Friday, December 10, 2010

Proton Jebat concept based on Mitsubishi Lancer Evo



Proton has revealed this Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X-inspired sports saloon concept at the Kuala Lumpur motor show in Malaysia. The recently launched Proton Inspira is a re-badged version of the Mitsubishi Lancer four-door saloon with lightly modified front-end styling, and this Jebat concept version by Proton Design borrows its styling from the Evo X.

Powering the Jebat concept is a 237bhp, 253lb ft 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine petrol engine, although Proton hasn't said whether the car uses the Evo's all-wheel drive system. It can get from 0-62mph in 5.6sec and reach a top speed of 144mph. Evo-inspired styling changes over the standard Inspira include a matte black finish at the front and rear, LED daytime running lights, 18-inch alloys, flared wheel arches, a new rear spoiler, bonnet louvres and a narrow rear diffuser. Inside, the concept gets Recaro sports seats with red stitching and a new in-car entertainment system. Proton hasn't said whether it intends to put the sports saloon concept into production.


It is just a concept at this stage but it’s sure to kick up some fuss in the car’s local market because it still features a turbocharged engine, like it’s bigger brother, the Evolution. Only the engine isn’t quite as potent as Mitsubishi’s offering. The Jebat features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder – also seen in our Mitsubishi Ralliart Lancer – offering 177kW of power and 343Nm of torque, so it would still be a bit of a cracker. Something distinct to the Proton version though is the bodykit and two-tone colour scheme. It almost looks like it comes from one of those European tuning factories, complete with matte black details incorporated into the front bar and along the doors. The rear bumper bar is also much chunkier than the Mitsubishi, and also features matte black highlighting.

Inside the car is also treated to Evo-esque features such as Recaro front seats with red stitching and a touch-screen in-car entertainment screen. Unlike the Evolution Lancer though, the Jebat gets some pretty ordinary tyre-shop special 18 inch chrome alloy wheels. It’s unknown if the Proton Jebat Concept will actually go into production at this stage. It could be a great marketing plan for the company though as its local market would surely swallow it up, whole.

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