Mitsubishi's Line-up at the 08 Geneva Motor Show

THE COLOUR ORANGE
Mitsubishi Motors at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show

What’s in a colour? Well for Mitsubishi at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the colour will be orange, embodying the lively, warm, enthusiastic, creative, energetic, successful, and stimulating character that is Mitsubishi Motors in 2008.

Right-brained (emotional responses) and different (standing out from the crowd), MMC embodies these traits through an all-new range of cars, each of them supported by an iconic figure on a mission:
# Lancer Evolution:
… our sporting spirit
# “i”:
… our green (orange..?) vision
# Shogun:
… our “go-your-own-way” 4-Wheel Drive expertise

Indeed, at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, each of Mitsubishi’s premieres and key displays will broadcast the same very orange messages:

Lancer Prototype-S:
Just as Concept-X (2005 Tokyo) and then Prototype-X (2007 Detroit) announced the new Lancer and Lancer Evolution X (ten), Prototype-S will follow in the footsteps of the much-acclaimed Concept-Sportback show car (2005 Frankfurt) to preview the shape of the forthcoming Lancer Sportback.

When launched later in the year, this 5-door hatchback variant of the new Lancer family will be the most important of all in Europe, representing 70% of the forecasted Lancer volume in the overall region and 80% in the UK. Sporting a powerful metallic orange - similar to the one selected for Lancer Ralliart at the Detroit Auto Show a few weeks ago - Prototype-S will add the convenience of a lift-gate and flexible rear seating to the driving dynamics of the new Lancer range. It will hit the same unconventional buttons as Lancer Sports Sedan, albeit in a hatchback format, benchmarking the likes of Alfa Romeo with the 156 / 159 Sportwagons (dynamic benchmark) and of Saab with the legendary Saab 900 Turbo Combi-Coupé (aspirational benchmark).

Mirroring this aspiration: a sporty wedge-like profile, sharply chiselled lines, assertive stance born from a long wheelbase and wide track proportions, a high-shouldered rear end and the very expressive rear roof spoiler will embody Mitsubishi’s vision for a flexible sports sedan in the C/D sector, away from the traditional hatchbacks.

Fittingly, Prototype-S will blend elements from Concept-Sportback (the overall concept), Lancer Evolution X (the execution) and Lancer Ralliart (240ps / 343 Nm 2.0 litre turbo engine, Twin Clutch SST gearbox, full-time 4WD drivetrain featuring Mitsubishi Motors’ Active Center Differential), as well as proposing a further evolution of Mitsubishi Motors’ Jet Fighter grille.

i- EV
Livelier and more indicative of a healthier future for mankind than the cold tones of green and blue usually connected with environmental communication, orange would suit Mitsubishi’s bright developments in that direction very well indeed…

Spearheading these efforts, the electric-powered “i-EV” city car will also be displayed in Geneva as an indication of Mitsubishi’s commitment to innovative environment-friendly solutions.

Pajero Evolution
Cancellation of the 2008 Dakar notwithstanding, Pajero Evolution will once again play the guest star, bringing warm and exotic memories from Pajero’s 12 victories: a tribute to Pajero’s abilities and to Mitsubishi’s rugged quality and expertise in 4-Wheel Drive technology.