Original name: 三菱 SST

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil its new MITSUBISHI SST concept car in its world debut at the North American International Auto Show to be held at the Cobo Center in Detroit from January 5 through January 18 (open to the general public from January 10). This marks the first time the company has exhibited a concept vehicle at an auto show in the United States.

Giving a peek at the direction a Mitsubishi Motors' sporty model is expected to take in the near future, the MITSUBISHI SST has been designed by and fabricated at Mitsubishi Motors R&D of America, Inc. (MRDA). "Geo Mechanical" is the key styling theme, and is given expression in the concept model's muscular body sections, its solid, road-hugging shape and its mechanical aesthetics.

The exterior design combines a substantial surface composition with a compact cabin. Styling elements include large headlight units that house low-beam, high-beam and fog lights at the front, stretched combination light units at the rear and a daring slit along the sides. These elements impart an aggressive flavor that befits a new-age sporty model. The interior features an uncluttered and driver-oriented design.

The MITSUBISHI SST realizes exhilarating performance thanks to a 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC intercooler-turbocharged engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with Sports Mode manual override feature, and to a multi-link suspension supporting wheels shod with 245 / 40R20 tires.

Mitsubishi Motors currently sells some 200,000 vehicles a year through Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA). These include the ECLIPSE and GALANT built at Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc. (MMMA), and the MIRAGE, MONTERO SPORT (CHALLENGER in Japan) and 3000GT (GTO in Japan) exported from Japan. The ECLIPSE and GTO are strategic models that have captured significant market share in their respective categories.

The MITSUBISHI SST is a study for a sporty model that Mitsubishi Motors is developing in order to maintain and build on the popularity of the current ECLIPSE and GTO models.

MITSUBISHI SST Profile

Body dimensions (L x W x H)

4450 mm x 1860 mm x 1236 mm

Wheelbase

2560 mm

Track (F/R)

1585 mm / 1575 mm

Vehicle weight

1134 kg

Engine

2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC with intercooler-turbocharger

Max. output / Max. torque

210 hp / 215 lbs-ft

Transmission

4-speed automatic with Sports Mode

Layout

Front engine, front drive

Body construction

Graphite panels on steel frame

Wheels

Enkei 20" x 8.5"

Tires

Michelin 245 / 40R20

Suspension

Multi-link all-round

Steering

Rack & Pinion (with power assist)

SOURCE: Mitsubishi. Please mention www.allcarindex.com if you use this text.