All-New 2006 Eclipse Gets Ralliart Treatment

November 1, 2005 -- Las Vegas, NV --

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.

Mitsubishi Motors Launches Ralliart Performance Parts And Accessories Program For North American Market

Tuner Parts Program Premieres On New Yahoo! Autos Custom Web Site

November 1, 2005 -- Las Vegas, NV --

Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) today announced the much-anticipated rollout of the Ralliart performance parts and accessories program for the North American market in conjunction with the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The parts program premieres on Yahoo!, through Yahoo! Autos Custom (http://autos.yahoo.com/custom) - a new site created specifically for automotive performance enthusiasts. The debut features a sweepstakes where the winner receives a one-of-a-kind 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with Ralliart parts, and culminates with the Yahoo! Autos Custom Challenge, a unique head-to-head competition, sanctioned by NOPI Motorsports, between two customized Lancer Evolutions on the famous Las Vegas Strip.

Ralliart is the motorsports arm of Mitsubishi and will provide additional performance and appearance features, such as more powerful engines, suspensions and special exterior enhancements on Ralliart vehicles. "Ralliart allows us to apply the knowledge we've gained from our renowned racing heritage to street vehicles," said Wayne Killen, vice president, marketing for MMNA. "For years, enthusiasts have been trekking the globe for genuine Ralliart performance parts to customize Mitsubishi vehicles. True factory Mitsubishi Ralliart parts will now be available right here in North America."

As part of the Yahoo! Autos sponsorship, Mitsubishi decked out a 2006 Lancer Evolution customized with Ralliart performance parts for the promotion. This vehicle will be given away in a special sweepstakes in conjunction with SEMA (details can be found on the Yahoo! Autos Custom site). This unique Lancer Evolution was customized with Ralliart parts as a collaboration between the Mitsubishi Performance Parts team with support from the Mitsubishi Motors' design center in Cypress, Calif.

The Yahoo! Autos Custom Challenge, sanctioned by NOPI Motorsports, features a competition between two highly modified Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions on the famous Las Vegas Strip. Two of NOPI Drag Racing Association's top drivers, Paul Efantis and Chris Rado, battle in a three-day contest to create the fastest, hottest-looking Evo in existence. The event concludes on Nov. 4, at 2 a.m. in a head-to-head challenge on a 1/8-mile section of the Las Vegas Strip for this first-of-its-kind, late-night spectacle.

"The tuner culture has been gaining immense popularity in recent years," said Dan Sims, general manager for Mitsubishi Motors' Cypress design center. "By generating excitement through Yahoo! Autos Custom, Mitsubishi can inspire the creative vehicle individuality that today's customizing consumers crave."

"The phased rollout will begin with Ralliart parts and components offered for the Lancer Evolution and the new U.S.-built 2006 Eclipse, the perfect sports platforms for serious tuning," stated Don Swearingen, vice president, parts for MMNA. "In time, more Mitsubishi vehicles can be customized through the Ralliart performance parts and accessories program. While the Mitsubishi performance parts group will use some existing global Ralliart parts, we are seeking partners in North America for official production agreements to start producing all-new Ralliart parts as early as spring of 2006."

The Ralliart performance parts and accessories program will fall into three categories: limited full warranty (similar to current Genuine Mitsubishi Parts and Accessories); limited warranty; and parts subject to no warranty. Exclusive vendors selected to work with Mitsubishi to develop parts and accessories will have racing heritage and are required to have in-house engineering and testing capabilities. Interested vendors can email Mitsubishi at Ralliart@mmsa.com.

A new Mitsubishi Web site, www.ralliartusa.com, will feature various racing videos, a Lancer Evolution photo history gallery and photos of Ralliart parts in development. Features will be added to the Web site as the program develops. The Web site goes live Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States. Mitsubishi Motors currently sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, trucks and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 570 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit http://media.mitsubishicars.com.

Mitsubishi
Tokyo, Japan
Status: not an ad
Tags: 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse Ralliart Concept at SEMA, car, concept car, sports car, coupe, ARTICLE