NEXT ECLIPSE? A look at Mitsubishi's high-tech two-seat concept.

Byline: WES RAYNAL

Are you looking at the next-generation Eclipse? Maybe, maybe not. Mitsubishi officials won't say for sure, but if the 2007 Tokyo show's Concept ZT hinted at the 2009 Galant, perhaps the Concept-RA is a look at the next Eclipse. One thing we can say for sure: The car, unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is one of the show's coolest concepts.

And one of the most interesting. Mitsubishi developed this, its third concept coupe in five years, with the idea of showcasing some of its latest technology and to show the world that a car can be environmentally friendly and rock the enthusiast, too.

To help save weight, recyclable plastic body panels are mounted to an alumi-num spaceframe. There's a real powertrain under that curvy plastic body, a 2.2-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine developing 201 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque-10 lb-ft more than the Evo! Among the powertrain wizardry are variable valve timing and a turbocharger with variable vane technology for more oomph at low rpm. The common-rail, direct-fuel- injection system allows the engine to use a lower compression ratio and helps it meet U.S. emissions ...