Mitsubishi Motors has announced today the global debut of a new sports car concept, the Mitsubishi Concept-RA, at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show in January. Just coming off of the buzz from this recent North American release of the Lancer EVO X at Los Angeles weeks ago, Mitsu cracks us over the head with this sleek aggressive sports coupe version of the EVO X featuring Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) and the Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission which uncoincidentally are both used in Lancer Evo X (JDM version). For maximum sdriving control and dynamics active steering and active suspension are dropped into the pot for good measure. With no shame in diesels these days powering sports cars, the Concept-RA gets a new low-emissions 2.2-liter 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbodiesel featuring variable vane geometry while producing 150 kW (204 PS) and maximum torque of 420 Nm (42.8 kg-m). To save weight and increase crash worthiness, the body is an aluminum space frame along with the hood while the fenders and other outer panels such as door skins are made from recyclable plastic resin.
Mitsubishi Concept-RA Announced for Detroit
Mitsubishi Concept-RA
by Brian Potter
November 27, 2007 6:38 PM
Filed Under: Concept Car, Detroit Auto Show, Japanese, Mitsubishi
November 27, 2007 6:38 PM
Filed Under: Concept Car, Detroit Auto Show, Japanese, Mitsubishi
Comments
Harajoshi
November 27, 2007 6:55 PM
everything on this car screams "kill me"... poor, poor thing, noone should look like this.
GeeDougg
November 28, 2007 3:38 PM
Are you kidding?! That looks amazing! I'd expect a sexy European super-coupe from the likes of Audi and Maserati to look like that, but not a Mitsu.... I think this is a move in the right direction; this is what the new Eclipse should have looked like. I hope they make a modern 3000GT that looks like this sketch....
AmazingJerry
November 27, 2007 7:00 PM
I guess this is a two-door coupe version of the Evo X? Looks amazing.
Joe_Limon
November 27, 2007 11:07 PM
4wd, 310 ftlbs of torque. And in such a small car, this thing is going to have a beastly 0-60 time. Finally a decent mitsubishi sports car
THERENAISSANCEMAN
November 28, 2007 5:58 PM
sonomasquintin'Jap ! that's da way to do it , Mitsubishi. this development makes a lot of sense in every sense of the word. more horsepower for less burn. excting sportscars that are at the same time considerate towards the environment. Lambo could learn a thing or twelve from this ! by the way , isn't Ferruccio a farm tractor manufacturer by trade ?
radmeister
November 28, 2007 6:04 PM
This will probably replace that abomination called the eclipse. Sooo damn ugly. As for lamborghini learning anything from Mitsubishi i highly doubt they need to learn anything. I've seen more gallardos than all the mitsubishi's combined here on the roads.
THERENAISSANCEMAN
November 29, 2007 1:07 PM
Lambo could learn a lot alright from Mitsubishi, most critically in the area of judicious fuel consumption allied to everyday, real world automotive engine performance/endurance as people really do not cruise daily along Rodeo Drive in an empty display of vanity .
GeeDougg
November 29, 2007 5:10 PM
THERENAISSANCEMAN, as someone who likes Mitsubishis and is literally surrounded by them, I'd have to disagree with that one. Lamborghini doesn't need to learn anything (at least nothing in the way of gas mileage in real life performance situations) because for one, they're not in that sort of business, and more importantly, Mitsubishis don't actually provide great gas mileage anyway. Take the 126BHP previous-generation Lancer: you'd think with an engine that smooth in a cr so small the gas consumption would be amazingly low, and yet my friend who drives the car daily puts at least $5-$10 (CAD) worth of gas in it every day without having to drive that far from where he lives (two 35-minute commutes at moderate speeds per day).
radmeister
November 28, 2007 6:12 PM
What i never understood is why doesnt mitsubishi slap on some turbos on their 3.8L V6 and call it a day, whats this BS of a 2.2L TDi in a sports car? Who wants to stay under 3000rpm all the time? Don't make sense to me a design so sporty and passionate and then the dissapointment of a 2.2L TDI IMO if you're going to make a sports car make it proper not half assed. Same with the corvette and viper, they were on the right track everything is perfect untill you get inside and feel the leather and plastic dash/trim. If you're going to do something do it right all the way.
GeeDougg
December 1, 2007 4:43 PM
Diesels aren't necessarily limited to 3000RPM.... Many German diesels can rev right up to 5500RPM, and sports Diesels can rev a bit higher - more slippery diesels are also on the way that can apparently rev to 6000RPM without ridiculous engine strain or sacrificing much torque.... I'd trust a nice BMW, VW/Audi, or Mercedes Diesel in a sports car.... Anyone who tests them in Germany has nothing but nice things to say. It's the natural next step in sport for the coming years (especially with rising/insane petrol prices). Diesels (or at least technologies like Diesotto) are a necessity, and they don't necessarily have to be boring putput diesels like what you'd find in an old American diesel truck....
GeeDougg
December 1, 2007 4:44 PM
And one more thing: that 3.8L V6 is a huge disappointment, especially from a company like Mistu.... I'm still perplexed as to how a modern DOHC V6 from such a company can have such a low power/displacement ratio and not even make up for it with more torque...
Lekz
November 28, 2007 10:11 PM
Greatest Idea. I've always thought diesel engines have been underrated, and I'm all up for small engines with crazy performance. If this comes out, I'm guessing it'll probably replace the Eclipse... unless... 3000GT revival? I'd expect a higher performing engine if it were the latter, although it's still not bad.
My two favorite manufacturers are Lambo and Mitsu... It'd be my dream if both worked together hahaha
DeRay
November 29, 2007 1:18 AM
I think this is a good concept and will definitely stir up some excitement for Mitsu. However i don't think this will get people in the dealerships until they make a worthy mid-size sedan (at least in the american market) that would have some of this styling that they are putting on the concept.I like what radmeister said about the V6 and I like what Lekz said about a 3000GT revival. It would be nice for them to have a care that would compete with the likes of the 350Z and win!
phobos
December 1, 2007 10:21 AM
great concept from mitsubishi with diesel engine too, big torque for small car, efficient fuel consumption, just great!
MM
December 8, 2007 6:41 AM
I wonder how people would have reacted if this design was badged with a Ferrari, Lambo, Audi and other highend brands other than Mitsubishi???? What if Mitsu decided to put in a V12 engine as well??? I guess everybody would yell "GAS GUZZLER" right???
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