The 27th Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2022 will begin on November 21st, starting in Buriram, in northeast Thailand. The course then crosses the border into Cambodia and wraps up at Siem Reap, home of the ancient temple of the Angkor Wat World Heritage site. Covering approximately 1056 miles, the course this year will be grueling, with terrain ranging from mountains to jungle to mud and sand dunes.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announced that Team Mitsubishi Ralliart will compete in the AXCR 2022 with the Triton. Using a 6.2-mile course that combines a high-speed range, rough gravel road, and winding forest course, Team Mitsubishi conducted a series of endurance tests that put the reliability and durability of the chassis and engine to the test.
“Since the Triton has a robust chassis frame and an excellent handling performance, we decided to reduce the vehicle weight at a minimum for the rally modification while leveraging its original strength as much as possible,” said Hiroshi Masuoka, team director of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart.
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The Triton rally car is based on the Thailand-specification double-cab model with a 2,442 cubic centimeter, 4-cylinder MIVEC turbo diesel engine that cranks out 178 horsepower. Tuning of the 2.4 L diesel turbo engine was focused on reducing friction loss and weight, and improving responsiveness in the mid-speed ranges frequently used in rallies. Thanks to a little carbon fiber, the hood, front and rear doors were lightened.
The CUSCO suspension, front and rear limited-slip differential, large-diameter off-road tires, and lightweight alloy wheels provide superb handling on rough roads. Some AXCR stages include river crossings, so water-proofing modifications, such as stronger sealing and an air-intake snorkel, were added as well.
Testing is critical in preparing for the rugged, week-long, AXCR cross-country rally through the unique natural terrain of Southeast Asia. “Having covered more than 800 kilometers in two days, the rally car showed its great performance throughout the tough endurance tests as we expected,” Masuoka said, “and now we are confident that our preparation is on the right track.”
