Mitsubishi Racing Lancer MRX09 in action!
Click to enlarge
Mitsubishi has unveiled proper photos of the Mitsubishi Racing Lancer MRX09 in action, after previously releasing an artist’s rendering of it back in July. The Mitsubishi Racing Lancer replaces the Pajero Evolution in the Dakar rally. It has covered more than 8,000km in testing and competition in order for engineers to develop new suspension geometry to suit different weight distributions and torque characteristics.
It isn’t really based on a Lancer, instead it is built on a tubular steel frame with a Lancer sportsback-based carbon fiber “skin” put over it. It measures 4,475mm long, 1,990mm wide and has a 2,900mm wheelbase.
Powering it is a 3.0 liter V6 turbodiesel putting out over 260 horsepower and 650Nm of torque. “The diesel version is overwhelmingly easy to drive thanks to its tremendous torque which is available over an even broader rev-band. It outperforms the petrol-powered car in terms of controllability over challenging terrain, as well as when accelerating out of corners and along high-speed straights. With the right set-up it would be comfortably faster,” said Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Hiroshi Masuoka.
Look after the jump for two more photos of the new rally contender.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
August 24, 2008 @ 1:01 am
Yeah, now you (Japs) only know the real turbo diesel power. Besides all the goodies above, it gives more miles compare to the Petrol engine. (save more FC compare to petrol engine at the same spec)
August 24, 2008 @ 1:55 am
wow
August 24, 2008 @ 11:59 am
LittleFire85,
Mistubishi has been alliance with PSA Peugeot Citroen since long ago. They’re were also not 100% solely Japanese company.
Don’t you find the latest design of Lancer has very little touch of Japanese design? It doesn’t look like a Japanese car at all.
August 24, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
Andy214 said,
August 24, 2008 @ 11:59 am
LittleFire85,
Mistubishi has been alliance with PSA Peugeot Citroen since long ago. They’re were also not 100% solely Japanese company.
Don’t you find the latest design of Lancer has very little touch of Japanese design? It doesn’t look like a Japanese car at all.
——————————————————————
This car is not finalised yet. It’s still on testing and trails….for competition.
For rally car, durability, reliability and fail-proof gets the top priority. Looks wise, I’ll put in in second place.
August 24, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
it looks pretty weird, mutated
August 24, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
The looks reminds me of the viper car in that viper series.
August 24, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
what the fudge?
it looks cute.. o.o
August 25, 2008 @ 8:42 am
It looks like dark side of Gen2…
August 25, 2008 @ 8:45 am
Hehe… cute version of the Lancer… Hope it does well in Dakar. things get rather nasty there… gonna miss the Pajero Evo though…
August 25, 2008 @ 9:54 am
Its weird for Mitsu marketing guys to use this new shape.
I would suppose the Dakar rally would offer more benefit to Pajero sales instead of the Lancer. After all Mitsu still has the WRC to pit the lancer shape….
Who knows, perhaps this might be the harbinger of the next Pajero….. after all, the Outlander already carries the new Mitsu corporate face.