Mitsubishi’s Rallyart division is back in rally racing.Won the 2022 Asia Cross Country Rally with a modified Triton.
The rally trail is covered. 1700 km area from Thailand to CambodiaOver six days and different weather conditions with mountain, jungle, swamp, beach, river, desert, plantation, tarmac and circuit environments.
It is classified as an FIA Group T1 rally car, with modifications included. A lighter bonnet, carbon fiber doors, a roll cage, underbody protection, and a revised version of the Triton’s four-cylinder diesel engine..
29
While the power output of the 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine remains the same. 133kW and 430Nmrevisions include reduced friction and improved response in the mid-speed range.
Further mechanical changes include a Front and rear limited-slip differentials, front and rear adjustable dampers, large front and rear ventilated disc brakes with four-piston calipers, 17-inch work alloy wheels, And Yokohama Geolander Tires.
While the Mitsubishi Ralliart team is privately owned by Tent Sports in Thailand, it receives technical support from Mitsubishi Motors. The team is directed by Hiroshi Masuka, back-to-back Dakar Rally champion driver in 2002 and 2003.
29
The winning car was driven by Thai driver Chayapon Yotha and co-driver Peerapong Sombutwong, who completed the six stages in a time of 8:22.42, while the second car from Indonesia was finished fifth by Rafat Sangkar and co-driver Chipong Chaiwan. .
“In order to win among competitors with larger engine displacement, I focused on minimizing mistakes well and completing each corner and stage carefully,” said Yutha.
“We were able to get good results in this rally because of the Triton’s excellent handling performance. It was very easy to control, allowing me to follow the line in any road surface conditions – tarmac, gravel or mud. was allowed.”
Team director Hiroshi Masovka said the return of the Ralliart name was important for Mitsubishi.
29
“I thought it would be good enough for us to get into the upper rankings, but I’m very happy that the team won overall.”
What about the production version?
Mitsubishi Australia has hinted that the Ralliart nameplate may return. Locally produced, hot-up versions of the Triton and Outlander.
A possible Triton Ralliart could be made by local third parties, such as Walkinshaw, Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior and Volkswagen Amarok W-Series in similar style.
“From our perspective, the Ralliart means some tangible performance gains,” Mitsubishi Australia chief product planner, Owen Thompson, said at the launch of the Outlander PHEV in August.
29
“Whether it’s for the chassis or the powertrain or whatever. That’s our basic position about MMAL. [Mitsubishi Australia] Want to see the market? How that happens is something we’re still working on with MMC. [Mitsubishi HQ in Japan]”
However, Thompson was quick to stress that the conversation surrounding Ralliart is still in its early stages.
“We’ve expressed a desire around where we want to go, but we don’t have anything else to say at this point in time about what that will look like,” he said.