POCKET ROCKET

The Mitsubishi i MiEV SPORT AIR Concept will be premiered at the forthcoming 2009 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Not a great deal of thought has been given by mainstream manufacturers to the proposition of a proper sports car as an electric vehicle (EV)… until now.


Taking a step beyond being merely ‘green’, this all-electric zero CO2 emission sports concept builds upon the fundamentals of the EV by marrying: the powerful acceleration and high torque inherent to electric motors and the safe driving dynamics that stem from i MiEV’s lithium-ion battery pack located within its long wheelbase and the low centre of gravity.
The i MiEV SPORT ‘AIR’ is a new-age “pocket rocket” and signals the direction in which the Mitsubishi sports EV may take in the future.
Source:newspress

DIESEL-POWER!

The Volkswagen team made motorsport history in Argentina on Sunday, claiming the first diesel-powered victory in the history of the world’s toughest motorsport event, the Dakar Rally. Not only that, but the team’s South African driver, Giniel de Villiers, led home a Volkswagen 1-2.
De Villiers, his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz, and their TDI-engined Race Touareg crossed the Buenos Aires finish line – after more than 5000 km of competitive rallying – nearly nine minutes ahead of the sister Volkswagen of USA/South Africa pairing Mark Miller and Ralph Pitchford. Third place went to American Hummer pilot Robby Gordon, who was more than 100 minutes adrift.

Volkswagen’s 2009 Dakar Rally achievement is the second time that the manufacturer has claimed a 1-2: in 1980, Swede Freddy Kotulinsky and Frenchman Patrick Zaniroli raced their Iltis machines to the top two overall. The Volkswagen win brings to a close seven years of domination by Mitsubishi.

Source:newspress

Mitsubishi Racing Lancer

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced a new era of motor sports design and engineering with its all-new crossover “Racing Lancer”. The new car takes its design from the Lancer Sportback and will be previewed at the Paris Motor Show this autumn. Mitsubishi anticipates the Racing Lancer will be ready in time to be a major contender at the 2009 Dakar Rally, due to be held in South America.

With this car, MMC has added a new dimension to its racing vehicles, blending the Pajero with a culmination of company ethos, which includes the recently introduced “Project Global” Lancer Family of Sports Saloon, Sportback, Ralliart and Evolution X.

The end result is a crossover between on-road and off-road rallying as well as both passenger cars and SUVs. The Racing Lancer appears to be more marketable than any of its predecessors and looks set to relaunch Lancer’s racing career.

The definitive international history of one of the world’s most successful rally cars, can be found in this book:

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
By Brian Long



The Lancer name conjures up many different images. For some, it evokes memories of the first generation cars, introduced in 1973, which fought with the best on the Safari Rally and came out the victors. Others will remember the second generation models – especially the turbocharged versions, the original Mitsubishi wolf in sheep’s clothing – and who could not be aware of the Evolution (Evo) series, launched in 1992? Forged in the fierce heat of WRC competition and honed by years of continuous development, the Lancer Evolution is not only one of the greatest rally cars of all time, it is also a desirable high-performance road car, too. Written in Japan with the full cooperation of Mitsubishi and key staff members, this is the definitive international story of all the world’s Lancers, whether they carried Mitsubishi, Dodge, Colt, Plymouth, Valiant, Eagle, Proton or Hyundai badges, with special emphasis on the Evolution models.

click here for more info

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo world record attempt

On Saturday 12th July at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire the Mitsubishi Lancer Register (UK based organization for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution enthusiasts) will be will be attempting to create a new World Record of having the largest parade of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution cars.
The event will also be raising money for The Richard Burns Foundation, will be supported by Mitsubishi and a Guinness World Record Adjudicator will be in attendance.

*Check out this book, published by Veloce Publishing!

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo

By Brian Long



Description

The definitive international history of one of the world’s most successful rally cars. Covers every Lancer model - including all special editions, and Dodge, Colt, Plymouth, Valiant, Eagle, Proton and Hyundai variants - from 1973 to date. Includes a Foreword by Shuusuke Inagaki, Mitsubishi's motorsport boss.

Synopsis

The Lancer name conjures up many different images. For some, it evokes memories of the first generation cars, introduced in 1973, which fought with the best on the Safari Rally and came out the victors. Others will remember the second generation models – especially the turbocharged versions, the original Mitsubishi wolf in sheep’s clothing – and who could not be aware of the Evolution (Evo) series, launched in 1992? Forged in the fierce heat of WRC competition and honed by years of continuous development, the Lancer Evolution is not only one of the greatest rally cars of all time, it is also a desirable high-performance road car, too. Written in Japan with the full cooperation of Mitsubishi and key staff members, this is the definitive international story of all the world’s Lancers, whether they carried Mitsubishi, Dodge, Colt, Plymouth, Valiant, Eagle, Proton or Hyundai badges, with special emphasis on the Evolution models.

click here for more info