With much anticipation of the newest Lancer Evolution, the world debut of the production Evo X was a surprising low-key event. The latest generation of the legendary Evo series is not shy-looking with its aggressive “face,” multiple hood-mounted air scoops, side vents, extravagantly flared fenders and large rear spoiler.

The new 2.0-liter powerplant has low-weight aluminum block, twin-scroll turbocharger. There’s a fast-shifting, highly efficient twin-clutch transmission. Compared to the outgoing model, the center of gravity is lower, power is up and ride quality is better too. It certainly looks the part.

Aside from the Evo, Mitsubishi’s themes for this year’s Tokyo show are driving pleasure, environmental responsibility and safety. In classic, socially responsible, Japanese fashion, the aim is to benefit not only car owners, but also the wider community.

Looking like a car that might soon be going into production is the Concept ZT (think Galant). Even the wheels are close to normal car size, not the monsters usually fitted to show cars. With its clean smooth lines, high beltline and neat finish, the exterior of this car looks finished. And it’s finished very well — it has the detailing, presence and elegance of a premium product.

Under the hood is a 2.2-liter “clean diesel” engine that is said to offer “the acceleration of a 4.0-liter petrol (gas) engine and the economy of a 1.6-liter.” The engine uses lower compression ratios, meaning it can be made of lighter materials, combined with ultra-high pressure direct injection to burn fuel cleanly. Transmission is a dual-clutch “SST” gearbox feeding an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system.

Safety features include a pop-up hood that improves safety for pedestrians, a lane-drift warning system, body construction using aluminum space-frame joints for added strength and a pre-collision detection system that pre-tensions seatbelts and applies emergency braking when a collision is imminent.

Concept-cX and Concept iMIEV Sport

The Concept-cX is halfway between small hatchback and small SUV — a so-called Sports Activity Vehicle, or “soft-roader.” At the nose is the trapezoidal grille treatment familiar from the latest Lancer that will become Mitsubishi’s corporate look. The cabin features a central large elliptical LCD unit for navigation and auxiliary controls, with a joy-stick style gear level mounted in the front bench seat. At the rear is an unusual two-piece T-shaped tailgate.

The most radical concept is the Concept i-MIEV Sport. An on-sale date of 2010 was mentioned, but that sounds optimistic. It’s based on Mitsubishi’s MIEV (Mitsubishi Electric Vehicle) experimental all-electric minicar, which has been in use in Japan for development purposes since last year. A second version is about to be released. Even Mitsubishi’s president, Osamu Musako, uses one to get about in Tokyo.

The i-MIEV Sport is a vision of how that technology might be rebodied for use in a micro-car size package (think Ka, Twingo, Fiat 500), where its electric motors will offer stunning acceleration and zero emissions while the low center of gravity (most of the weighty mechanicals are below the floor) offers stability and good handling. Mitsubishi is even working on a microwave-based wireless changing system. Let’s hope it doesn’t cook the garage mice.