Have you ever dreamed of seeing an EVO X running at the Dakar? Well brace yourself since Mitsubishi will have a MRX09 Racing Lancer ready to fight at the 2009 Dakar!
The MRX09 is a "Cross-Country" class rally car, and this code name stands for Mitsubishi Rally "Cross-Country"(X) stick with the 09 of 2009. Based on the Lancer Sportback's body, our almighty MRX09 will sure put some spice on next year Dakar.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has developed a new competition car, the Racing Lancer, whose mission will be to target victory at next year's Dakar. In 2009 it will break new ground 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 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 with a diesel powerplant, to take 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 future production cars. As was previously the case, 4WD systems technology will also be carried over to the production versions after their configuration has been optimized.
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 that has been developed in compliance with FIA 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 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-fiber bodywork of the MRX09 is redolent of the Lancer Sportback, a new sporty hatchback due to be released in Europe 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.
* MRX09: The new codename for Mitsubishi's latest cross-country rally challenger. 'MRX09' stands for 'Mitsubishi Rally 'Cross Country'('X'), plus a suffix for the year in which it competes ('09' = 2009).
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Posted on 16/07/08 By G-A.G
