Mitsubishi dazzles with a sports coupe that could be next Eclipse
Mitsubishi Concept-RA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://images.leftlanenews.com/conte...ncept-ra-1.jpg
The jockeying for attention at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January is well under way.
Mitsubishi on Tuesday said it would show a coupe concept--maybe a preview of the next Eclipse--with the Concept-RA, at the Detroit show.
The concept will have plastic body panels mounted to an aluminum spaceframe. That spaceframe is a combination of extruded pieces and die-cast sections.
Under the plastic hood is a 2.2-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with piezoelectric fuel injectors. Among the wizardry is variable valve timing and a turbocharger with variable vane technology, for more oomph at low rpm. Mitsubishi says the engine is rated at 201 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
For the chassis, Mitsubishi has raided the Lancer Evolution parts bin. The Concept-RA gets the six-speed, dual-clutch, automated manual transmission from the Evo. Helping to keep the wheels planted is the Super All-Wheel Control system, which bolsters the basic traction- and stability-control units with active steering and active damping systems.
http://images.leftlanenews.com/conte...ncept-ra-2.jpg
