Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Green, Mitsubishi
Detroit Preview: Mitsubishi to unleash Concept-RA
by John Neff on Nov 27th 2007 at 11:22AM 
click above image to view high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Concept-RA
Performance enthusiasts have witnessed the devolution of the Mitsubishi Eclipse from the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive thrill ride it once was to the V6-powered, front-wheel-drive highway cruiser it is today. Perhaps the Concept-RA that Mitsubishi will unveil at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January heralds a return to that original Eclipse. The concept certainly has the look of those first-gen cars, with a low slung body and perfectly arching roof line. The rear even has a bit of Boxster to it. The fender flares and what we hope are functional extraction vents give purpose to the design, which is backed up by the use of lightweight materials and an eco-friendly though potent powerplant.
The Concept-RA is built on an aluminum space frame and most of its body panels, including the hood and fenders, are made from a recyclable plastic resin that's impact resistant. That brings the weight down so that the 2.2L four-cylinder turbodiesel doesn't have to work as hard to make the car go. The diesel features Mitsu's MIVEC valve timing technology, as well as direct injection and piezoelectric injectors. It requires no urea injection to meet our strict emissions standards for diesels, instead relying on a smorgasbord of traps, filters and catalytic converters. Despite its formidable green cred, the 2.2L mill produces just over 200 HP and 310 ft-lbs. of torque. Like the best Eclipses of old, it sends power to all four wheels, though through a more modern Twin Clutch SST transmission. Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) also keeps the car planted by coordinating the efforts of a variety of systems, including the brakes, stability control, steering and damping.
The Concept-RA should to be one of the most exciting concepts in Detroit this year, not just because it looks sharp, but also because Mitsubishi took the time to fit it with a workable drivetrain and cutting edge powerplant that could make it to market. As for whether or not the Concept-RA has any official ties to the first-generation Eclipse, that was our own wishful thinking... but you can't deny the resemblance.
[Source: Mitsubishi]
Gallery: Mitsubishi Concept-RA
PRESS RELEASE:
Mitsubishi Motors new "MITSUBISHI Concept-RA" to receive global premiere at 2008 Detroit Motor Show
Tokyo, November 27, 2007 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. (MMNA, based in Cypress California) will premiere MITSUBISHI Concept-RA to the world at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS or the Detroit Motor Show). MITSUBISHI Concept-RA fuses a passion for dynamic, exciting driving with a heightened sensitivity for the environment thanks to clean, efficient high performance diesel power. The 2008 NAIAS runs from January 13 to 27 at the Cobo Center in Detroit and opens to the general public on January 19.
MITSUBISHI Concept-RA shows that thrilling performance and environmental responsibility need not be mutually exclusive concepts. This coupe concept features the Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamics control system driveline and the Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission used in Lancer Evolution*1, is powered by a new high-output, high-efficiency clean diesel engine.
*1: Lancer Evolution X in Japan
The MITSUBISHI Concept-RA S-AWC driveline adds Active Steering and Active Damping control to the ACD*2, AYC*3, Sport ABS*4 and ASC*5 component systems that comprise the system used on Lancer Evolution. S-AWC integrally manages all of these systems to realize advanced levels of control over drive torque and braking, thereby upgrading traction, cornering and vehicle stability. All this adds up to 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-efficiency, low-emissions 2.2-liter 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbodiesel engine with MIVEC*6 continuously variable valve timing control. With piezoelectric injector common-rail direct fuel injection that allows a lower compression ratio and with a VD (Variable Diffuser)/VG (Variable Geometry) turbocharger, the clean diesel unit delivers a maximum output of 150 kW (204 PS) and maximum torque of 420 Nm (42.8 kg-m). For compliance with U.S. emissions standards (Tier 2 Bin 5 emission regulations), the engine relies on a new catalytic converter system that brings together diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), NOx trap catalyst (NTC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) technologies. The new diesel engine will deliver exciting driving manners with a high degree of fuel efficiency.
For improved crashworthiness and to reduce vehicle weight MITSUBISHI Concept-RA features a new body structure using an aluminum space frame made from extruded aluminum sections and die-cast aluminum members, as well as engine hood, fenders and other outer panels made from high impact-resistance and easily recyclable plastic resin.
*2: Active Center Differential
*3: Active Yaw Control
*4: Sport Antilock Brake System
*5: Active Stability Control
*6: Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Menice 11:38AM (11/27/2007)
anything is better then the fat butted blotted mess it is today.
this will be cool, back to rwd sporty cars
Hyundai is ready to go
Mitsu seems to be gearing up
Toyo realizing they're missing the boat, ready to get back on.
can we get VW to make the real Scirocco again?
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MGBYG 11:41AM (11/27/2007)
YES!!
The new Mitshi design language unleashed!!
An EVO with sportscar proportions. Simple, tough, strong...very nice!!
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Turbofrog 11:43AM (11/27/2007)
That's awesome.
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Killenmedpirogen 11:45AM (11/27/2007)
Gah! it look like that hot wheels toy thingading ding.
Has the world gone crazy or what?!
Are they really trying to make kick ass cars again?
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John P. 11:48AM (11/27/2007)
VERY NICE. first Mitsubishi I've seen in a long time (maybe ever) that I like.
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John P. 11:51AM (11/27/2007)
Props to Gary Ragle for the great design/illustration also.
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Tsunami Racer 11:57AM (11/27/2007)
hoo-RA!!
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Paul P. 12:01PM (11/27/2007)
I would take one just like that. AWD and diesel.
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deadlydave 12:13PM (11/27/2007)
I don't think this will be anything close to the DSM's of old--too much competition for their own Lancers. The new dual-clutch trans is also still unproven. People want an Eclipse that breaks all the time, they could just buy an old one.
The Turbodiesel is a cool concept, and the body is gorgeous. I think the Tri-diamond guys are gonna water it down for production though.
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jgp 12:18PM (11/27/2007)
This is the best Eclipse since 1999.
Put this in production ASAP.
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John R 12:26PM (11/27/2007)
We'll see how much of that translates to production, but it looks great. The fact it looks like hot wheels makes me smile. I like the propsed powerplant, too.
Most of us yanks are still averse to diesels, unfortunately. However, something like this could be a game changer for the perception of diesels if the mileage is good.
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EclipseOwner007 1:03AM (1/11/2008)
Not just looks like Hot Wheels, is:
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071031.012/mini1/mitsubishi-double-shotz-hot-wheels-design-at-sema
nagmashot 12:55PM (11/27/2007)
Mitsubishi R8....
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Bryan 12:56PM (11/27/2007)
When I sold Mitsu, a Rep told us some awesome things such as Mitsu plans to go back to its original roots. Such as AWD Turbo Cars. Also the galant is going get a AWD Turbo version and its getting redesigned in 09/10.
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mk 1:58PM (11/27/2007)
So, in other words, they are going to try to out-Subaru Subaru. :D
If they do that with a car as good looking as that rendering, they might pull it off, to both the delight and disappointment of we boxer-engine turbo AWD fans.
I wish that Subaru had something as cool looking as the old Eagle Talon TSI AWD. (it was better looking than the Eclipse of the same vintage, just as the Dodge Stealth was better looking than the 3000GT.)
It will be interesting to see if this materializes, and what arises to compete.
Diesel might be cool, (especially with the prospect of vegetable frying oil recycling for diesel fuel) But this sounds an awful lot like the EVO X drivetrain in a slick coupe. What is taking so long to build that idea?
Andrew 3:38AM (11/30/2007)
The galant in Japan has always had an awd version.
Jim 1:28PM (11/27/2007)
The GSX is Back!! Or we can only hope. I have a 1999, and just have been hugely disappointed with the nasty turn the Eclipse has taken since then. Although the current body style isn't horrible, the loss of the AWD and turbo is the biggest problem. PLEASE PROVIDE A SIX SPEED MANUAL, as an option! I'm not holding my breath though, manumatics are taking over. Manumatics: I don't care how fast they shift, that's beside the point...the point is the loss of the connection/control with the machine.
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blinkra182 1:29PM (11/27/2007)
another step in the right direction. Mitsu's looking good again.
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Dausman 1:29PM (11/27/2007)
Diesel is a great power source concept for this car...diesel power is a fantastic stop gap fuel until alternative fuel/power sources come to fruition.
Awesome designed automobile...
Would hope its ride would be as sweet as the Mitsu 3000GTs of earlier days.
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Dan 1:38PM (11/27/2007)
Always have wondered why they didn't take all that Evo stuff and stick it under the Eclipse, which is a good looking car but boring.
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