New Racing Lancer for new-look Dakar Rally

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Media Release

Tuesday, 23 September 2008

New Racing Lancer for new-look Dakar Rally

Mitsubishi Motors, 12-time winner of the Dakar Rally, introduces the new Racing Lancer – a leaner, meaner and greener cross country rally machine that the company hopes will help it to an historic eighth successive victory in the event.

To meet that challenge, Mitsubishi has developed a 3.0L V6 turbo-biodiesel engine, which provides a mammoth 650Nm and a maximum power output of 206kW. If successful, Racing Lancer will become the first biodiesel-powered car to win the Dakar Rally – and the most eco-friendly.

Biodiesel is considered to be carbon-neutral because the plant matter used to produce it absorbs the carbon dioxide emitted when it is burned.

The awesome torque of this advanced engine is relayed to the wheels through a specially engineered Ricardo five-speed manual gearbox. The new machine will also be the first cross-country Mitsubishi competition car to feature Green Plastic – a material made from plant resins in components such as bumpers and mudguards.

The body is constructed using a new multi-tubular steel frame design, which minimises weight. There is also extensively revised geometry in the front and rear suspension systems based on a double wishbone layout with coil springs, anti-roll bars and improved dampers.

Defending champion Stephane Peterhansel will be among Mitsubishi’s team of four drivers ready to unleash the beast in South America on January 3 2009.

Racing Lancer will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on October 2.

The new Dakar Rally

In 2008, due to terrorist threats, the famous, Africa based, Dakar Rally was cancelled for the first time in its 29-year history. Keeping its iconic name, the new Dakar Rally course navigates the extreme terrain of Argentina and Chile.

Beginning in Buenos Aires, the 9,000km circuit traverses the rugged Atacama Desert and the Andes before returning to its starting point in the Argentinian capital.

ENDS

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