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It features a choice of three engines in its line-up - a 2.5-litre and 3.2-litre common rail direct injection diesel units and a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine.

The Challenger will also use Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD system born from the Dakar Rally which delivers drive torque effectively to all four wheels on all types of surface.

The cabin is available in with 2-row (5-passenger) and 3-row (7-passenger) seating arrangements, featuring water-repellent seats and luggage compartments.

The Moscow debut of the new Challenger is a strategic move on Mitsubishi’s behalf - with the Russian market accounting for over 100,000 sales each year.

The new Challenger will be the third SUV in Mitsubishi’s Australian line-up, joining the Pajero and Outlander.

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It uses a Ford-sourced supercharged 2.0-litre Duratec motor which develops a healthy 179kW of power and 249Nm through a 5-speed manual transmission - on par with the best the Exige has to offer.

Built around a semi-monocoque chassis constructed from bonded aluminium, the Mastretta MXT weighs in at only 900kg - 35kg less than the Exige S.

Fortunately for Lotus however, the Mastretta MXT can’t match the Lotus for dynamics, hitting 100km/h in around 5.0 seconds from a standing start and on to a top speed of 241km/h.

Right-hand drive production is expected to begin at the start of 2009 with an initial run of 80 units destined for the UK market at £32,999 (around $60,000 Australian dollars).

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Mitsubishi Motors Corporation says the Racing Lance’s mission will be to target victory on next year’s Dakar which breaks new ground in 2009 with a switch from Africa to South America.

For Mitsubishi Motors, not only does the Dakar serve as a platform for the sales and marketing of the Pajero/Montero but it also provides a unique proving ground for powertrains and 4WD transmission systems.

MMC says that in light of the corporate decision to focus the firm’s cross-country rallying activities on the development of a new diesel engine, it is a natural step for the Lancer (known in Japan as Gallant Fortis), a commercially and globally important model powered by the diesel power plant, to take over the competition baton from the Pajero/Montero and the Pajero/Montero Evolution.

It says that the technological expertise accumulated thanks to the firm’s cross-country rally program - which includes the Dakar - will be applied to its diesel engine development, including the new-generation clean diesel that will power the future production cars.

Meanwhile, as was previously the case, the 4WD systems technology will also be carried over to the production versions after their configuration has been optimized as a function of their end-use.

Under its new corporate communication tagline ‘Drive@earth’, Mitsubishi Motors has a commitment to providing the joy of mobility for customers worldwide while at the same time taking a responsible stance on the environment.

Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart will also play an important role as an integral part of the automobile research and development program.

Wondering what MXr09 means? Well MMC says ‘MRX09′ stands for ‘Mitsubishi Rally ‘Cross Country’('X’), plus a suffix for the year in which it competes (’09′ = 2009).

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Producing 110kW of power and 320Nm, the new diesel engine is certainly a refreshing alternative to the current 115kw 2.5-litre six-cylinder petrol engine on offer.

Fuel consumption is also considerably improved for the diesel, using just 7.6L/100km compared to a staggering 9.3L/100km for the petrol model.

“There’s no doubt that when coupled with our sharp pricing strategy, the new Epica ticks all the right boxes. This is a car that demands attention.”

The additional safety of ESP and curtain airbags have also been included as standard across the range to compliment the existing ABS, Traction Control and Electronic Brake Force Distribution.

The new Epica also receives a few other minor tweaks, which include tilt & telescopic steering, a new grille and rear fascia, European-styled dual flip keys and unique alloy wheels on both the CDX and CDXi variants.

Pricing

• Epica CDX 2.5-litre petrol (6 speed auto) from $27,990
• Epica CDX 2.0-litre diesel (6 speed auto) from $29,990
• Epica CDXi 2.5-litre petrol (6 speed auto) from $30,990
• Epica CDXi 2.0-litre diesel (6 speed auto) from $32,990
• Epica CDXi Optional Leather Pack $2,000

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The new model is still currently known only as ‘Project Eagle’ (although one sharp CarAdvice reader has their money on ‘Ethos’ - and I’m keen to agree) with Lotus to announce the official name at its press conference on July 22nd at the British Motor Show.

Earlier reports of a Toyota-sourced powerplant have been revealed as true, with Lotus confirming a 3.5-litre V6 dual VVT-i engine producing 206kW will power Project Eagle.

Whilst performance testing has not yet been completed on production models, early prototypes have recorded a sub-5 second sprint from 0 to 100km/h, with a suggested top speed of 256km/h.

As countless spy shots have revealed, Lotus has visited Germany for some performance testing at the Nürburgring, reporting that its new model is considerably faster around the famous circuit than the Elise and more stable at speed than the Exige.

The interior certainly isn’t nearly as sparse as its smaller siblings, featuring a 7-inch touch-screen multimedia system in partnership with Alpine which includes advanced audio, satellite navigation, Bluetooth hands-free telephone and iPod connectivity functions as well as a removable hard drive.

Furthermore the screen also acts as a monitor for an optional reverse camera, all welcome features aimed at eliminating the voluntary compromises made when purchasing a Lotus.

A bespoke progressive air-conditioning system is standard on all models, while on-board tyre pressure monitoring will be standard in selective models and markets.

An overhead storage module has also been added, in deference to the American market in particular, to carry a remote door control.

Whilst the car is labelled a four-seat coupe, Lotus is willing to admit the rear seats are really only intended for children or smaller adults on short journeys.

However a briefcase or jacket would be a far more convenient and practical rear passenger, with Lotus offering an optional luggage shelf to replace the rear seats if desired.

Lotus also boasts that the rear boot is large enough to accommodate a set of golf clubs and incorporates a fresh air cooling system to reduce heat soak from the engine into the boot compartment.

Project Eagle will also receive anti-lock brakes, traction and stability controls on all models as standard, specially calibrated by Bosch to provide enhanced safety features whilst maintaining performance characteristics.

With practical compromises forming the only downside of the Elise and Exige, Project Eagle promises to defunct any excuse to not buy a Lotus.

Project Eagle is the first of three new models announced by Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley as part of a five-year strategic business plan initiated in October 2006.

Images: Autocar

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Built to compete with Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo S, Mercedes ML63 AMG and other high-performance crossovers – the X6 M may very well be in a class of it’s own.

Rumours have it the X6M will be powered by the M5’s 5.0-litre V10 with 373kW and 520Nm of torque. We’re expecting BMW to make an official announcement about the X6 M before the end of the year.

Click through to read our BMW X6 review.

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Laguna has for a long time lead the charge for the French as being a symbol for innovative and intelligent automotive design, a datum other cars aspire to, which was a point well validated when BMW purchased Sandouville’s Laguna build number one. Sadly perhaps we Aussies just don’t get it, and more often than not pass up the opportunity to own one - maybe this time round all that will change.

Voted 2008 Company Car of the Year (in France) and The World’s Most Beautiful Car (Estate variant) at the Automotive Festival of Paris, the new Laguna is a stylish and sophisticated modern car with ideals set to challenge convention in much the same way French cars always have. Although at times Renault styling has been quirky, the reasoning behind it is usually sound, and now with the Phase III Laguna conquering showrooms back home, there’s a suggestion sound French reasoning may have finally surrendered to German good looks.

Estate due in Australia from December

From almost any angle, the car is stunning, quite Bavarian in sculpt, and although I’m not personally a fan of the tail light positioning (hatch), just about every other angle of the car strikes a chord for aesthetic pleasure. It’s not quite majestic, but it is certainly striking, sleek and rather elegant, with well proportioned, slippery lines and a free flowing energetic feel.

It also feels very well built. The doors shut beautifully and just the lightest touch will see the weighting take care of the rest, something I’ve not experienced since playing with old Jaguars. Panel fit is uniformly tight all over and the assertively styled Mille Miles 18 inch alloy wheels still manage to hold a certain decorum in those large, slightly flared arches whilst at the same time maintaining grace and purpose. The bright work around the windows contrasts wonderfully with the Charcoal metallic paint (no cost option) and with large headlamps adding a slightly overwhelming look, the front seems bold and insistent, like a larger GT car.

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WA’s automobile club, the RAC, said it was sick of the current government’s lack of progress on road safety.

“The one thing that concerns us most is the fatality rate is still up there with the worst,” RAC Executive Manager, Member Advocacy David Moir said. “Only the Northern Territory is up there with us, and that’s no endorsement.”

“What is most disturbing is that WA has been up there for the past couple of years,” Mr Moir said. “The Government needs to get this new road safety strategy implemented as soon as possible. We are concerned there’s no step-up in the Government’s efforts on road safety at the moment, when we have a serious problem with road safety in WA.”

This is despite an increase in speed cameras, and more visible police cars with highly reflective livery.

Regardless of where we live in this country, deaths on the roads are not acceptable.

CarAdvice would like to know what your strategy for tackling the road toll would be. What would you present to your state government, as a solution to bringing down the road toll?

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All generations of Evolutions were represented at the event - grouped by colour, including a few brand new Evo X’s.

“It has taken a small team of MLR members a huge amount of time and effort over the last year to pull this World Record attempt together, but to see it finally come to life on Saturday was incredible”

The event also raised £7,459.27 for the Richard Burns Foundation which provides support for people whose lives are affected by serious illness and injury.

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