The S2000 regulations are aimed at reducing costs and encouraging more teams to participate in the WRC and other national rally championships. The S2000 is significantly cheaper than the current WRC cars and are no less spectacular.

Currently there are only two manufactures competing in the WRC – Citroen and Ford, but Toyota, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Skoda, Fiat, Proton, Lada, Suzuki, MG, Renault and Opel already have S2000 cars competing in various national rally championships that have already adopted the S2000 sporting regulations. Skoda has already tested its Fabia S2000 rally cars in various WRC events this year while Kimi Raikkonen recently tested the Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000 at the WRC event in Finland at the end of last month. Former WRC stalwarts, Mitsubishi and Subaru might also begin development of S2000 vehicles.

For the 2009 model, Mitsubishi have restyled the Eclipse’s exterior with a new front fascia that features a blacked-out front bumper like on the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X and Nissan GT-R. The front also features standard high intensity discharge (HID) head lamps. The rear also gets a new fascia and is now fitted twin exhausts, while the GT also receives a new large rear spoiler. On the inside the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse will feature upscale, textured materials and high-back front bucket seats.

Under the hood, the Eclipse GS is powered by a MIVEC 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 162 hp, and is matched to a 5-speed manual transmission, with a 4-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic™ console shifters also available as optional. But it’s the Eclipse GT that car tuners are more interested in. For 2009 the Eclipse GT will have a slightly more powerful MIVEC 3.8-liter V6 engine that now produces 265 hp (up from 263 hp) and 262 lb-ft. of peak torque at 4,500 rpm. The 3.8-liter V6 engine in the GT is matched to a 6-speed manual transmission, with a 5-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic™ console shifters also available as optional. The V6 engine with the standard 6-speed manual transmission propels the car from zero to 60 mph in about six seconds.

Both the GS and GT models will be equipped with ventilated front brake discs, solid rear brake discs, anti-lock (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). The Eclipse GS rides on 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/50R17 V-rated tires while the GT features 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 235/45R18 V-rated tires.

[Source: Mitsubishi Motors]

The exterior features a rigid body structure consisting of an aluminum space frame and outer panels made from lightweight, impact-resistant and easily recyclable plastic resin. The exterior design features Mitsubishi Motors’ new design identity and has the dynamic flowing lines you’d expect from a sports coupe. Up front the concept car has an inverted-slant nose and trapezoidal grille fascia, and an exposed engine cover. It also features broad, muscular wheel arches, and 21-inch light alloy wheels. The interior features fine-quality natural materials and a wraparound cockpit with minimal visual instrumentation.

Under the hood, the Concept-RA features a new 2.2-liter 16-valve turbo diesel engine with MIVEC4 and a Variable Diffuser / Variable Geometry (VD/VG) turbocharger. Power output s rated at a respectable 201 hp with maximum torque quoted at 310 ft-lbs. The engine also features a new catalytic converter system that combines a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), NOx trap catalyst (NTC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) technologies, enabling the Concept-RA to comply with Tier 2 Bin 5 emission regulations in the United States.

In essence the Concept-RA is related to the Mitsubishi Eclipse that is sold in US-market, and it seems likely that the car will be targeted at the US-market, although there’s no indication as to whether the Concept-RA will make it to production.

[Source: Mitsubishi Motors]

Mitsubishi has thrown all sorts of acronyms at it: S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control), ACD (Active Center Differential), AYC (Active Yaw Control), Sport ABS (Antilock Brake System), ASC (Active Stability Control), and of course MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control)! In plain English, that means the concept car features Mitsubishi’s all-wheel-drive system and the twin clutch automated manual transmission from the Lancer Evolution X.

The Concept-RA, however, is powered by a new high-output, high-efficiency clean diesel 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine with MIVEC continuously variable valve timing control. The engine features piezoelectric injector common-rail direct fuel injection, and a Variable Diffuser / Variable Geometry (VD/VG) turbocharger. Maximum power output is rated at 201 hp while maximum torque is 310 lb-ft.

The Concept-RA also features an aluminum space frame made from extruded aluminum sections and die-cast aluminum members, as well as an engine hood, fenders and other body panels made from impact-resistant, recyclable plastic resin. These provide the Concept-RA with crashworthiness while reducing vehicles weight.

[Source: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation]

Alongside the EVO X were two Mitsubishi Lancer rally cars, 1981 Lancer 2000 Turbo and the 2005 Lancer World Rally Car (WRC 05), that represent the Lancer EVO X’s long rally heritage. However, a forth Lancer, the WORKS Speed World Challenge (SWC) Lancer represents the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X’s assault on the race track!

Mitsubishi Motors North America have partnered with the automotive performance team, WORKS, to build and run the WORKS SWC Lancer in the SPEED World Challenge Series for 2008. WORKS are the very first EVO tuners in U.S. and will run a full racing schedule for 2008 with two-time United States Touring Car champion David Brown behind the wheel.

A lot for development has gone into the WORKS SWC Lancer already wit the car now boasting front and rear WORKS/Öhlins coilovers, WORKS two-piece disk brakes with Brembo aluminum calipers, a WORKS racing clutch with ‘Spin’ flywheel, a WORKS ‘Throw’ short shifter with ‘Grab’ shift knob, WORKS carbon fiber panels, Tilton pedal assembly and a custom roll cage installed by Impact Engineering, with a few more performance parts on the way.

[Source: WORKS]