Mitsubishi Evo hot hatch revealed

The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback’s power will be provided by a 2-litre turbo engine producing 237bhp and a whopping 253lb/ft of pulling power

The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback uses the tenth generation Evolution saloon’s chassis, but replaces its practical body with a more exotic skin.

Its sports car, coupe shape has sharp lines and an aggressive stance with its wheels pushed right out to its corners.

But it still has five doors, a convenient hatchback boot and flexible rear seating – so it should have day to day practicality.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback’s power will be provided by a 2-litre turbo engine producing 237bhp and a whopping 253lb/ft of pulling power.

Using its advanced four-wheel-drive to send power to the wheels which need it the most, it should sprint from 0-60mph in around six seconds and on to a top speed of more than 150mph.

Mitsubishi believe the Lancer Sportback will be a big hit here in Britain, and across Europe as a whole.

It predicts 70 per cent of all Lancer models sold in the UK will be the Sportback, thanks to our love of hot hatches.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback was first seen as the Concept-Sportback show car at the 2005 Frankfurt motor show.

The latest details have been released ahead of its appearance at the 2008 Geneva motor show in March.

The new show car is called Prototype-S, and features bright orange metallic paint, rakish looks based around the nose of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, twin rear tailpipes and a sporty rear spoiler.

We’ll be reporting live from Geneva on March 4th, so don’t forget to come back for all the big news.

Click here for more pictures of the Lancer Sportback Prototype-S Concept