an option for 7-seats, likely to entice family buyers. A turbo diesel model will be also be offered in Europe.

To realise predictable handling and allow the driver to safely follow his chosen line, the Outlander marries Active Stability Control (ASC) technology to Mitsubishi's proven electronically controlled 4WD system to realise fully integrated control of engine output as well as of torque and braking force at each wheel.

Inside the new soft-roader from Mitsubishi, there's also a 650-watt amplifier, a 25cm subwoofer, nine speakers and a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) system produces sound in pristine audio fidelity, clarity and depth, according to the company.

Mitsubishi Concept D:5

The D:5 is a concept for the next-generation Delica model, an AWD van type vehicle sold in more than 70 countries. The go-anywhere-anytime, high-mobility, high-functionality new 4WD mono-box concept wraps together the classy living space and functionality sought by today's minivan customers. Deriving from its advanced 4WD system, MITSUBISHI Concept D:5 offers a refined but rugged design that projects a reassuring sense of protective safety.

To deliver maximum driving pleasure and in line with Mitsubishi's All Wheel Control (AWC) philosophy, the D:5 concept employs the same electronically controlled four-wheel drive system as Outlander. The powertrain mates a new 2.4-litre MIVEC engine (the same 125kW engine seen in the '07 Outlander) to a Sport Mode 6-speed CVT to deliver all-surface go-anywhere performance.

Drivers are offered a choice of three operating modes in the next generation Delica: 2WD, which returns the best fuel economy on good surfaces; 4WD AUTO, which automatically tailors torque traction and handling characteristics to different surfaces; and 4WD LOCK, which maximises traction for full 4WD performance over harsh terrain.

New safety innovations will feature in the D:5 concept set to debut at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show, including a peripheral monitoring system with 10 approach sensors that can detect pedestrians or obstacles in the close vicinity of the car. Other features include 'Lane Trace Assist', where an on-board camera monitors the lane dividing lines and the system applies a corrective torque to the electric power steering when it senses the vehicle is starting to depart from its lane, thus alleviating driver strain and fatigue.

Finally, the D:5 also shows off an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system, making use of millimetre-wave radar to monitor the distance to the vehicle ahead and regulate engine power and the CVT reduction gear ratio accordingly. By maintaining a safe following distance at all times, ACC enables safe and strain-free cruising.

Other models on show at the Mitsubishi exhibit of this years biggest Asian motor show include the previously unveiled 'i' show car, a 3-cylinder micro car, which looks set to compete with vehicles from the Mercedes-owned mini-car brand, 'smart'.

Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution MIEV, essentially a technology exhibit, marries the Lancer Evolution's bodyshell to a cutting edge electric propulsion system. Instead of a the traditional placing of the electric engine, the MIEV concept feature four electric motors, located inside each 20-inch wheel. Producing 200kW of power (50kW per wheel) and 518Nm of torque, the all-electric Evo accelerates to 100km/h from rest in under 8.0 seconds, with a top speed of 180km/h, proving that electric cars don't have to be ponderous and slow.

The foremost feature of the in-wheel motor is that it allows drive torque and braking force to be regulated with high precision on an individual wheel basis without requiring transmission, drive shafts, differential gears or other complex and heavy components. Housing the drive system in the wheels also gives greater freedom in designing the layout, making it easier to provide room for space-consuming components such as fuel cell stacks and hydrogen tanks in fuel cell vehicles.