Here in the good ol' U.S. of A., police cars are usually the largest vehicles available, with full frames and big V8 engines. It seems that something smaller and more economical will do for London's Metropolitan Police. According to their tests, the newest Lancer with the 2.0 liter DI-D diesel engine would perform admirably for police duty, earning a "Class 1 Pass for performance, brake pad wear, handling and localised component durability," according to the report.

While we recognize that American roads are quite different from those in the U.K., we also believe that a more modern vehicle could serve our police just as well as their standard-fare Crown Vic. It's worked out pretty well for taxi drivers so far.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

On center stage at TalkRadio 790 KABC's Third Annual Clean Air Showcase is the new '08 Lancer and '07 Outlander. The reason? Instead of just throwing some regular models for the masses while they develop full hybrid or alternative fuel versions, Mitsubishi has taken a stopgap measure by greening their current technology. The 2.0L four-clynder in the new Lancer and the V6 in the Outlander both have received a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) rating. Efforts to make this happen include complex catalyst systems, and evaporative emissions systems that address vapors from things like batteries, plastics and the fuel system.

The event will be held on Saturday, June 9 (tomorrow) in Santa Monica, California at the Third Street Promenade. Entrance is free, and people will be able to get in and even test drive vehicles of their choice. Mitsubishi hopes that by trying as hard as they are, they can convince the public that you don't have to sacrifice performance and driving pleasure to be green to the environment. That's true, but only 143 hp in the Lancer? And 213 for the Outlander SUV? Who's definition of performance are we going by?

[Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America]

We're going to be waiting about five years for the $30,000 Tesla sedan; maybe a little less for the Chevy Volt, but Mitsubishi thinks in 2010 people will be clamoring for their clean turbo diesel. Maybe they're right. The diesel announcement is sort of buried under Mitsubishi's headline 2008 Lancer Sports Sedan and Prototype X debuts, but this is what we feed on at AutoblogGreen, so we caught it.

Starting later this year (sometime in the fourth quarter), Mitsubishi will sell the Lancer sports sedan with the VAG-supplied 140 ps – 2.0 l Pump Jet Diesel in Europe. This will be upgraded to a "new powerful turbo-diesel variant" that will be available on both sides of the pond in, well, 2010.

This next-generation turbo will be based on the Euro-5 diesel engine that Mitsubishi is currently developing with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd for European export models. It has a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and NOx trap catalyst system, and will be compliant with U.S. Tier II Bin 5 emissions. You can read all that Mitsubishi has revealed about this engine after the jump and, since the announcement came with the Prototype X concept new, we're throwing in pictures of that car as well.

Click on the images above or below to see the high-resolution (1,280 pixel wide) image gallery of the Prototype X. The images are downloadable for your personal use.

Related:

• Detroit Auto Show: Mitsubishi will build small diesel by 2010
• Mitsubishi shows the new Lancer ahead of the Detroit Auto Show
• Mitsubishi abandons in-wheel motors for electric car, still no plans to bring it to the U.S.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

The Detroit Auto Show doesn't open to the public for another month, but Mitsubishi released the first official photo today of the new 2008 Lancer. The styling looks very much like a slightly toned down version of the 2005 Concept-X that's been on the auto show circuit for the past year. The proportions of the new Lancer definitely look better balanced than the base versions of the previous model which always seemed a bit top heavy and under-tired. The bulging fenders of the previous generation EVO addressed much of that, but even the version shown of the new car is attractive.

The new Lancer is, as usual larger than it's predecessor, with a wheel base and body about 1.5 inches longer, and a width increased by 2.5 inches. The power-train consists of a new 2.0L low emission four cylinder engine with variable valve timing. The engine is connected to a 6 speed CVT that will have steering wheel mounted paddle shifters on some models. The press release and a photo of the Concept-X are after the jump.

[Source: Mitsubishi]