Project X

The wait is almost over. Detroit saw the unveiling of the new Mitsubishi Lancer and Project X - the new generation Evo. There's an all new Mitsubishi Lancer on the way and that should make you delirious even if you don't wear cardigans, have a comb-over and carry a line of ballpoints neatly clipped in your shirt pocket. The old Lancer has been around for so long that most people have forgotten what life was life when it was launched, but it's probable that KFC was still offering Moa drumsticks when you upsized! In fact, the Lancer had been around so long that when the Evolution IX was launched that the old Lancer was deemed to be not good enough for Mitsi's hand-held nuclear device, so they used the later model, (slightly) better looking, but bulkier, Cedia instead.

The new Lancer made its debut at the Detroit Motor Show and while the standard car is now in production, the next generation Evo is still some months away and was shown at Detroit as Project X. But there's no secret that this is the finalised shape of the next generation Evo.

Both the new Lancer and the new Evo are based on the versatile platform that was introduced last year underpinning the latest Outlander. It was only about 18 months ago that critics and supposed experts were predicting the end of Mitsubishi. The DaimlerChrysler lifeline was gone and then the 380 was too little too late to really be effective. But management looked inwards at Japanese banks, got fresh investment, cleaned up their act and the new Outlander has been a turning point.

The new Lancer is pretty much toe-to-toe with the old car in terms of size - the wheelbase is longer, but the overall length is just a smidgen shorter - but the styling is totally new and there is absolutely no carry-over design cues at all. This car has been a history in the coming but its shape was signalled well-ahead through concepts called the EVO X and CONCEPT X over the past three years.

There's a more muscular and crisper look to the car. The bonnet stands a little proud of the front mudguards, while the grille and its surrounds thrust forward, merging into the front bumper. There are hints of the Volvo S40 at work here.

In profile there's a pronounced arcing curve in the wedge shape (Honda Accord Euro?) while at the rear the tail lights are cut into the boot lid and placed at an angle that reminds us of - ah - the Alfa Romeo 159.

This is more than just a totally new and more characterful Lancer, it's actually a car with testosterone and cajones.

The standard Lancer comes with a 2.0 litre engine making 125 kW using cast-iron block technology. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard with a CVT as the auto option.

The upmarket GLS version, which comes along later, will have a 2.4 litre, four cylinder engine and 18 inch wheels adding to the striking appearance of the new car.

But here's the news you really want to know about, the Evo X.

As before, Evo X will look like a standard car that's been modified. That's a major part of the mystique of the Evo line. but where previous Lancer-based Evos have been strong on shock value because of the achingly dull standard car, Evo X is a little more restrained - there aren't quite so many scoops, bulges, wings, deep skirts and holes filled with wire mesh. Not quite as many but they are still there!
As with latest Audi grille cues, the Evo X grille extends down through the bumper like a beard and here you will find a mesh-filled grille which covers an oil cooler - an Evo tradition.

The mudguards are heavily flared and there is a huge wing on the boot lid.

You're not going to mistake it for anything else really.

Because it's based on the new Lancer, rather than the old Cedia, the new Evo will be smaller than the current car. It will have an all-new, all-alloy, turbocharged, intercooled 2.0 litre engine that is 20kg lighter than the old cast-iron block unit. But nobody is talking power yet. However, you can bet the family home on the fact it will have enough power to endow the Evo X with the sort of explosive performance that has become an Evo trademark. There will also be more than enough torque.

Mitsubishi say there are some aspects of this new engine that are over-engineered and the reciprocating assembly is capable of withstanding high levels of boost. What that means is that it will be a straight forward job to double power and torque figures in safety.

Any Evo is blisteringly quick as a point to point car, helped by having a sensibly restrained, geared-down maximum speed of not much over 180km/h. This means an Evo is extraordinary fun and using full power to find genuine holes in the traffic that only you and a Formula One car can use is what Evo driving is about.

To be honest, factory quoted power and torque figures are really meaningless and probably a bit of fiction to disguise that fact previous Evos have well and truly broken the Japanese "gentleman's" agreement covering such matters.

The Evo X will also get a totally new transmission. It will be similar to the VW SMG unit in offering a six speed, clutchless, automated manual gearbox. There will be magnesium paddles for those who want to shift "manually".

That's not the end of "new" for the Evo though. The best part is that there will also be a totally new four wheel drive system based on that introduced in the Outlander last year. It will be fitted with an Active Centre Differential with Active Yaw Control, Active Skid Control with a highly intelligent Super All Wheel Control - ACD, AYC, ASC and S-AWC! Combine this alphabet soup with stability control and you've got the base of a car that is going to make you dizzy trying to unstick it!

The new car will be light too.

Underneath there will be forged aluminium suspension arms and Mitsubishi says because the new platform is so totally rigid, they've been able to tune the suspension to offer a limousine-style ride with outstanding (outrageous) levels of grip and stickability.

There will also be massive vented discs and Brembo callipers.

Project X, the "concept" car uses 255/30R tyres on 20 inch rims. These monsters may also be available on the production car.

All previous Evos have had interiors that are so dull they make George Bush look like a peacock. The interior of Project X is striking as befits a "concept" car. Mitsubishi are promising the production car will reflect the overall design of the Project X interior.

Evos have always been sensational performing cars with a strong cult-like following. The new car promises to build on these traditional qualities and add a lot more sophistication.
Frankly, we can't wait.

Mitsubishi aren't talking any time frame except to say "shortly".

Another major announcement at Detroit was that Mitsubishi are in the final stages of developing a range of high-performance diesel engines. That's good news as Japanese diesel technology has tended to bed overshadowed by the Europeans.

Looks like Mitsubishi are back in business.

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