Pajero has long dominated the Dakar. Now Mitsubishi have unveiled its successor.

Its next-generation racer, the all-new crossover "Racing Lancer", blends 35 years of Lancer rally prowess with 25 years of Pajero off-road epics.

The end result is a cross over between on-road and off-road rallying that also applies to passenger cars and SUVs. The Racing Lancer will reach a wider marketing audience than any of its predecessors while re-launching Lancer's racing career.

Sporting a silhouette inspired by the recently previewed Lancer Sportback five-door hatch, Racing Lancer will support Mitsubishi's offensive in the passenger car sector, much like the Pajero Evolution in parallel to the production Shogun in 2006.

The Racing Lancer is also planned Mitsubishi's flag bearer for diesel technologies. From the all-new 4N13 Euro V 4-cylinder engine to be launched in 2009 to Racing Lancer's 3.0 litre turbo-charged V6 diesel race engine, all will share the same fundamental know-how of the company's diesel technology. The engine is currently finalising development on qualifying rounds of the 2008 Dakar Series and the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup.

And the Racing Lancer's name? MRX09 is Mitsubishi's new codename for its latest cross-country rally challenger. 'MRX09' stands for 'Mitsubishi Rally 'Cross Country' ('X'), plus a suffix for the year in which it competes (2009).

The MRX09 features a new, multi-tubular steel frame which has benefited from advanced Computer Aided Engineering analysis with a view to optimising the layout and dimensioning of the tubing.

The carbon-fibre bodywork of the MRX09 is redolent of the Lancer Sportback, and will come equipped with the same 4WD system, drive train, suspension and brakes — following their modification in accordance with the new technical regulations and as a function of the characteristics of the diesel turbo powerplant.

Racing Lancer is a Super Production Cross-Country Rally car, which has been developed in compliance with the FIA's Group T1 regulations (modified cross-country rally cars). It also complies with the new rules due to come into force in 2010.

Supported by the successful trial period of the new engine, already raced several times with Pajero Evolution over the last months, Mitsubishi Motors hopes that the Racing Lancer will be a major player at the 2009 Dakar rally.

The Dakar race itself will break new ground next year with a switch from Africa to South America.