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2008 Mitsubishi Concept-RA

The current, curvy Mitsubishi Eclipse is a sports car that's divided opinions. It's

Mitsubishi's RA sports a mean-looking, Lancer-inspired face. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

stylish and powerful, and it's also bigger and more comfortable than before, which has helped to increase its sales and market share, but enthusiasts haven't been particularly receptive of the new generation sports coupe. Compared to its first- and second-generation ancestors, it's grown softer and bulkier. Like humans, cars too can feel middle aged. But there's a sign that Mitsubishi might just be putting its sports car on a strict weight-loss and workout plan with a vehicle it's displaying at Detroit, the Concept-RA.

Billed to be the next-generation Eclipse, the Concept-RA, which stands for Ralliart, the brand's performance arm, takes a page right from the start of the Eclipse's life by going down the lean and mean high-performance route. Many will recall Mitsubishi's fast but affordable GSX-model turbocharged and all wheel drive Eclipses, which gave many bigger and more expensive sports cars a true run for their money and even enjoyed success on the rally car circuit. The Concept-RA encapsulates that spirit not only by stirring memories of the past, but by borrowing from another legendary name in Mitsubishi performance, the Lancer Evolution.

It's more luxurious than an Evo, but just as technologically sophisticated and technical. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

The fundamental component behind what makes the latest Evolution such a potent driving machine is the Super All Wheel Control system. Encompassing more than just traction, S-AWC also takes into account active handling and braking in order to give the car the best grip at takeoff, the best cornering capability possible and the ability to faithfully execute the driver's intentions. S-AWC's talents are derived from Mitsubishi's active center differential, which shifts power back and forth between the axles as needed, and the AYC active yaw control to distribute power seamlessly between the left and right rear wheels. And just like Evo X, the RA can select between tarmac, gravel and snow. Considering Mitsubishi launched the RA alongside an '81 Lancer Turbo rally car and a Starion touring car racer, this might be a subtle hint at the Japanese brand's racing hopes for road, trail and track.

The Evolution X is an exciting vehicle, no questions asked, but the Concept-RA is an even more dynamic car when it

RA uses an aluminum space frame to cut back on weight, something they've learnt from the iCar. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

comes to looks. The forward-tilting, shark-like nose of the Lancer can be found here, but in a much more aggressive layout due to the downwards sloping nose with its shorter overhang. Mitsubishi penned the shape of the car around two occupants, which allowed their designers to give it a wilder, more exotic profile. The RA has the same wheelbase as the Evo X, and is just 2.0 inches shorter than the high performance sedan, but its track has been stretched by 4.0 inches, furthering its wide stance. Instead of conventional steel, the Concept-RA's spaceframe is made of aluminum, while the bodywork features the use of lightweight thermoplastics. Mitsubishi also opted to equip the car with a set of beetle wing-like doors, which add drama to the exterior. The car rides on giant 21-inch wheels wrapped in immensely fat 285 width tires.

Driving the point home that Mitsubishi is serious about its new diesel technology is the fact that this, one of the sleekest and best-looking sports cars it's ever made, is powered by one. It isn't a big diesel at only 2.2 liters in displacement, but it is powerful and highly advanced. Mitsubishi might not be known for its diesels here in North America, but its expertise in building oil burners elsewhere in the world has trickled down into the RA. The

S-AWC means serious grip, no matter the conditions. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

engine is a DOHC design with four valves per cylinder and piezoelectric injectors for optimal combustion, but it also features MIVEC, Mitsubishi's variable valve timing system. MIVEC and other VVT systems aren't new when it comes to gasoline engines (they've been around since the '80s), but as far as diesels are concerned, an engine with low and high speed profiles is something that's in its infancy and, fortunately, works wonders to improve a diesel's typically low horsepower output. Even the turbocharger on this diesel is advanced, as it's a variable geometry unit, designed to reduce lag and improve responsiveness. The reward for implementing all of this high-tech stuff is 201 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. By comparison, the equally large four-cylinder diesel found in the Mercedes-Benz lineup makes 170 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.

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