Mitsubishi Concept-RA: Redesigned Automoblie
Motoring Channel Staff - 15/January/2007
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Mitsubishi Concept-RA
Powered by a turbo diesel engine, the AWD
Mitsubishi Concept-RA hints at things to come
Vertically opening doors give the Concept-RA
an exotic air, while the interior is very futuristic
Mitsubishi Takes ChargeFor a large part of
this decade, the Mitsubishi brand has been operating under a dark
cloud. But the dark days appear to be behind the company as vehicles
like the new Lancer, Outlander, and Colt restore confidence. With
the Evolution X already making waves in Japan, the company is now
looking to expand it's range once again and the advent of the
Concept-RA tells us that Mitsubishi is thinking 'serious sports car'
which could be very exciting. If the Evolution X is possible using
a mundane small car as a base, we can only imagine what a dedicated
sports car design could achieve.
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Feann Torr, Editor
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The front-engined Mitsubishi Concept-RA
is powered by a 150kW 2.2-litre diesel mill
This new concept car from Mitsubishi is rumoured
to be a blueprint for the next generation Eclipse
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Detroit, America — We've been wondering what the "RA" part of Mitsubishi's new Concept-RA stands for, and we're guessing 'radical acceleration'. Powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine with the latest in turbocharger technology (variable
vane geometry), you may be thinking that only commercial vans and 4WDs
should use diesel power, but if this vehicle is light - and it will be
- and it features AWD - which it does - then the 150kW engine could be
deliver 6.0 second zero to 100km/h acceleration times. Now that Mitsubishi has developed the next generation of its performance 4x4 system, S-AWC, for the new Evolution X and
has added a dual-clutch gearbox to the 4-cylinder street fighter, the
Japanese company has seen new opportunities to utilise this high-tech
tools. The new Concept-RA is one such example. It made its debut at the 2008 North American International Motor Show
(NAIAS) in Detroit and it uses all the best bits from the Evo X, but
has a far more exotic body shape. It shows off a wide
and low stance and boasts a number of aerodynamic features, including a
retractable rear wing, a rear diffuser and wind tunnel inspired body
work which all suggest that the concept car will be capable of
reaching speeds well in excess of 200km/h. If
the
public and media react positively to the new vehicle over the next few
weeks, we could even see the Concept-RA in Mitsubishi dealerships
a few years down the track. Word
on the street is that the new concept is the basis for the next
generation Mitsubishi Eclipse, a 2-door sports car primarily sold in
the U.S. With
companies like Nissan, Hyundai, and Honda all developing highly
desirable sports cars in the next couple of years, the market for
affordable super cars is expected to grow very quickly, and this concept suggests that
Mitsubishi is well aware of this trend. According to
Mitsubishi the Concept-RA "fuses a passion for dynamic, exciting
driving with a heightened sensitivity for the environment thanks to
clean, efficient high performance diesel power." The
'clean' diesel engine is 2.2-litre 4-cylinder lump, outputting 150kW of
power or 204hp (metric). It features continuously variable valve
lift and timing control, piezoelectric injector common-rail direct
fuel injection, and a variable diffuser/variable geometry
turbocharger. Maximum torque is 420Nm, which is 10Nm shy of the Audi R8 super car's V8 engine. The
performance diesel engine's 150kW of power hits all four wheels through
the S-AWC vehicle dynamics control system and the Twin Clutch SST
automated manual transmission used in Lancer Evolution allows for easy
paddle shifting through the gears. Mitsubishi has
confirmed the Concept-RA's S-AWC driveline includes Active Steering and
Active Suspension control in addition to the Evolution X regulars such
as ACD, AYC, Sport ABS and ASC. Combined, these systems give the
Evolution X and by extension the new Concept-RA unparalleled grip
and acceleration. In Mitsubishi's words, "All this adds
up to intuitive, on-demand vehicle behavior that faithfully reflects
driver intent under all driving conditions, from everyday use to
emergency avoidance situations." The
Mitsubishi Concept-RA's kerb weight will be kept low due to the use of
an aluminium space frame. Many of its body panels, including the hood,
fenders, and 'outer panels' are made from recyclable plastic
resin, which is super light. Related
Articles:
- Mitsubishi Evolution X (2008)
- Mitsubishi Lancer (Road Test)
- Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback (2009)
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI (Road Test)
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII (Road Test)
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX (Road Test)
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X (2008)
- Mitsubishi Outlander (Road Test)
- Mitsubishi Prototype X Concept (2008)
- Suzuki Swift Sport vs. Mitsubishi Ralliart Colt (Road Test)
- Mitsubishi 380 VRX (Road Test)
- Mitsubishi Ralliart Colt (Road Test)
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