Mitsubishi Concept-RA - At-A-Glance

**spt** · Jan 14, 2008, 02:52 PM

Click Here to read.

matt6g72 · Jan 14, 2008, 03:41 PM

kinda cool, but will never make it to production. i like the 201hp/310torque numbers though. would be a blast to drive.

CharlesJ · Jan 14, 2008, 04:24 PM

Dont be so sure....mistu has been playing up this concept for a while. If you look closely at the details, it also shares a lot in spirit with the evo lineup. Well, I would not expect this to be an exact reflection of a full production vehicle, it brings up some very interesting question

The powertrain option is of particular interest to me

Reptile · Jan 14, 2008, 10:33 PM

This concept has me VERY excited, and very hopeful about it becoming reality.
To me, this would be the perfect successor to my aging 2G DSM.
Granted, I wholeheartedly love the Evo, and everything in it......but not enough to shell out ~$40k for the latest iteration.

This concept RA has a soul stirring design that I think is just gorgeous.
Drop AWD, and the SST into it, and Mitsubishi will have a car that the DSM enthusiasts have been waiting for since '99.
The clean diesel idea is fantastic, and I am all for it........but even if it didn't, all I ask is that Mitsubishi bring this car to the market exactly how it appears in the the prototype........don't water it down, don't alter it.......gimme it exactly as it appears right now, and I will be there with my deposit in hand.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mitsu...t-ra-3/581154/

lightgear · Jan 15, 2008, 05:34 AM

Quote:

...the engine hood, fenders and other outer panels made from lightweight, impact-resistant and easily recyclable plastic resin.

that's interesting.

Reptile · Jan 16, 2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightgear

that's interesting.

Exactly.
It's like my good ol' 84 Fiero all over again!
woo hoo!

I want this car so bad.

DirectorSe7en · Jan 16, 2008, 11:01 PM

Needs a major redisign away from that Concept look, something more practical. Otherwise NICE!

Reptile · Jan 17, 2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirectorSe7en

Needs a major redisign away from that Concept look, something more practical. Otherwise NICE!

I can appreciate that everyone has different tastes when it comes to cars, so if this concept is not to your liking, then I can respect that.

But I am curious though:

What's not to like about this design?

I think the shape and proportions are gorgeous, and the front is just plain hot.
21" wheels and gullwing doors won't see production, of course, but they're still a nice element.

I think it bares a small resemblance to the 2G DSM's.

Coupled with the proposed technology (AWD, TC-SST, turbo diesel) I am personally very excited about this car.
I can only hope that the production model would look identical to this beautiful design piece.

dsycks · Jan 17, 2008, 03:17 PM

I'm just happy to see performance diesel get some love. We with RallyVW have been beating that drum for some time now and let me tell you... you can do a lot more with an oil burner than tow.

Reptile · Jan 17, 2008, 04:04 PM

I was kind of skeptical about a "clean diesel" from Mitsubishi, but apparently Honda just pulled the wraps off one they are developing as well, so it doesn't sound too far fetched.

I agree with you dsycks.....

If any episode of "trucks" has taught me anything, it's that you can do some crazy stuff with a good diesel.
The new Audi R8 v12 Tdi puts down 739lbs of driveway wrinkling torque, while getting 21mpg

dsycks · Jan 18, 2008, 05:59 AM

Our car, the RallyVW Golf TDI gets 30mpg in race conditions while other group 5 cars get maybe 4 or 5. While we are at it we run on biodiesel (soybeans!!) which we feel is important to the future of not only our nations energy security but also the planet as sustainable, clean fuels must be developed. As a matter of fact we ran 100% biodiesel at pikes peak last year and it ran flawlessly.

Please don't get me wrong... I found my TDI a good home and bought an Evo for a reason but for all around, every day performance and enjoyment on public roads... I think my TDI was a WONDERFUL car.

Making 300lb/ft of torque is really pretty easy and 50mpg is attainable without too much fuss. If you want to push the performance envelope a little and put on sticky tires a have big brakes like my car did you may only get 45mpg on the highway while cruising at 80mph with the AC on but maybe some folks would find that acceptable.

lords3t · Jan 18, 2008, 06:41 AM

^... um.. yeah... we would

DJ Brett B · Jan 18, 2008, 07:37 AM

Biodiesel!!!

Here is some news just released after the Detroit auto show (scroll down past the lancer ralliart stuff):

http://autoshow.autos.msn.com/autosh...mentid=5895824

If I were to buy a

down the road it wont be a X.... I'll have to see what the XI will be like versus a production version of this!!!! Glad to see another 2 door turbo awd Mitsu.... only this one will have SAWC and 2.2L tdi!!! SYCK!!!

Vostok 7 · Jan 18, 2008, 06:10 PM

I highly doubt IF the Concept RA makes it to production that it will look like that. Maybe in "spirit" but there's a lot of design ideas in the concept that would have to be changed to even be street legal, specifically the front end.

I'm all for it if they do, though. The idea of a turbodiesel AWD sports coupe really gets me going

Whoever says diesel isn't a good fuel for a sports car seriously needs to educate themselves.

- Patrick

EvoSjunkie · Jan 18, 2008, 07:04 PM

definiatly looks like the sole 2g dsm with really ugly wheels.