Mitsubishi Concept-RA

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What is it?
Mitsubishi Concept-RA

What's special about it?
Although the current Mitsubishi Eclipse is more attractive and entertaining to drive than it has been since the late 1990s, it will never be accepted by hard-core enthusiasts. It's too big and heavy to be a real sport coupe, and a front-wheel-drive layout seals its fate. Mitsubishi knows this, and with the two-seat Concept-RA coupe, the company is taking a first step toward doing something about it.

If you look at the Concept-RA's basic measurements, it doesn't appear to be a terribly lightweight car. Sure, it's 5 inches shorter than a Mitsubishi Lancer, but its track has been pushed out an additional 3 inches, and exaggerated wheel arches house 21-inch wheels wrapped in 285/30R21 rubber. Then you stumble across the description "aluminum space frame," and it's obvious how Mitsubishi achieved a useful weight loss that suits this car's sporting intentions. In addition, the Concept-RA's body panels are made of recyclable plastic resin.

More interesting to old-school Eclipse fans, though, will be the return to turbocharged motivation, even if this coupe is just a concept for now.

This time the turbocharger is bolted onto a 2.2-liter inline-4 with four valves per cylinder. The engine incorporates variable intake valve lift, while the variable-geometry turbo can alter exhaust gas flow to improve boost response. The result is 201 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque — healthy numbers for a diesel of this displacement. Mitsubishi says the engine would meet U.S. emissions standards with the help of a NOx catalyst and a particulate filter.

Since the Concept-RA has more torque than the current Eclipse GT or even an Evolution X, Mitsubishi's six-speed, dual-clutch sequential gearbox drives all four wheels through a next-generation version of the company's all-wheel-drive system.

In addition to the adjustable center differential (ACD) and active yaw control (AYC) rear differential previously seen on the Evo, the Concept-RA's setup adds active steering and suspension control to the mix. We have yet to experience an active steering system we actually like, but given how natural and intuitive the Evo X feels with active yaw control, maybe Mitsubishi can change our minds.

What's Edmunds' take?
We really do hope Mitsubishi can find a less costly way to save weight than an aluminum space frame. That said, the thought of a Mitsu coupe with a turbocharged engine — even a diesel — and all-wheel drive makes us happy. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor