Mitsubishi Motors Unveils Six Custom Concepts at 2005 SEMA Show
All-New 2006 Eclipse Gets Ralliart Treatment While Raider Pickup Shows Versatility as Off-Road Extremist and Stylish Street Ride
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 1 -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is creating new thrills and inspiration for the tuner market by unveiling six new concept vehicles at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. Mitsubishi also announced today the rollout of a new Ralliart performance parts and accessories program for the North American market.
"The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and prior-generation Eclipses are well established in the tuner market because they provide great performance and are easily modified," said Wayne Killen, MMNA vice president of marketing. "These six concepts, based on the all-new 2006 Eclipse sporty coupe and Raider midsize pickup truck, demonstrate several possibilities for an enthusiast who wants to customize these great models."
Three of the concepts were created by Mitsubishi Motors' design center in Cypress, Calif. -- the Eclipse Ralliart, Rally Raider and the Street Raider. A fully accessorized Raider illustrates how factory-designed accessories can optimize the Raider truck. Mitsubishi also is highlighting the creativity of partner tuners by showcasing the Road Race Engineering Eclipse and the Rockford Fosgate Eclipse at the Mitsubishi booth.
Eclipse Ralliart Concept
Ralliart is the motorsports arm of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Worldwide, Ralliart vehicles feature enhanced performance, specialty equipment and sporty styling elements that include more powerful engines, sport-tuned suspensions as well as special fascia and styling cues. The best-selling import coupe for the past 15 years, Eclipse was redesigned for 2006 -and Mitsubishi design engineers wasted no time giving Eclipse the Ralliart treatment.
"To be considered Ralliart, a vehicle must offer improved engine performance and handling, sportier styling, interior enhancements and bold paint," explained Dan Sims, general manager of MMNA's design center. "The Eclipse Ralliart concept passes that test with flying colors."
Special attention was paid to increasing horsepower and torque, adding all-wheel drive capability for improved power in a variety of driving conditions while minimizing weight. To boost horsepower to an estimated 400 hp, a turbocharged 4G63 engine was borrowed from the Lancer Evolution and supplemented with a custom air intake and other HKS performance parts. The concept Eclipse's rally prowess is enhanced with the all-wheel drive system currently available on the Endeavor and Lancer Evolution as well as a six-speed manual transmission. Lightweight carbon fiber was used extensively in the roof, hood, fascias and front fenders.
The custom exterior is enhanced by Hot Red Mica paint, specially formulated by PPG for this concept. The Eclipse Ralliart rides on 20-inch high-performance carbon fiber wheels with AVS Sport Yokohama tires. Interior enhancements include Recaro performance seats trimmed with leather and Alcanterra suede, four-point restraints, racing gauges and a Rockford Fosgate premium sound system.
Rally Raider
Inspired by a grueling intercontinental rally, Mitsubishi created the Rally Raider concept, styled to look like it could compete in the annual Dakar Rally that starts in Europe, spans the deserts of northern Africa and culminates weeks later in Dakar, the Senegal capital.
"The Rally Raider is the state-of-the-art, off-road truck, equally at home in Baja or the Dakar Rally," Sims said.
The 40 percent scale-model concept calls for a custom tube chassis, integral racing cage and carbon fiber body work. The fenders are pushed out five inches to accommodate a wider track, double wishbone four-wheel independent suspension and 19-inch forged race wheels shod with 35-inch off-road racing tires. Mitsubishi's 3.8-liter MIVEC V-6, modified for racing duty, would power the rally truck, and massive 14-inch brakes with four-piston calipers enhance braking capability. Underbody skid plates protect against harsh and unpredictable racing conditions.
Street Raider
Starting with a 2006 Mitsubishi Raider double cab pickup truck, Mitsubishi designers transformed it into the ultimate, hot rod street truck.
"While the Rally Raider concept is intended for performance extremists who aren't afraid to get dirty, the Street Raider stands out with its 'clean shaven' appearance. It is designed to be the ideal truck for towing your EVO to the track in style," said Sims.
Inspired by classic customizers and hot rodders, Mitsubishi designers "shaved" the door handles, fuel filler door and other body protrusions for the Street Raider's smooth look. The front and rear bumpers are blended flush with the body, and the custom grille is accented with black chrome. PPG White Tech Pearl paint coats the exterior for a provocative but clean appearance. The interior is customized with brown and pearl white leather trim and a premium Rockford Fosgate sound system for the ultimate in modern comfort and entertainment.
Overall ride height has been lowered two inches. The Street Raider's custom air suspension provides agile handling and an aggressive appearance while preserving the truck's payload capacity. Designed exclusively for the Street Raider, seven-spoke alloy wheels are matched to 22-inch tires all around.
"Accessorized" Raider
A 2006 Raider also will be outfitted with genuine Mitsubishi parts and accessories, featuring parts designed by the same MMNA design team that designed the Raider. The truck showcases many available accessories, including a bed liner, bed extender, hood protector, fender flares and a four- inch exhaust finisher.
Road Race Engineering Eclipse
Mitsubishi is displaying creations from two partner tuners within its SEMA booth. Road Race Engineering of Sante Fe Springs, Calif., has stripped down and modified an all-new 2006 Eclipse GT to U.S. Touring Car Championship (USTCC) racing specifications. Mitsubishi's high-output 3.8-liter SOHC MIVEC V-6 engine (6G75) is supplemented with several Road Race Engineering performance parts such as cold air intake, programmable fuel controller and exhaust system. Exterior graphics were provided by Modern Image.
Rockford Fosgate Eclipse
A leader in aftermarket car audio systems for 25 years, Rockford Fosgate teamed with Mitsubishi to offer their first factory-installed system in the 2006 Eclipse. Now Rockford Fosgate is demonstrating how tuners can further amplify sound with aftermarket options, including four PUNCH(R) 400-watt subwoofers, PUNCH(R) front and rear speakers, 300- and 400-watt amplifiers and a 3Sixty interactive signal processor. This concept also sports 20-inch Urban Racer Type 10 wheels, enhanced suspension and brakes, tuned intake and exhaust and custom exterior paint.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, and research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States and Canada. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, sport utility vehicles and pickups through a network of approximately 570 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.
ECLIPSE RALLIART
Exterior:
-- Hot Red Mica paint (by PPG)
-- Carbon fiber roof panel
-- Carbon fiber hood
-- Carbon fiber front fenders
-- Carbon fiber front and rear fascias
-- Carbon fiber rear wing
-- Carbon fiber mirrors
-- 20 x 9 carbon fiber wheels
-- AVS Sport 255/35R20 Yokohama tires
Interior:
-- Recaro leather and Alcanterra trimmed seats
-- Custom harness bar
-- Four-point harnesses
-- Rear seat delete
-- Rear seat filler panel with integrated storage
-- Lancer Evolution steering wheel
-- Racing gauges
-- Rockford Fosgate sound system
Performance:
-- Turbocharged 4G63 engine (inline 4-cyl.)
-- Estimated 400 hp
-- All-wheel drive
-- HKS turbocharger kit
-- HKS 264 cams
-- Custom 2.75-inch turbo-back exhaust
-- Custom air intake
-- ARP head studs
-- HKS air-fuel controller
-- High-flow fuel pump
-- High-flow injectors
-- HKS dyno tuned
-- Endeavor rear suspension
-- Lancer Evolution VIII rear differential
-- Evo VIII MR 6-speed manual transmission
-- RPS triple plate carbon-fiber clutch
-- Road Race Engineering/Muellerized coil-over kit
-- Brembo brakes: front: 8-piston calipers, 15-inch slotted rotors
rear: 4-piston calipers, 13.5-inch slotted rotors
RALLY RAIDER
Exterior:
-- Carbon fiber exterior
-- Ladder frame
-- Integral racing cage that holds spare tires
-- Fenders widened five inches
-- 19-inch forged race wheels
-- 35-inch off-road racing tires
-- Aerodynamic bed fairing
-- Underbody skid plates
-- Ralliart Red paint
Interior:
-- Specially-built racing cage
Performance:
-- Highly modified 3.8-liter MIVEC V-6 twin turbo built to Dakar Rally-
racing specifications
-- Full-time all-wheel drive
-- Wider track
-- Heavy duty, double wishbone, 4-wheel independent long-travel
suspension
-- Two long-travel off-road racing shocks per wheel w/ remote reservoirs
-- Front and rear 14-inch brakes w/ 4-piston calipers
STREET RAIDER
Exterior:
-- "Shaved" street rod exterior body concept
-- White Tech Pearl paint (by PPG)
-- Ride height lowered two inches
-- Large, aggressive tires
- front: 265/40 22
- rear: 305/ 40 22
-- 22-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels
-- Flush front and rear bumpers
-- Unique front grille w/ black chrome insert
-- Lowered side sills, front lower air dam and flush rear bumper
-- "Shaved" door handles and fuel filler door
-- Dual exhausts and flush license plate integrated into rear bumper
fascia
Interior:
-- "Modern comfort" concept
-- Brown and Pearl White leather w/ black chrome accents
-- Alcanterra headliner
-- Relaxed comfort "first class seating" front and rear
-- Rockford Fosgate sound system
Performance
-- 4.7-liter V-8
-- Tuned dual exhausts
-- Custom air suspension for aggressive stance and cornering while
preserving payload capability
"ACCESSORIZED" RAIDER
The following accessories that appear on this 2006 Raider concept for
SEMA are only some of those available as genuine Mitsubishi parts and
accessories.
Exterior:
-- Bed liner
-- Side steps
-- Hood protector
-- Bed rail protectors
-- Bed extender
-- Front fascia skid plate
-- Trailer hitch
-- Fender flares
-- Mud guards
-- Tire locks
-- License plate frame with logo
-- 4-inch exhaust finisher
-- Side window deflectors
-- Tow hooks
Interior:
-- Logo floor mats
-- Door scuff plates
ROAD RACE ENGINEERING ECLIPSE
Exterior:
-- 2006 Eclipse GT built to U.S. Touring Car Championship racing
specifications
-- Graphics by Modern Image
-- Carbon Trix front lower lip spoiler
-- Rotora 3-D2 GT carbon fiber wing
-- UV Blue paint
Interior:
-- Road Race Engineering FIA-approved custom roll cage
-- Fully de-contented interior
-- Racetech FIA-approved Kevlar competition seat with 5-point harness
-- Zeitronix data-logging display
-- Greddy oil pressure and coolant temperature gauges
Performance:
-- ACT 6 Puck Extreme clutch
-- ACT 6 XACT Chromoly flywheel
-- Quaife limited slip differential
-- RC Engineering big bore throttle body
-- Road Race equal length headers
-- Road Race exhaust system
-- Road Race cold air intake
-- Fluidyne aluminum radiator
-- Road Race programmable fuel controller
-- Road Race-Muellerized coilover suspension system
-- Progress Group front and rear sway bars
-- Energy Suspension bushings
-- Road Race SS brake lines
-- Rotora big brake kit (front and rear)
- 13-inch slotted directional floating discs
- ceramic H2 race pads
- 4-piston metallic blue calipers
-- Enkei RP03 19 x 8.5 wheels
-- Toyo T1-R 245/35/19 tires (street spec)
* Parts scheduled to be on vehicle at time of writing. For updates
please check wheel stands next to car in the Mitsubishi booth.
ROCKFORD FOSGATE ECLIPSE
Exterior:
-- Custom paint by Drew Brother Customs
-- 20-inch Urban Racer Type 10 wheels
-- Toyo Proxy 235/35 20 tires
Interior:
-- Four Rockford Fosgate PUNCH(R) 400-watt subwoofers
-- Rockford Fosgate PUNCH(R) front-door speakers
-- Rockford Fosgate PUNCH(R) rear speakers
-- Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty interactive signal processor
-- Rockford Fosgate 300-watt amplifier
-- Rockford Fosgate 400-watt amplifier
-- Enduratex perforated vinyl inserts on charcoal leather with matched
dash/door pieces
Performance:
-- Custom intake and exhaust by UMS Tuning
-- Stop-Tech 4-wheel high-performance brakes
-- Tein suspension with high-performance coilovers
* Parts scheduled to be on vehicle at time of writing. For updates
please check wheel stands next to car in the Mitsubishi booth.