The "RA" in Concept-RA stands for "road alive" and it combines thrilling design with clean diesel technology. 21" wheels, butterfly design doors and a jet fighter nose are combined with a 2.2L turbodiesel and all-wheel-drive in this concept. The clean diesel MIVEC engine puts out 201 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. of torque. In addition it also achieves over 40 mpg.

Lets hope that Mitsubishi is actually going to produce something similar to this in the future. This would be a great basis for the next Eclipse.

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PRESS RELEASE:

MITSUBISHI MOTORS NEW “MITSUBISHI CONCEPT-RA” AND LANCER RALLIART
DEBUT AT 2008 DETROIT AUTO SHOW

DETROIT, Michigan. – (January 13, 2008) – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. debut the MITSUBISHI Concept-RA and the Lancer Ralliart to the world at the 2008 edition of the North American International Auto Show. Building on Mitsubishi’s global history of exciting two door sports coupes, the MITSUBISHI Concept-RA takes the sports coupe design theme in a new direction and brings the ROAD ALIVE. The exciting MITSUBISHI Concept-RA is an athletic pure coupe concept that allows a passion for dynamic performance driving to coexist with a heightened sensitivity for the environment thanks to high output clean diesel power. Also making its global debut, the 2009 Lancer Ralliart is a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive compact sports sedan that will be in showrooms in the summer of 2008.

Concept-RA

The MITSUBISHI Concept-RA continues a long tradition of sporty coupe concepts dating back to the 1972 debut of the Galant GTO R73-X show car, which showcased high revving, high output (200 hp) DOHC engine technology. Combining cutting edge drivetrain technologies with the latest clean diesel engine design, MITSUBISHI Concept-RA demonstrates that a thrilling performance machine and a sense of environmental responsibility need not be mutually exclusive concepts. The Concept-RA features a “next generation” Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system that is comprised of Active Center Differential, Active Yaw Control, Sport ABS and Active Stability Control component systems, as equipped on the very capable Lancer Evolution. For Concept–RA, this vehicle-dynamics-enhancing, all-wheel-drive system is upgraded to include Active Steering and Active Damping Control elements to further improve driver control, as well as vehicle handling and stability. S-AWC integrally manages all of these systems to realize advanced levels of control over drive torque and braking, thereby improving traction, cornering and vehicle stability. This complex system of electronic traction and driveline control help create intuitive, on-demand vehicle behavior that faithfully reflects driver intent under all driving conditions, from everyday use to emergency avoidance situations.

MITSUBISHI Concept-RA is powered by a new high output, low-emissions 2.2-liter 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbo diesel engine. This engine features a MIVEC1 valvetrain that offers continuously variable valve timing control as well as low and high speed camshaft profiles. The new diesel is equipped with piezoelectric injector common-rail direct fuel injection that allows a lower compression ratio and a VD (Variable Diffuser)/VG (Variable Geometry) turbocharger. The 2.2 liter clean diesel unit delivers a maximum output of 201 hp (150 kW) and maximum torque of 310 ft. lbs (42.8 kg-m). In an effort to comply with U.S. emissions standards (Tier 2 Bin 5 emission regulations), the diesel relies on a new catalytic converter system that utilizes diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), NOx trap catalyst (NTC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) technologies. When mated to a Twin Clutch-SST gearbox, the torque-rich diesel engine will help deliver sporty driving manners with a high degree of fuel efficiency.

MITSUBISHI Concept-RA makes extenseive use of lightweight materials in its contruction to help reduce vehicle mass for improved performance, fuel economy and safety. The atheltic coupe features a new body structure that utilizes an aluminum space frame made from extruded aluminum sections and die-cast aluminum components, as well as the hood, fenders and other outer panels molded from impact-resistant and easily recyclable plastic resin.

¹Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system

About Mitsubishi Motors North America

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks through a network of approximately 500 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.