As a real-world test laboratory, Motor Sports birthed some enduring Mitsubishi legends such as the Pajero / Shogun, Lancer and Lancer Evolution. Supporting production car technological realities has been at the heart of Mitsubishi’s ethos, including the recently introduced “Project Global” Lancer Family of Sports Saloon, Sportback, Ralliart and Evolution X.
Motor Sports has also extended the reach of Mitsubishi’s Okazaki R&D Center in areas ranging from 4-Wheel Drive technology to turbo-charging, all applied to its regular production cars and SUVs, from Lancer to Pajero.
A New Era
Now, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced a new era of Motor Sports design and engineering with its next-generation racer, the all-new crossover “Racing Lancer”.
With this car, MMC has added a new dimension to its racing activities, blending 35 years of Lancer prowess with 25 years of Pajero epics.
The end result is a cross over between on-road and off-road rallying as well as applying to passenger cars and SUVs. The Racing Lancer will reach a wider marketing audience than any of its predecessors while re-launching Lancer’s racing career.
Sportback Silhouette
Sporting a silhouette inspired by the recently previewed Lancer Sportback 5-door hatch, Racing Lancer will support Mitsubishi’s offensive in the passenger car sector, much like the Pajero Evolution in parallel to the production Shogun in 2006.
Clean Diesel Power
Our sporting heritage and green designs will come together at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show1, where Mitsubishi will launch its framework for its mid-term passenger car strategy for Europe, under the banner of “One segment, One Green Solution”.
The Racing Lancer will become MMC’s key ambassador for diesel technologies. Mitsubishi’s long recognized expertise in engine development as a pioneer in clean emissions, balancing shafts, turbo-charging, and direct injection since the 1970s has again been mobilized to create a diesel engineering center of excellence within the Company covering a wide range of diesel powertrains.
From the all-new 4N13 Euro V 4-cylinder engine to be launched in 2009 to Racing Lancer’s 3.0 liter turbo-charged V6 diesel race engine, all will share the same fundamental know-how and the same essential low fuel consumption and low emissions ‘green benefits’ of Mitsubishi’s diesel technology. The engine is currently finalising development on qualifying rounds of the 2008 Dakar Series and the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup.
The MRX09
MRX09 is Mitsubishi’s new codename for its latest cross-country rally challenger. ‘MRX09' stands for ‘Mitsubishi Rally ‘Cross Country’ (’X'), plus a suffix for the year in which it competes (’09' = 2009).
The MRX09 features a new, multi-tubular steel frame which has benefited from advanced Computer Aided Engineering analysis with a view to optimizing the layout and dimensioning of the tubing.
The carbon-fibre bodywork of the MRX09 is redolent of the Lancer Sportback, and will come equipped with the same 4WD system, drive train, suspension and brakes - following their modification in accordance with the new technical regulations and as a function of the characteristics of the diesel turbo powerplant.
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