New Racing Lancer

Image released by Mitsubishi

Here's the new 'Racing Lancer' developed for the 2009 Dakar Rally. It has the codename MRX09, which stands for 'Mitsubishi Rally 'Cross Country'('X'). The suffix 09 stands for year 2009.

The Lancer (known in Japan as Gallant Fortis) takes over the competition baton from the Pajero/Montero and the Pajero/Montero Evolution.

It has been developed in compliance with the FIA's Group T1 regulations (modified cross-country rally cars) which also complies with the new rules due to come into force in 2010.

The MRX09 features a new, multi-tubular steel frame and will be powered by the 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged diesel engine, which is wedded with a Ricardo manual five-speed sequential transmission.

The engine is currently being tested on qualifying rounds of the 2008 Dakar Series and the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup.

BTW, Mitsubishi Motor has a new corporate communication tagline : 'Drive@earth'.