Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today unveils the European market version of the Outlander on-road SUV and shows the Prototype-X concept for a next-generation high-performance 4WD sedan at the 2007 Geneva International Motor Show. The company is displaying a total of 10 exhibits (16 during the general public session) at the show which runs from March 6 through 18 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex, opening to the general public on March 8.


For the European market, the Outlander lineup starts with a 2.0-liter turbo-charged diesel engine. Other changes introduced for the European market include a new front grille with the 3-diamond logo mounted on a Mt Fuji-motif plinth that provides a central element of the Mitsubishi brand design identity in the European market, as well as Euro-specific chassis tuning.


Speaking at the MMC press conference at 10:30 am local time today, Mitsubishi Motors' president Osamu Masuko made the following remarks. "Mitsubishi Motors has performed successfully in the European market while increasing sales volume and being profitable since fiscal 2003. And in the first nine months of the current fiscal year the company sold 206,000 vehicles, which represents an increase of 5% over the same period last year and made a significant contribution to the company's return to the black for the period October through December last year. We are confident that the new Outlander on-road SUV unveiled here today together with the later introduction in fiscal 2007 of a new Lancer sports sedan and the new Lancer Evolution — the production version of the Prototype-X concept — will boost the strength of our product lineup and see us maintaining sales volume."


Outlander European market product features:


  •      The European market Outlander is an on-road SUV that raises the bar on fun-to-drive and fun-to-use. A new-age global platform, which is stiffer, a sharp chassis and an electronically-controlled 4WD system contribute to feel-good response and faithful and predictable handling. Features enhancing Outlander's comfort and utility, meanwhile, include the split tailgate and auto-folding function for the second row seats and Hide&Seat" retractable third row. Following its October 2005 launch in Japan and 2006 launch in North America and China, the European introduction at the Geneva Motor Show sees Outlander on sale in all the world's major auto markets.
  •     * To meet local market needs the European Outlander will be offered with a choice of three engines : 2.0-liter turbo-diesel will be joined by a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel and a 2.4-liter MIVEC  petrol. The latter is fitted to the Japanese market model. A Euro-4 version of the 3.0-liter MIVEC V6 petrol unit that powers some U.S., Russian, Ukrainian and Chinese market models is also under study for Europe.
  •     The European Outlander features a number of styling changes, including the use of a new front grille that locates the 3-diamond logo mounted on a Mt Fuji-motif plinth, a central element in the brand design identity for Mitsubishi models sold in Europe.
  •  MIVEC :      Mitsubishi Innovative Valve lift and timing Electronic Control. Mitsubishi Motors' own variable valve lift (VVL) system.


Prototype-X product features


Shown at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2007, Prototype-X is a design study for the new Lancer Evolution due to be launched during the 2007 fiscal year. Derived from the all-new Lancer sports sedan due to be launched in America in March this year, Prototype-X features a firmly functional design crafted to produce a handsome and purposeful appearance. The exterior styling forcefully projects the car's ruggedly athletic performance qualities while the strongly function-oriented design and high-quality materials used in the interior encourage the driver to concentrate on operating his machine.

  

Prototype-X is loaded with the very latest in MMC automotive engineering technology. Mechanical features include: Mitsubishi's S-AWC*2 vehicle dynamics system built around a 4WD driveline; a new aluminum block MIVEC turbocharged engine mated to a high-performance six-speed automated manual transmission; and the use of aluminum in some body panels to reduce body weight.