Mitsubishi pins rally-raid hopes on Lancer

Mitsubishi's rugged Pajero has been synonymous with the Dakar Rally and the FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup, but the tri-diamond brand has just unveiled its latest off-road endurance weapon -- and it's based (at least visually) on the bread-and-butter Lancer.

The turbodiesel 'Racing Lancer' will make its official debut in round six of the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup (in Portugal, from Oct 30 to Nov 2), with Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart driver and nine-times Dakar winner Stephane Peterhansel in the hot seat.

Mitsubishi says the Super Production Cross-Country Rally car has been developed to comply with official FIA racing regulations and abides with new rules set to come into force in 2010.

It's powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine that Mitsubishi began developing during the qualifying rounds of the 2008 Dakar Series and the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup.

The V6 oiler puts out 194kW, which may not sound like much, but the real kicker is the 650Nm of torque on tap, and this is fed to the wheels via the Lancer's permanent four-wheel-drive system with limited slip central differential.

Meanwhile, the carbonfibre bodywork is meant to be reminiscent of the Lancer Sportback, which launches in Europe over the coming months.

Mitsubishi regular Hiroshi Masuoka has competed twice with the turbodiesel engine (albeit installed in a Pajero/Montero Evolution) and is enthusiastic about the newcomer's potential: "The diesel version is overwhelmingly easy to drive thanks to its tremendous torque, which is available over an even broader rev-band.

"It outperforms the petrol-powered car in terms of controllability over challenging terrain, as well as when accelerating out of corners and along high-speed straights. With the right set-up it would be comfortably faster."

Ironically, security concerns mean the next instalment of the Dakar Rally will be held in the wide, open spaces of South America, rather than following its traditional route from Europe through to north and western Africa.

The 'rally raid' is a true test of endurance as competitors cover up to 900km per day, and that, too, over gruelling terrain.

The Racing Lancer will be in good hands as Stephane Peterhansel is statistically the Dakar's winningest competitor with a total of nine outright wins (seven of those came on two wheels).

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