A thinly-veiled look at the fourth- generation Eclipse, due in the US as a 2006 model, the two-plus-two-seater Concept-E is designed to show that the Lancer Evo isn't the only kind of performance car that Mitsubishi can do. Designed in the company's Los Angeles studios, the coupe concept has mould-breaking looks and plenty of attitude.

Many will see it as Mitsubishi's answer to the Nissan 350Z and Audi TT. It's about the same size, at 170in long, and fits into much the same part of the sports-coupe market. Stylistically, it's also somewhere in the Nissan-Audi ballpark.

Traditionally, the Eclipse has always been front-drive, but the Concept-E has been built around a sophisticated hybrid four-wheel-drive system based on front and rear engines. A 3.8-litre V6, complete with variable valve timing and lift, is supplemented by an 'E-Boost' electric motor. Mitsubishi admits, however, that such a system is a long way off being installed in a production car. If a car similar to the Concept-E were to go into production, it would probably be powered by a conventional four-cylinder petrol engine to help keep the price down.

The exterior detailing on the car is certainly spectacular. The Concept-E gets plasma head and tail lights and something wonderfully exotic called 'neon crackle tube' indicator and brake lights. It rides on nine-spoke, 20-inch wheels fitted with wide, ultra-low-profile tyres. There are Brembo discs and neat, racing-style side exhausts.The glass roof probably wouldn't make it into production, though.

The interior is almost as dramatic as the outer skin, with what Mitsubishi calls a 'wave design' facia and a set of expensive-looking 'metalised' leather sports seats. Company bosses will await reaction to the coupe concept with keen interest. For Mitsubishi, still facing a hard and uncertain road in the US, the Concept-E could be just the image-builder it needs.