Not only is the Dakar 2009 taking place in a new setting Mitsubishi also has a new car to take over from the successful Montero Evolution. After years of domination in the Dakar and other rounds of the World Championship, the Japanese manufacturer will put three of the new Mitsubishi Racing Lancer cars out in the race; a car developed over the last two years, and which was started totally from scratch.
The objective is clear: to get the first ever victory for a car using a diesel engine in the imminent Dakar race. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has developed, in collaboration with Repsol, a turbo-charged diesel engine which was first conceived back in April 2006. Its development included wotk in June last year with the first tests in the Montero Evolution, and two months later the development of the rest of the car got underway. Finally the first Racing Lancer was completely finished in June this year. After carrying out different tests, in France as well as Spain and Morocco, the Racing Lancer had the best possible christening, a victory the first time out; in the sixth round of the Copa FIA de Bajas, in Portalegre (Portugal), driven by the Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel.
The Racing Lancer uses the latest technology and allows Repsol to evolve and develop diesel fuels. It was designed on the base of the Lancer Sportback, and under the bonnet is a three litre V-six turbo-charged engine. The chassis is a new multi-tubular steel construction which has minimised the overall weight and increased the cabin space, thanks to the longer wheelbase (a result of the new regulations that come into force in 2010). This has allowed the petrol tank to be lowered and in consequence the car`s centre of gravity.
La 31st edition of the Rally Dakar starts in the capital city of Buenos Aires in Argentina on 3rd January, and will finish in the same place after almost 6 000km of timed sections. With the birth of the new Racing Lancer the countdown began and now the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart team is totally prepared to continue making history in the toughest race in the world.
Dimensions
Overall width: 1.990 t. Overall heigth: 4.475 t. Wheelbase: 2.900 t. Weigth: 1.900 kg.
Engine
Engine type: 6-cylinder Turbodiesel 24-Valve with dry-sump oil system Maximum power: 206kw (280 PS), 650Nm (66.3 kgfm) hp.
Suspension
Front: Independent, double wishbones, coil spring
Rear: Independent, double wishbones, coil spring and anti-roll bar system
Wheels
Front wheels: ‘OZ’ aluminum (7JJ x 16) in. Rear wheels: ‘OZ’ aluminum (7JJ x 16) in.
