Mitsubishi previews Evo X... yet again

Is this the most extended model preview in automotive history?

Mitsubishi showed us what the eagerly anticipated Lancer Evo X will look like via last year's Concept-Sportback and Concept-X design studies, and it recently released photos of the 'cooking' model Lancer that will debut at January's Detroit motor show.

Now comes this pair of sketches, which are an indication of how the Prototype X -- also slated for a Detroit reveal -- will shape up.

Mitsubishi says: "The Prototype-X concept car on show is an advance development model for the new Lancer Evolution due to be launched in the 2007 fiscal year."

Expect the production-ready Evo X to finally make its debut at next October's Tokyo motor show, but you'll have to wait until 2008 to take delivery of one in Oz.

Mitsubishi says the Prototype X embodies "fun to drive" qualities throughout, and has been styled  "to project a visibly higher performance image" than the garden-variety Lancer.

Going on the sketches, we're not arguing. Featuring a fat stance, NACA-style air intake in the bonnet, twin tailpipes and rear bumper diffuser, this thing looks mean. It's got way more 'don't mess factor' than the existing Evo IX.

Mitsubishi isn't giving away too much about mechanical spec, but its has confirmed the Evo X will feature the latest-generation S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) vehicle dynamics system, which is claimed to deliver "the ultimate in four-wheel drive traction and handling control".

The company has also confirmed what we've previously speculated, namely that the Evo X will feature an all-new aluminium-block turbo engine, mated to a six-speed gearbox. A conventional manual is a dead cert, but no word on whether a sequential transmission will also be offered.

Now we wait for the release of the official pics, which will probably surface in a week or two...