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Mitsubishi Ralliart Killed by Automotive End of Days

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:07:58 +0000

Mitsubishi Ralliart, not only a car variant for Mitsubishi but also one of their most prized racing teams, (they’ve taken home wins at Dakar & WRC) is coming to an end – due to what are essentially budget cuts.

This news won’t effect North American Mitsubishi sales, or models like the Evo or Lancer. It will pretty much erase Mitsu from most major racing events, however. The high cost of specialized parts and maintaining a race team is mostly to blame…well that and the automotive apocalypse our world just went through. Details in a press release below.

Press Release:

Partial Cease of Business Activities along with Ralliart Inc’s Business Scale Down
Ralliart Inc (President Masao Taguchi) has announced as follows.

Dear all of our customers ,

First of all, we much appreciate for your usual patronage to our company.
Our company have done the various activities relating motorsport with the support of many people since the establishment in April,1984 so far. However, because of the sudden change of economy situation since the year before last, the business circumstance surrounding our company radically became worse and so, this time we have reached the conclusion that we Ralliart Inc., would scale down our business activities as of the end of March 2010.

Along with the scale down of our business activities this time, we would cease the following business and operation which we have done so far. We would like to express our sincere apology to all of customers though we would make you much inconveniences.

Meanwhile, we wish you a continuous support to Ralliart family and entrants driving Mitsubishi cars who play an active part all over the world.

Items which would cease our business and operation along with our business scale down;

1. Support to motorsport customers(Support to the participation, Technical Support, and Awarding of Mitsubishi/Ralliart Driver of the Year)
2. New Planning, Development and Merchandize of Ralliart products (Except FIA VO parts) :*1
3. Information of new products and dispatching motorsport information(at web):*2

*1 FIA VO parts development and those application work shall be done by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation as it is.
*2 FIA Group-N information shall be open at the web site of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

Date of the cease: 1st April, 2010

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X in Pictures

admin — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:33:44 +0000

If you have 49,990-pounds (roughly $69,000 USD) and want a top of the line Mitsubishi racer, then the newly released Lancer EVO X FQ-400 is for you. Of course this particular Lancer is only available in the UK for now, but rest assured that even in this economy, as long as there is an audience, we may just get our own American-ized EVO X.

Mitsu’s FQ-400 claims to be the fastest variant of the EVO-lution line from the make. At a top speed of 155 MPH (electronically limited, so it won’t be long until some psychopath deactivates that safety feature) and a 0-62 timing of 3.8 seconds, one can almost guarantee gear heads will be turning over their mattresses searching for every last penny and heading to the closest Mitsubishi lot.

What gives the Lancer EVO X FQ-400 it’s extra boost is the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine – pumping out over 400 cubic horse power and 387 lb-ft of torque. Racing-spec high flow fuel injectors, new turbocharger with intercooler along with 3-inch exhaust area all to blame for such an intense boost of power. Check out full details and more kick-ass photos below.

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X FQ-400

THE FASTEST AND MOST EXTREME LANCER EVOLUTION EVER RELEASED BY MITSUBISHI MOTORS in the UK

* List price from £49,999
* On sale – June 2009
* The most powerful, accelerative Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to date
* Peak power of 403bhp @ 6,500rpm; peak torque of 525Nm @ 3,500rpm
* 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds (est.); top speed 155mph (electronically limited)

The tenth version of Mitsubishi’s iconic Lancer Evolution models has a new performance flagship model to top its range, the FQ-400.

Extreme Evolution
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400 is the fastest and most extreme version of Mitsubishi’s motorsport derived machine. With 403bhp and 387lb.ft of torque on offer from its advanced, lightweight aluminium 2.0-litre turbocharged MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) petrol engine the FQ-400 is able to reach 62mph from standstill in an estimated 3.8 seconds before reaching an electronically limited 155mph – where permitted.

Traction and handling
Ensuring all the FQ-400′s power is put to good use is Mitsubishi’s sophisticated Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) four-wheel-drive system which appropriates power to the wheels that can best use it, giving the FQ-400 quite sensational cross-country performance.

The S-AWC system combines a number of electronic systems that both enhance the FQ-400′s performance and safety, with Active Stability Control and Active Centre Differential, Active Yaw Control and Sport ABS giving the FQ-400 incredible cornering ability, traction and grip. Depending on the conditions the driver can select the most suitable set-up for the S-AWC system, three choices – Tarmac, Gravel and Snow – being offered via the wheel-mounted button and displayed in the central instrument binnacle.

Cornering stability
Increasing the FQ-400′s cornering ability even further over its FQ relatives is a wider track and lowered suspension featuring Eibach springs and Bilstein Shock Absorbers. Lightweight 18-inch, nine spoke alloy wheels fitted with Toyo Proxes R1R tyres enhance the FQ-400′s grip, giving it sharper cornering response on the road and more incisive steering. The enhanced agility and performance is backed by a revised braking system which uses aerospace grade aluminium alloys and floating sealed discs grabbed by high performance pads.

Extreme Power
To achieve the incredible 403bhp from just 2.0-litres Mitsubishi has had to significantly revise the FQ-400′s advanced powerplant. Motorsport specification high-flow fuel injectors are fitted to the aluminium cylinder head and a new hybrid turbocharger is also fitted. The higher specification turbocharger features low-friction bearings, a high temperature turbine and strengthened thrust bearing to increase response and reduce turbo lag. Feeding the turbocharger cooled air, improving its performance and efficiency, is an enhanced intercooler, while the exhaust’s gasses flow from the engine via a 3-inch diameter high flow stainless steel piping and catalytic convertor before exiting through a centrally positioned exhaust.

Mitsubishi has remapped the Engine Control Unit (ECU) extensively with over 500 hours of development time to allow its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to not just produce its exceptional output but to do so with excellent driveability. The FQ-400′s acceleration is sensational, it pulling hard through the gears regardless of engine revs. With peak torque of 387lb.ft on offer from just 3,500rpm, the FQ-400 is just as able to trickle through town traffic as it is taking a rally special stage.

A ‘nod’ to the Evo VI
The FQ-400 looks every bit the rally refugee too, giving a strong ‘nod’ to the styling cues of the legendary Evolution VI, and builds on the already aggressive style of its Lancer Evolution X FQ relatives.

A heavily vented bonnet helps heat escape from the FQ-400′s turbocharged engine and a new lightweight composite front bumper incorporating Mitsubishi’s trademark ‘Jet Fighter’ grille features carbon-fibre elements on its leading edges. Additional lighting and High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights mark out the FQ-400′s nose, its added aggressiveness further enhanced by a 30mm drop in front ride height. Composite side skirts, a re-styled rear bumper with a carbon fibre diffuser, a rear wing incorporating a gurney strip and a roof-mounted ‘Vortex Generator’ all help manage airflow and cooling.

Behind the 18-inch lightweight, nine spoke alloy wheels it’s possible to see the Alcon brakes on the front, while the Toyo Proxes R1R tyres underline the FQ-400′s potency with their aggressive ‘cut slick’ tread pattern. Inside, the driver is held tightly against the FQ-400′s sensational accelerative, braking and cornering forces in Recaro bucket sports seats, the range-topping Lancer Evolution X also gaining an FQ-400 liveried handbrake handle and carbon fibre gearknob.

No compromise
Despite its obvious focus the FQ-400′s suspension offers compliance thanks to the Eibach Springs and Bilstein Shock Absorbers, the FQ-400′s usefulness as a daily driver not compromised overly thanks to Mitsubishi’s chassis tuning. The stiff bodywork not only provides an exceptionally rigid platform for the suspension to work, but excellent crash-worthiness, the Lancer Evolution X attaining a five-star score in Euro NCAP’s independent crash tests. The FQ-400′s S-AWC and its incorporated stability, traction and braking systems helping avoid an accident in the first place. Even so there’s reassurance of seven airbags, seat belt pretensioners and ISO Fix child seating all included in its standard specification.

Fully loaded
Standard equipment for the range-topping Lancer Evolution X model is comprehensive, the FQ-400 coming with Bluetooth hands-free telephone connection, a CD-tuner with 30 Gig hard drive, DVD satellite navigation and privacy glass. Convenience features like remote central locking, automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers increase the FQ-400′s ease of use, the huge performance it offers not coming at the expense of usefulness. Like its Lancer Evolution X relatives it features comfortable seating for five as well as a usefully sized boot, the FQ-400 bringing all the convenience of the standard saloon car it’s based upon – but with explosive performance potential.

Setting the standard
Standard it’s not though, instead the FQ-400 is a standard setter, with performance that’s the measure of any rival and many exotic sports and supercars costing many multiples of its £49,999 list price. Available from June 2009, the FQ-400 is covered by a three year / 36,000 mile warranty.

Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evo X Race Program

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:14:20 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors UK is in the works to bring us a Lancer Evolution X Racer. This Evo X Lancer will produce about 400 horsepower while maintaining an all-wheel-drive configuration. The Evo X Racer is currently being worked on by ADR Motorsport, the team which already builds and runs the two-works Mitsubishi cars currently competing in British Rally Championships.

General Manager for Ralliart Paul Brigden says, “Mitsubishi UK has not been involved with circuit racing for many years, so this new initiative is a great opportunity for us. Subject to the level of interest from competitors, we are also hoping to announce a one-make race-series for the Evolution X soon.”

Mitsubishi’s Lancer Desert Racer

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:21:14 +0000

Mitsubishi has made a gaggle of race vehicles over the past few decades, and taken home a large share of 1st-place trophies. Their latest Rally-winner is a converted Lancer that pumps through more sand dunes than one of those giant worms from Dune. If you had to cross one of the planet’s largest wastelands, wouldn’t you want to barrel through it as quickly as possible? Although the ride may be a little bumpy – have a closer look at this desert prowler below.

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.”

Mitsubishi to Slightly Increase Prices

admin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:54:08 +0000

Mitsubishi is raising its prices for the 2008 release. In general, prices will have a slight increase between $675 and $695 on new models in the continental United States. (Automotive.com)

And why not? According to Mitsubishi, it reported an overall sales increase of X compared to 2007. Among the leading models, Mitsubishi boasts a 16.4% increase on the Galant, and upward trend of 29% on the Eclipse Spyder, and the prized Evo Lancer had a 48.4% jump.

This doesn’t really seem like it would impact overall car sales much, especially for the class and competition for small compact sedans and coupes.