Mitsubishi Proto X sketch

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

18 December 2006 09:11

Another Evo concept? Haven’t we been here before?

The countdown to Mitsubishi’s oddball super-saloon, the Evo X, continues. We’ve already seen two concept cars of this four-wheel drive rally special – and now there’s a third, previewed in a pair of teaser sketches said to reveal ‘95%’ of the real thing. The Prototype X will be the company’s star at the Detroit Motor Show in January. You can expect the tenth iteration of the Evo to look pretty butch: a deep front spoiler, bonnet scoops, a race-spec rear diffuser and chunky wing show that this is no regular Lancer saloon.

Mitsubishi hasn’t released any details of what’s under the Evo’s bonnet yet, but sources talk of a new version of the 2.0-litre turbo that has served the previous generations. Expect a power output of at least 280bhp and a development of the computer-controlled four-wheel drive system for peerless traction no matter what the road conditions. The Evo X will be shown next autumn, with UK sales starting at the beginning of 2008 at around £30,000. Buyers on a budget will be offered an Evo-lite version of the Lancer, badged Ralliart and powered by a 180bhp turbo engine. An Evo for every pocket.

By Tim Pollard