A New Dimension for Diesel

Let's just get this out of the way right now: Whatever production vehicle the Mitsubishi Concept-RA becomes is not going to replace the Eclipse. But with its potent turbocharged engine, performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system, and bold, sweeping design, the Concept-RA may be truer to the Eclipse legacy than the front-wheel-drive cruiser that currently wears the Eclipse badge.

But that's not even the big news. What's more interesting is how the Concept-RA is going to recreate the Eclipse's dynamic character: with a diesel engine. The Concept-RA was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and from initial impressions, it looks like the car has what it takes to deliver on its promises.

The Concept-RA is built on the Lancer Evolution sedan platform, and it's the company's first diesel-powered car to be introduced in the U.S. It uses so-called "clean diesel" technology to take full advantage of the new ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel that the EPA mandated last year. A 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine will make 204 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque; no fuel economy figures have been released.

Diesel has traditionally been seen as good for fuel economy, but harmful to the environment. "These are not the diesel trucks of old," says Mitsubishi spokesperson Janis Little, referring to the noisy cars from a few decades ago that sputtered "old smelly diesel" exhaust. Diesels of yore were also known for belching black soot, and these clouds of "particulates" would often settle on cars' rear bumpers right above the tail pipe. Modern cars are much more refined, and the Concept-RA is no exception. It uses new diesel filter technology and a catalytic converter system that "helps clean the particulates out," Little says.

But emissions is only half the story. Mitsubishi wants to provide performance as well, and as such the Concept-RA will feature Super All Wheel Control, which combines all-wheel drive with Active Stability Control and an active braking system. This means the Concept-RA will manage torque, traction, braking, and vehicle stability to give it optimum handling at all times. "What we're going to show with this concept is that you can have a sexy style and all the bells and whistles of the Lancer Evolution, but this car takes it one more step to active steering and active suspension," Little says.

Of the Concept-RA's performance, Mitsubishi spokesperson Maurice Durand says it will be unique because of the characteristics inherent to a diesel engine, which puts out more torque than horsepower. This means the Concept-RA should be extremely fun to drive at low speeds, like around town. Its performance will be further bolstered by its light weight. To reduce curb weight, Mitsubishi composed a new body structure using an aluminum space frame, and body panels are made of high-impact plastic.

Looks-wise, its low-slung muscularity screams performance. The front end is an attenuated version of the face found on the new Lancer, and the rear has subtle Boxster overtones, which few aesthetes will complain about.

The Concept-RA also speaks to what may be a soon-emerging diesel trend. While gas-electric hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid have been major players in the "greening" of the car market in the U.S., diesel engines have been more widely accepted abroad. They are found in nearly half of the new cars sold in Europe, but only in about 3.2 percent of U.S. cars and light trucks, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Performance diesels are almost unheard of in the U.S., but cars like the Concept-RA and the Audi R8 V12 TDI, also debuting in Detroit, may soon change this.