First look: Paris unveil for Mitsubishi racer

THE Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) motorsport division will use September’s Paris motor show to reveal its next-generation racing car.

Codenamed MRX09 (Mitsubishi Rally ‘Cross-country’ 2009), the vehicle is based on the (CJ) Lancer Sportback that was recently previewed, employing modified versions of its four-wheel drive system, drivetrain, suspension and brakes.

However, the racing Lancer boasts it own carbon-fibre bodywork, and uses a new, computer-aided engineered multi-tubular steel frame that allows for an optimised mechanical layout.

Officially, this car is a Super Production Cross-Country Rally car that complies with the FIA’s Group T1 regulations (modified cross-country rally cars), as well as a new set of rules earmarked from 2010.

Nevertheless, it will be used to support MMC’s passenger car “offensive” in much the same way that the 2006 Pajero Evolution racer did for its parent SUV.

Of even more interest is MMC’s adoption of diesel power – a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel that promises to major in minimising fuel consumption and emissions thanks to the company’s four-decade experience in cleaner engine technology, turbocharging and direct injection.

Exact outputs are still a secret, but MMC has revealed that power and torque ratings exceed 190kW and 650Nm respectively.

This V6 diesel is under a final development phase in qualifying rounds of the 2008 Dakar Series and the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup.

MMC says that going diesel is in line with its new “One Segment, One Green Solution” campaign to be rolled out at the Paris show as part of its mid-term passenger car strategy for Europe.

An all-new V4 – dubbed the 4N13 series – is also coming, and it too will follow the more environmentally aware philosophy of the rally Lancer’s V6 diesel – although this time the engine will head straight into a production vehicle.

MMC has high hopes for its new rally weapon, referring to it as a major player at the 2009 Dakar rally – particularly as the Pajero Evolution has been running the new V6 diesel in several races over the last few months.

The company says its rally Lancer combines 35 years of the Lancer’s rally heritage with 25 years of the Pajero racer’s competition success.

According to MMC, “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.”

WRX09 specifications:

Overall length: 4475mm

Overall width: 1990mm

Wheelbase: 2900mm

Track (front/rear): 1750mm/1750mm

Weight: 1900kg

Engine: 2997cc V6 turbo-diesel

Maximum power: 190kW-plus

Maximum torque: 650Nm-plus

Transmission: Ricardo five-speed sequential manual

4WD system: Permanent, with limited-slip central differential