The return of Ralliart in the car scene last year saw the introduction of cosmetic enhancement packages for Mitsubishi cars like the Montero Sport and Strada. Now, Ralliart has commenced its first rally program since its return at the 2022 Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) with modified Strada rally cars.
Mitsubishi Strada rally car
Catching up with developments in Thailand is Philkotse Content Manager Jacob Oliva. He got to meet the Ralliart team led by Team Director Hiroshi Masuoka, 2002 and 2003 Dakar Rally champion driver. The two competing Mitsubishi Strada rally cars also wowed spectators before embarking on the endurance rally race.
Stripped down for weight reduction
Looking at the rally car, you might think that it is very familiar. If you attended the 2022 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation (MMPC) presented the prototype version of the rally-spec Strada Ralliart. It was showcased along with the Ralliart editions of the Montero Sport and Strada.
The Mitsubishi Strada brings Ralliart back to the motorsports scene
Specs-wise, the Mitsubishi Strada rally car is equipped with features to help the truck endure the tough road conditions at the 2022 AXCR. These include lightened hood and doors, a roll cage, and under guards. A set of 17-inch alloy wheels is fitted, working in tandem with independent double-wishbone front suspension with coil springs and leaf springs for the rear suspension.
Under the hood, a 2.4-liter 4N15 turbodiesel MIVEC engine is used to power Ralliart’s two entries. It makes 178 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. While the engines didn’t receive power bumps, Ralliart says that the power units were slightly tuned to reduce friction and improve response in the mid-speed range. Drivers Rifat Sungkar and Chayapon Yotha are tackling off-road challenges with a 6-speed manual transmission.
One of the Ralliart drivers, Rifat Sungkar
The 2022 AXCR, which is now on its 27th iteration, consists of five legs running until November 26. Covering 1,700 km of all types of terrain such as mountain, jungle, swamp, and desert, the endurance rally race starts in Buriram, Thailand, and finishes in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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