Mitsubishi has been producing winning race cars since 1962, when they first entered the Macao Grand Prix. It’s those years of experience that keeps the auto maker at the forefront of Rally championships. Mitsubishi’s latest entry for the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup is their Lancer Racer - a 260 horse power diesel V6 engine built into what looks like a prop from Mad Max. Now you may be asking, is it a car, a truck, or both? It’s Mitsu’s first crossover rally car to be exact, though we doubt many drivers have their kids or groceries strapped in its back seat.

The Lancer Racer will make its next appearance at the 2009 Dakar – Paris Rally (see our video page for a clip of the 2007 Dakar Mitsubishi race) .The Racer will also make a visit to the 2008 Paris Motor Show this October, where participants can have a look at the vehicle without getting dust in their eyes. Mitsubishi hopes the Racer’s clean diesel V6 will become a “key ambassador for diesel technologies.”