Ahead of its global unveiling on 4th March at the Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi now reveals official images of the Prototype-S or in other words, the pre-production version of the Lancer Sportback (5door hatchback) that's expected to go on sale in Europe this summer.

More importantly, the Prototype-S previews the Lancer Sportback Ralliart that like its American cousin, is equipped with a de-tuned version of the EVO X’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, developing a maximum output of 240 PS and 35 kgm of torque. The power unit is combined with the EVO X’s Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission and full-time 4WD driveline with an Active Center Differential (ACD).

The Lancer Sportback Ralliart will compete head on with the Subaru Impreza WRX when it start’s its European career later this year. As for the rest of the Sportback range, Mitsubishi believes that this 5-door hatchback variant of the new Lancer family will be the most important of all in Europe, representing for example, a whopping 80% of the forecasted Lancer volume in the UK. –High-re image gallery after the jump

Prototype-S specification

• Length (mm)-4,585
• Width (mm)-1,760
• Height (mm)-1,480
• Wheelbase (mm)-2,635
• F/R track (mm)-1,530/1,530
• Occupants-5
• Engine-2L MIVEC 4-cylinder DOHC with intercooler/turbocharger
• Max. output-177 kW (240ps)
• Max. toque-343 Nm (35kgm)
• Driveline-Full-time 4WD (with ACD)
• Transmission-Twin Clutch SST
• Tires-215/45R19