There is a saying that goes it is not so difficult to reach the top, the hard part is to stay there, and when a car wins the toughest race in the race in the world twelve times, the last seven consecutively, it is then obvious that exceptional work has been done year after year to perfect a car whose superiority has been more than proved in the African endurance test. In this year`s Dakar Mitsubishi used the latest version of the Montero Evolution, the MPR13, and did so complying with the objective that it was built for: winning the Dakar 2007. For 2008, the company has just carried on polishing its diamond.
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This vehicle weighs 1 900kg, has a 6 cylinder engine, 24 valves and a peak power of 270bhp. In the 2008 Lisbon Dakar there are new rules that oblige the cars to use a 5 speed gearbox – instead of a 6 speed – and a smaller flange that limits the engine power. This was the big challenge when preparing the MPR13 for 2008, as is explained by Thierry Viardot, technical director of MMSP, a balance has had to be found between performance and reliability. This has been a problem for the MPR13 petrol engine as each gear is subjected to greater limitations in a 5 speed gearbox, but the result has brought forth some good results, like Peterhansel`s victory in the Rally Dubai a few weeks ago.However, the improvements have not been just to comply with the new regulations as the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart team has been working the whole year on developing the MPR13. The balance and weight distribution has been thoroughly worked on along with the suspension, up to the point where the car is now both safe and comfortable to drive on the type of distances found in the Dakar.
The traction and cooling system has been reinforced, this includes the engine, shock absorbers and other parts so as to lower the level of heat found in the car. The most recent developments have been on the suspension, the aim being to make it easier to drive and to minimise the tension on the drivers.The continuous work has now reached a point where according to Viardot, there is very little margin for any more improvements, having achieved a point where the main characteristics on the Mitsubishi Montero Evolution MPR13 2008 are a good power level and goodlevel of reliabilty. The team has done 7 000 kilometres of tests in Morroco, as well as in France, on all the types of surface found in the Dakar and this allowed the strength of the latest solutions to be evaluated, compared to a base level – that of the 2007 model – which had already received notable improvements in comparison to the Montero MPR12.For last year`s Dakar the Repsol drivers had a Montero that contained several improvements on the cooling system as well as a new chassis design, new air flow, and a modified location for the radiator assembly. Moreover the weight distribution was varied, lowering the centre of gravity by moving the fuel tank and the brackets that held the spare wheel. Even the interior comfort was improved with the space for the legs and head being made bigger. The MPR13 began its development in May 2005, and was tested in 2006. It started several races in the World Championship before Peterhansel won the Dakar one year ago.
During 2007 it won the Baja España Madrid – Aragón, the Pampas Rally and the UAE Desert Challenge in Dubai, as well as second position in the Transiberian Rally thanks to Nani Roma.The objective is none other than to extend this car`s domination of what is the toughest rally in the world for another year. This car has shown that adapts better than any other to the exceptional demands of a race which this year reaches its thirtieth edition. The drivers given the task of doing this are the same as last year`s, a family made up of Stéphane Peterhansel and his co-driver Jean Paul Cottret, Luc Alphand and Gilles Picard, Hirsohi Masuoka and Pascal Maimon, Nani Roma and Lucas Cruz.
MITSUBISHI MONTERO EVOLUTIONMODEL MPR13 2008
Technical specifications
OVERALL LENGTH 4 195mm
OVERALL WIDTH 1 990mm
WHEELBASE 2 775mm
FRONT TRACKING 1 750mm
REAR TRACKING 1 750mm
ENGINE Based on the MIVEC, 6-cylinder, 24-Valves, DOHC, variable distribution with dry crankcase.
FUELLING Electronic multipoint injection
DISPALCEMENT 3 997cc.
PEAK TORQUE 199KW (270bhp at 5 500rpm, 417Nm (42.5kgfm) at 3 500rpm.
TRANSMISSION 5-speed, Ricardo type, sequential gear change and mechanical type selector.
TYPE OF TRACTION Permanent 4X4, with mechanic blocking of central differential
FRONT DIFFERENTIAL Self-blocking Xtrac differential
REAR DIFFERENTIAL Self-blocking Xtrac differential
SUSPENSIONFRONT Independent, double wishbone, helicoidal spring
REAR Independent, double wishbone, helicoidal spring
SHOCK ABSORBERS 2 shock absorbers per wheel, adjustable and anti-roll bar system
TRAVEL 250mm front and rear
STEERING Power assisted rack and pinion
BRAKES Front/rear: ventilados Brembo discs with 6 piston caliper
WHEELS Aluminium 7×16′ TYRES BF Goodrich 235/85 – 16
MINIMUM WEIGHT 825kg.
OTHERS
Aeronautic multitubular steel structure; honeycomb floor; and carbon fibre bodywork
TANK CAPACITY 500 litres (giving a range of approx. 800km in competition. 400kg. extra with full tank)
