Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Detroit 2008: Ra-Roh! Mitsubishi unveils Concept-RA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/13/detroit-2008-ra-roh-mitsubishi-unveils-concept-ra/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/13/detroit-2008-ra-roh-mitsubishi-unveils-concept-ra/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/13/detroit-2008-ra-roh-mitsubishi-unveils-concept-ra/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click above for more high-res images of the Mitsubishi Concept-RA

It's a rare day when a concept makes us visibly wretch, but Mitsubishi did just that when it ripped the sheets off its Concept-RA. Maybe it was the ill-proportioned front fascia that took all the wrong cues from a Vector, or the generic styling of the rear three-quarter view, but overall, it left us cold, despite Mitsu's infinitely looped Daft Punk/Kanye West mashup.

Regardless, the Concept-RA uses some innovative materials (aluminum space frame and recycled plastic body panels) and we like the idea of an all-wheel-drive, diesel-powered sports coupe that sends 201 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of twist through Mitsubishi's S-AWC system. But beyond the powertrain underneath, we weren't impressed -- and the engine poking through the hood didn't help either.

Mitsubishi's press release plus video is posted in full after the jump and we've got our live gallery of images below.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Concept-RA

Continue reading Detroit 2008: Ra-Roh! Mitsubishi unveils Concept-RA

Detroit 2008: Ra-Roh! Mitsubishi unveils Concept-RA originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008concept raconcept-raConceptRadetroitdetroit auto showDetroitAutoShowmitsubishimitsubishi concept raMitsubishiConceptRanaiasSun, 13 Jan 2008 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Mitsubishi Concept-RA may hint at Eclipse for Europe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/02/rumormill-mitsubishi-concept-ra-may-hint-at-eclipse-for-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/02/rumormill-mitsubishi-concept-ra-may-hint-at-eclipse-for-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/02/rumormill-mitsubishi-concept-ra-may-hint-at-eclipse-for-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This is not just rumormill, this is rumors of hints and suggestions made by anonymous people. Just last week we wondered whether Mitsubishi's Concept-RA would lead to a new -- and proper -- Eclipse. What Car? went further, and although citing nothing more than "insiders," said that the red zinger "could be a forerunner for a new Eclipse coupe, which could go on sale in Europe."

True, that's a lot of coulds. But it wasn't so long ago that the Eclipse was an object of desire, and there can't be any doubt that Mitsubishi would love to see those days return -- especially after watching rival Nissan revive brand lust by slowly reinjecting its products with feeling.

Mitsubishi's attempt to mainstream the Eclipse robbed it of the fan base it had and yet didn't grow a new one. We suppose the questions, as always, would be money and the business case, but we for one would love to see Mitsu do that car, right there, in the picture above, as the new Eclipse. If they could get enough other people behind it, we wouldn't be surprised if they did. (Hint: that means it's time to tell them what you think. The comments box is waiting. Europeans are welcome.)

[Source: What Car?]

Rumormill: Mitsubishi Concept-RA may hint at Eclipse for Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept-ramitsubishi concept-ramitsubishi eclipseMitsubishiConcept-raMitsubishiEclipseSun, 02 Dec 2007 16:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Preview: Mitsubishi to unleash Concept-RA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/detroit-preview-mitsubishi-to-unleash-concept-ra/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/detroit-preview-mitsubishi-to-unleash-concept-ra/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/detroit-preview-mitsubishi-to-unleash-concept-ra/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


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

Continue reading Detroit Preview: Mitsubishi to unleash Concept-RA

Detroit Preview: Mitsubishi to unleash Concept-RA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingconcept-radetroitdetroit 2008detroit2008mitsubishimitsubishi concept-raMitsubishiConcept-raTue, 27 Nov 2007 11:22:00 EST