Mitsubishi and its new MRX09 prepare for "Dakar"!
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and its motorsport unit MMSPР have announced about their plans.
A new cross-country rally car, the turbodiesel MRX09 "Racing Lancer" which prepared according the new FIA technical regulation valid from 2010, was on tests in Morocco.
This experimental car covered more than 8,000km in testing and competition, and the engineers in charge of the program have profited from this opportunity to develop a new suspension geometry designed to cope with the different weight distribution and torque characteristics associated with the new turbocharged diesel engine. They have also worked on a new engine compartment layout which is aimed at ensuring better cooling for the engine and auxiliary components. Technical improvements to the turbocharger have produced improved response at low revs, as well as more power at high engine speeds, while reliability has also been enhanced.
Following its extensive development program, the Racing Lancer will make its official debut on the Baja Portalegre / Portugal, round six of the 2008 FIA Baja Cup (Thursday October 30 - Sunday November 2). The car will be in the hands of Stéphane Peterhansel.
Continuing the build-up to the 2009 Dakar, the team has entered three petrol versions of the Pajero/Montero Evolution for Portugal's PAX Rally, the second event of the newly-created Dakar Series (Tuesday September 9 - Sunday September 14). The three cars will be driven by Stéphane Peterhansel (France), Luc Alphand (France), and Joan "Nani" Roma (Spain). The outing will enable the team to carry out work on the suspension and tires which will be carried over to the Racing Lancer.
The Racing Lancer itself will undergo further testing in Morocco between the end of August and the beginning of September, as well as over the latter part of October. Each test will last approximately two weeks and the car will cover some 4,000km each time
The main goal of the manufacture - win the "Dakar" Rally which starts in Buenos Aeries on 3rd of January 2009.
