2007 Mitsubishi Prototype X Concept

Although it is about a year away from actually going on sale, and thePrototype X Concept is still officially just that, a concept, I crawled underneath to take a look at the rear multi-link and forged aluminum control arms that make up the new rear suspension and can say with confidence that it’s 99% good to go. Even Mitsubishi says the sheet metal has been finalized. Although the styling is instantly recognizable as coming directly from last year’s Concept X, I think the Prototype X concept, which recently debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit is better looking and more defined than the Concept X.

Compared to the current Evo, the Prototype X is Cinderella standing next to one of the wicked stepsisters. It's slightly taller and wider too, and even rides on a longer wheelbase than the outgoing Evo IX. Massive Brembo brakes and equally large 20 inch forged BBS wheels wrapped in sticky 255/30R20 rubber pushed to the four corners, complete the look. However, I think the big news is not the car's much improved new styling, as aggressive as it may be, but what’s underneath it. After seeing active duty in all prior Lancer Evolutions I through IX, as well as several Eclipse and Galant models, the venerable 4G63, has been retired. The new engine code to remember is 4B11, an intercooled, turbocharged all-aluminum DOHC MIVEC-equipped 4-cylinder that should produce at least 300 hp.

Mitsubishi claims final numbers haven’t been released yet, since they arestill tuning the 4B11. While that may be true I think they’re keeping mum to see what happens as the horsepower war continues to escalate. Horsepower aside, for the first time the production version of the Prototype will be equipped with a hydraulically controlled, dry clutch sequential gearbox that will feature magnesium paddle shifters so the driver can rip through shifts in a setup similar to Tommi Makinen’s old WRC car. Although a natural fit with a WRC homologated Evo, a traditional clutch pedal equipped manual will still be available, although curiously enough Mitsubishi claims it will be a 5-speed, not a 6-speed. Mitsubishi also claims that the automated 6-speed will be the better option for optimizing performance.

The Evo X will also see the debut of an all-new electronicall-wheel drive system that Mitsubishi calls Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC), with traditional all-wheel traction enhanced by Active Center Differential (ACD), an Active Yaw Control (AYC) rear differential, and Active Skid Control (ASC). Active Yaw Control has never been offered in the U.S. market on the Evo VIII or IX, mind you, so it's eagerly anticipated. Combine all of this with the new active steering and dynamic braking and the S-AWC will ensure that power, braking and handling get doled out in just the right amounts to each wheel. Mitsubishi claims that the S-AWC will “ensure the highest level of dynamic capability and stability ever”, but the “new technology will further enhance the exhilarating driving performance character that customers have come to expect” from anything badged Evolution. I think this means that the system will still allow the driver to slide the car around just as you should be able to in any car that is bred to rally. The hard bits of the suspension consist of front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link setup with forged aluminum arms and links.

One knock always leveled at the current Evo and usually countered with, “Yeah but the car’s really, really fast so who cares” should no longer be a complaint in the Evo X, as most agree that the new design, outside and in is nothing short of fabulous. When you have to live with a cheaply made, poorly conceived interior every day, even hardcore Evo fans can begin to regret their purchase decision, but I quickly sat inside the prototype while it was on the stage at Detroit and everything looked and felt much nicer than the current Evo. I doubt the suede covered dash will make it to production, however the Porsche Chrono-style dash-mounted lap counter had better. A lot of high technology options will also be offered inside, such as a hard drive based navigation system with an integrated music server, a 650-watt Rockford-Fosgate audio system, Bluetooth hands-free capability, and automatic climate control.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has always been a giant killer, devastatingly quick and controllable off the shelf and incredibly tunable if desired. An owner with a little money to spend can get it to make more than double the stock horsepower rating without touching the bottom end of the engine. I hope that the Evo X continues this tradition. But be it stock or modified, to truly utilize the Evo X you need to take it to the track. Let’s cross our fingers that the owners that do the responsible thing and visit their local racecourse instead of the less appealing alternative won’t have to deal with any of the nasty voided warranty business that plagued some Evo owners a few years ago when they competed in their Evos. All things said and done, the Evo X is poised to be the whole package. So yes, it’s going to be hard to wait a year to drive one, but that, of course, gives me time to start saving up.