| Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will set free a | | | | advance driver input over torque and braking, |
| powerful concept car poised for launch at the | | | | while enhancing traction control, cornering |
| North American International Auto Show next | | | | and vehicle stability, the report continued. |
| month. The concept is designed to give | | | | |
| aficionados some hints about the forthcoming | | | | The Concept has a new body structure using an |
| Eclipse. | | | | aluminum space frame. Some exterior parts, |
| | | | including the hood and fenders, are made from |
| Called the "Mitsubishi Concept," the stunning | | | | plastic resin. According to the automaker the |
| coupe is powered by what the Japanese | | | | plastic resin has high impact resistance |
| automaker describes as a "new | | | | compared to the traditional material. The |
| high-efficiency, low-emissions 2.2-liter | | | | concept coupe also gets the S-AWC vehicle |
| four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbodiesel | | | | dynamics control system driveline and the |
| engine." The said engine, equipped with a new | | | | Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission |
| catalytic converter, generates 201 horsepower | | | | used in the Lancer Evolution X. |
| and 310 pound-feet of torque. It also gets a | | | | |
| new catalytic converter system. Mitsubishi | | | | The concept is also equipped with an aluminum |
| did not release fuel economy numbers, only | | | | space frame, and engine hood, fenders and |
| noting that the concept has "a high degree of | | | | other body panels constructed of plastic |
| fuel efficiency." | | | | resin, to enhance crash protection and reduce |
| | | | weight. With less weight, the smaller engine |
| The Eclipse sports coupe has been a | | | | does not have to work as hard to propel the |
| cornerstone of Mitsubishi's American lineup | | | | Concept-RA. The next-gen Eclipse will |
| since 1989 and helps to draw the Y | | | | showcase advanced auto technology developed |
| generation, often first-time buyers to the | | | | by the Japanese automaker. The technology |
| brand. The Concept-RA, designed in Japan with | | | | will also be featured on forthcoming models |
| a more aggressive profile than recent | | | | of the automaker. |
| concepts from the automaker, is powered by a | | | | |
| new 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine | | | | The sales of Mitsubishi's American division |
| that harks back to the Eclipse's roots, | | | | have rebounded 16 percent this year. So far, |
| reported The Detroit News. | | | | the maker of Mitsubishi pickup radiator hose |
| | | | has the Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder |
| The car's engine delivers power to all four | | | | convertible as the second best-selling models |
| wheels through a dual-clutch automated manual | | | | in its lineup, behind the Lancer. |
| transmission. The Concept-RA borrows many | | | | |
| parts from the Lancer Evolution and Evo X, | | | | The fifth-gen Eclipse was launched as a 2006 |
| including anti-lock brakes and stability | | | | model, and the next-gen version of the car, |
| control, but is also equipped with active | | | | meanwhile is not unexpected until 2010 or |
| steering and active suspension control to | | | | later. |