Mitsubishi has released promotional sketches of its 2008 Detroit Auto Show concept, a stylish, aggressive-looking coupe with Evo X-inspired front-end styling called the Concept-RA. The rear end has some Porsche Boxster elements, particularly the spoiler. The body structure is based on an aluminum space frame with extruded aluminum sections and aluminum members, which provides at two-fold benefit of reduced weight and improved crash performance. The roof is made entirely of glass, with numerous body panels, including the hood and fenders, made out of an impact-resistant easily recyclable plastic resin.
Mitsubishi Concept-RA front three quarter drawing
Mitsubishi Concept-RA rear three quarter drawing
The Concept-RA shares much of its driveline with the Evo X, although it is powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel. Equipped with common-rail direct fuel injection and variable geometry turbocharger, Mitsubishi says the engine is good for 204 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to Mitsubishi's new twin-clutch SST transmission (used on the Evo X), which sends power to all four wheels via the Evo X's S-AWC all-wheel drive system.
Is the Concept-RA a hint at the fifth-generation Eclipse? Possibly. The plastic body panels are too close to Saturn's old box of tricks, but based on the drawings so far, we think it has got the looks to get the job done. The Evo X chassis and twin-clutch gearbox are a great starting point, and if the diesel makes way for a gasoline turbo-four, the ghosts of Eclipse generations one and two suddenly begin to stir.
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