Proton Shows Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X Lookalike Concept of Inspira with 240HP Turbo Engine

The 2010 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show at the Putra World Trade Centre in Malaysia saw local automaker and owner of Lotus, Proton, revealing a host of concept models including a sport prototype of the recently launched Inspira called the Jebat. Needless to say, it's clearly inspired from the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X.

As you may remember, the Inspira is a rebadged Mitsubishi Lancer sedan and is the result of an OEM collaboration between the Malaysian automaker and Mitsubishi Japan. However, we're not so sure if Mitsubishi had this in mind when it was signing the agreement with Proton.

In any case, the Jebat study, which could very well lead to a similar production model, features a wide body kit with blistered wheel arches and splashes of matte black paint all around the car. Power is provided by a turbocharged 4-cylinder MiVEC engine producing 237HP (177kW) at 6,000 rpm and 343Nm of peak torque at 3,000 rpm.

No word if the pseudo-EVO (that does have a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) comes with the real EVOs four-wheel drive system, but Proton has announced that the Jebat completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5.6 seconds and tops out at 232 km/h or 144 mph.

Via: Proton and CBT

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Xenatec Shows Off its "Dream Cars": Bentley SUV, BMW 6-Series Sedan and More

Now that their limited production Maybach 57S Coupe (see here) has made the rounds, here are some of the other proposals from Xenatec. Since the company's specialty is chassis modification (and the necessary body work thereafter), they've got some ideas for a lengthened (and shortened) "dream cars".

Have a look at the gallery below and see what tickles your fancy. The SUV limos are a bit much, but the rag-top conversions don't look too bad (especially the CLS and 300).

Other winners include the standard limo conversions (like the Flying Spur and 300C), while big-time no-no's include that ridiculous 7-Series with the bubble top and the extended R8 and Carrera.

For those of you who thought the Porsche TranSport pickup was interesting, have a look at what Xenatec would do with the Cayenne to create a sport truck. Still want a Porsche truck?

By Phil Alex

Photos: Xenatecgroup

Mitsubishi Small Crossover: Official Designs Show the Less Exciting Nature of the Production Model

Remember how promising Mitsubishi's all-new small crossover looked in the teaser sketch that was released back in October? Well, if these official designs are of any indication, then the reality is that the as-yet unnamed crossover won't be as near as exciting as Mitsubishi wanted us to believe. On the other hand, the production model does retain most of the styling cues featured on the 2007 Mitsubishi cX concept, on which it is based, with most changes concerning the rear end of the car that appears to have grown in length.

Leaving the styling aside, Mitsubishi's baby crossover uses the Japanese firm's mid-size global platform, which also forms the basis the Lancer and Outlander. However, the new model will be smaller than the Outlander and will compete, at least in Europe, against Nissan's forthcoming Quazana crossover.

Power will come from four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines including Mitsubishi's new 1.8-liter turbocharged that made 136 horsepower and 280 Nm of peak torque in the 2007 cX concept.

The new crossover is scheduled to go on sale in Japan next February, and in Europe and other markets, in the summer of 2010.

Mitsubishi Teases Baby Crossover Model, Sales Start from February 2010

This is an official sketch of Mitsubishi's new compact crossover model that will go on sale first in Japan in February 2010 with Europe and other markets following in the summer of the same year. It is derived from the Concept-cX show car that was revealed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany and it is based on Mitsubishi's mid-size global platform that also underpins the Outlander and Lancer models.

The concept measured 4.1m (161.4-in.) in length, 1.75m in width and 1.55m in height with a 2.52m long wheelbase, but the production model is believed to slightly grow in size.

The small crossover model, which will compete head on with Nissan's forthcoming production version of the Qazana, will be the firm's first model to receive Mitsubishi's new 1.8-liter diesel engine with a variable geometry (VG) turbocharger that delivered 136 horsepower and 280 Nm of peak torque in the concept. It will most likely be offered in two- and four-wheel drive variants.

The European premiere of the model will take place at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next March. It remains to be seen if the small crossover will also make its way across the Atlantic.

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2007 Mitsubishi Concept cX