Mitsubishi joins the race with Gran Turismo concept

MITSUBISHI has added a fast plug-in hybrid beast to the impressive garage of virtual cars available to race in the Sony PlayStation 3 game Grand Turismo 6 with arrival of its Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo.

While you can only drive the Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Gran Turismo in the world of the game, it does indicate that a new-generation Evo sports model, complete with a high-performance plug-in powertrain, might still be in development – not necessarily as a Lancer – at the Japanese car-maker.

The concept is based on Mitsubishi’s Concept XR-PHEV plug-in hybrid which made its debut at the Tokyo motor show last year and previewed the design of the next-generation ASX crossover.

More World Rally Championship car than the Tokyo concept, the XR-PHEV Evolution model was produced by Mitsubishi Motors design team, Advanced Vehicle Research and Development Group and Aerodynamic Engineering Development Group using the same process they follow to make real world vehicles.

“In addition to the PHEV system which draws out optimum drive force from each of the four wheels the active yaw control system divides the left and the right side torque electronically to give complete control to the driver,” Mitsubishi’s technology policy planning department expert Yasuo Tanaka said.

With a sculptured body designed to emulate a poised athlete and made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic to keep weight down, the Concept XR-PHEV Evolution has a tough stance sitting on 20-inch aluminium wheels.

Mitsubishi has not revealed details of the Concept XR-PHEV’s motor, with the game's makers saying that torque is transmitted though an eight-speed dual clutch to all four wheels.

Mitsubishi’s latest racer is unlikely to make it to the real world anytime soon. The Japanese company has admitted it is concentrating on bigger-selling models, leaving the future of more hardcore performance cars like the Lancer Evolution in doubt for now, but future models may borrow the technology employed in the Gran Turismo game concept.

Other car-makers to enter the virtual racing world of Gran Turismo 6 recently include Volkswagen with its GTI Roadster supercar.

The Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo is available to be purchased now after Update 1.08 has been installed. The vehicle can also be gained following the completion of one lap in the new Seasonal Event of Grand Turismo 6 for a limited time.