Mitsubishi's turbodiesel Racing Lancer is its new weapon for next year's Dakar rally. The latest in a recent onslaught of diesel-powered racers will make its official debut in round six of the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup with nine times Dakar winner, Stéphane Peterhansel, at the wheel.
The rally car is powered by a new turbodiesel that's already been tested in various versions of Mitsubishi's Pajeros and Montero Evolutions. But the Repsol-sponsored rally outfit says competition use is the only way to really test a racing car.
Other team drivers, Hiroshi Masuoka and Joan Roma, have made positive comments about the latest powerplant claiming that with the right setup it will certainly be faster than petrol counterparts, thanks to huge torque available over a broader rev band.
The team has also developed a new engine compartment layout that ensures better cooling while improvements in turbocharging technology mean there is now higher response at low revs and more power at high engine speeds. Crucially for events like the Dakar, Mitsubishi is confident of reliability enhancements made to this unit.
The Racing Lancer will make its race debut in round six of the season, in Portugal, between 30 October and 2 November.
Dejan Jovanovic - 22 Aug 2008