Mitsubishi 'introduced' its new cross-country rally competition car, the Racing Lancer, this week - and already the Japanese manufacturer has set its sights on taking victory with it on next year's Dakar, which breaks new ground in 2009 with the switch from Africa to South America.
"In light of the corporate decision to focus the firm's cross-country rallying activities on the development of a new diesel engine, Mitsubishi Motors sees it as a natural step for the Lancer, a commercially and globally important model powered by the diesel powerplant, to take over the competition baton from the Pajero/Montero and the Pajero/Montero Evolution," read a statement to the media.
"The technological expertise accumulated thanks to the firm's cross-country rally programme, which includes the Dakar, will be applied to its diesel engine development, including the new-generation clean diesel that will power the future production cars.
"The Racing Lancer is a Super Production Cross-Country Rally car, which has been developed in compliance with the FIA's Group T1 regulations (modified cross-country rally cars). It also complies with the new rules due to come into force in 2010.
"Needless to say, the new rally car has profited from the technical expertise and experience gained with the Pajero/Montero and the Pajero/Montero Evolution which secured 12 outright Dakar wins during its uninterrupted 25-year participation on the celebrated African event, a sequence which began with the fifth edition of the rally in 1983.
"The MRX09 features a new, multi-tubular steel frame which has benefited from advanced CAE analysis with a view to optimising the layout and dimensioning of the tubing. The car will be powered by the 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine which the company is currently developing on qualifying rounds of the 2008 Dakar Series and the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup.
"The carbon-fibre bodywork of the MRX09 is redolent of the Lancer Sportback, a new sporty hatchback due to be released on the European market this summer. The new car will be 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."
Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart meanwhile will play an 'important role as an integral part of the automobile research and development programme'.
The technical specifications of the Racing Lancer are as follows:
Overall length: 4475mm
Overall width: 1990mm
Wheel base: 2900mm
Front track: 1750mm
Rear track: 1750mm
Weight: 1900kg
Engine model: 2,997cc V6 turbocharged diesel
Maximum power: more than 190kW (260hp)
Maximum torque: more than 650Nm (66.3kgm)
Transmission: Ricardo five-speed sequential, manual
4WD system: permanent four-wheel drive with limited slip central differential
