Mitsubishi Concept-RA: The greener, fuel-sipping Evo?

February 11, 2008 Omar Rana

So how do you go green, when most of your popularity comes from your gas-guzzling performance cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X? Currently Mitsubishi doesn’t offer any hybrids or diesels in the U.S., but at recent auto shows, the Japanese auto maker has been showing concepts that outline its upcoming environmental-friendly push. In Tokyo, Mitsubishi revealed the Concept-cX and the Concept-ZT, both powered by clean diesel engines.

And it seems like Mitsubishi isn’t kidding around. In Detroit, the auto maker released the Concept-RA, which industry analysts say, outlines the next-generation Evo. Could it be that Mitsubishi will offer a fuel-sipping version of the next-generation Evo alongside the 300 horsepower beast?

If you take a close look at the Concept-RA, you’ll notice it has all the attributes of a sleek and stylish sports car. The Concept-RA even features the Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamics control system driveline and the Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission used in the new Lancer Evolution.

Powered by a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbodiesel engine, the Concept-RA produces 201 horsepower and maximum torque of 310 lb-ft.

Concept-RA also features an aluminum space frame made from extruded aluminum sections and die-cast aluminum members.

Mitsubishi has been keeping pretty quiet about what it plans to do with the Concept-RA, but we believe that positive public reaction during this auto show season could possibly put this study into production.

Mitsubishi Concept-RA Gallery: