Mitsubishi RA?

[Exhaust]

Whatever happened to this car? Looking back at the supposed specs it seemed like it would be a perfect match against the twins, yet we havent heard of anything since debut? Cross our fingers or move on?

Mitsubishi is not giving in to the idea that clean, green cars have to have the driving excitement of a sailboat on a windless day. Rather, the Japanese automaker wants to fuse two areas once considered polar opposites: environmental sensitivity and high performance.

Making its global premiere at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, the Mitsubishi Concept-RA coupe has under its hood a 2.2-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder turbo-diesel with MIVEC, Mitsubishi's variable valve timing technology.

A similar unit was shown in the Mitsubishi Concept-ZT that debuted in October at the Tokyo auto show. The result is a clean diesel that delivers 201 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, figures that equate to high performance when complemented with a lightweight frame, if the rest of the package is up to the task.

Don't let the concept car's drivetrain fool you, though. The Concept-RA is a strong hint at the 2010 Eclipse, which will be based on the Lancer platform. This next Eclipse will be offered with the same turbo four and all-wheel drive as the Lancer Evolution X. This represents a move back to the small, light, tuner-friendly character that made the Eclipse cool in the first place. We can't wait.

Aluminum Space Frame Keeps Weight Down

The concept's design, which draws visual cues from the 2008 Eclipse, utilizes the sinuous curves one would expect from a performance vehicle. To accompany Mitsubishi's "green-focused" future, the Concept-RA has outer panels made of "high impact-resistance and easily recyclable plastic resin"—reminiscent of what is often returned at the supermarket for pennies.

In addition, the concept has a new spaceframe made from extruded aluminum sections and die-cast aluminum members.

Shares Features With the New Evo X

The high-output diesel in this concept is paired with such features as Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC), for improved traction, cornering, and vehicle stability, and the automaker's twin-clutch SST (Sport Shift Transmission), both of which will be available on the Evolution X when it goes on sale early next year.

[Ryephile]

Mitsubishi ran out of money, that's what happened

[Asterisked Accolade]

It's been forever since i've liked more than one car Mitsubishi makes.

[M-17]

I don't recall ever seeing this concept before from Mitsubishi and it looks like there's too much going on there for that car anyway. But a 2.2-liter that puts out 201 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque would have been interesting to see from Mitsubishi.

And Ryephile got it right.

[vh_supra26]

Looks like the next gen Eclipse?

[stilletto]

Mitsubishi's slowly circling the drain. Exact reason I've abandoned my dreams of owning an Evo, and re-ignited my passion for RWD.

[Exhaust]

Really do you guys think it looks that bad? I though it looks great and exotic and in IMO its what the the new mitsu should of been

[stilletto]

It looks exactly like my 4G.. Just WAY more dramatic.

[Fnbeast86]

I will never buy a Mitsubishi again until I Hve a lot of extra money thing sucks gas up so fast

[fatoni]

looks like mitsu put lambo doors on a crz and called it a day

[The359]

It was just a preview of the Mitsubishi Eclipse. So all show, no go.

The turbodiesel motor might end up in the next Evo though.

[stilletto]

IF there's another Evolution.

[Exhaust]

Originally Posted by stilletto

IF there's another Evolution.

Let us pray

[srtblake]

evo hybrid if anything.

I know of 3 mitsu dealerships in chicagoland area closing by summer.


I know they announced no plan to leave the U.S. when suzuki did, but really.........