Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has developed a new
competition car, the Racing Lancer, whose mission will be to target victory on next year's
Dakar which breaks new ground in 2009 with a switch from Africa to South America. For
Mitsubishi Motors, not only does the Dakar serve as a platform for the sales and
marketing of the Pajero/Montero but it also provides a unique proving ground for
powertrains and 4WD transmission systems. 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 (known in Japan as Gallant
Fortis), 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. The technological expertise accumulated thanks to the firm's cross-country
rally program . 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. Meanwhile, as was previously the case, the 4WD systems technology
will also be carried over to the production versions after their configuration has been
optimized as a function of their end-use.
Under its new corporate communication tagline 'Drive@earth', Mitsubishi Motors
has a commitment to providing the joy of mobility for customers worldwide while
at the same time taking a responsible stance on the environment. Team Repsol Mitsubishi
Ralliart will also play an important role as an integral part of the automobile
research and development program.
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 Racing Lancer features a new, multi-tubular steel frame
which has benefited from advanced CAE analysis with a view to optimizing the layout
and dimensioning of the tubing. The car will be powered by the 3.0-liter 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 Racing Lancer 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.
|
| 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 |
|
