The kit for the latest incarnation of Mitsubishi Lancer rally car has been homologated by the FIA and is reckoned to be as much as half a second per kilometer faster than the Group N car it supersedes.
The R4 version of the Lancer has been developed on behalf of Mitsubishi by British firm MML Sports Ltd – the Rugby-based company which has its roots in the hugely successful squad which collected five world titles between 1996 and 1999.
The official kit to convert a Lancer into an R4 is expected to be available by the middle of this month, with the car likely to make its international debut on next month's Rally d'Italia.
MML Sports has been working in conjunction with Ralliart Italia on the new car, which includes lightweight materials including Perspex windows and fabricated suspension components, which again reduce weight and improve geometry.
"I am delighted that the R4 components have been successfully homologated," MML Sports managing director John Easton said. "We already have several customers who have pre-ordered kits and are keen to reap the benefits we expect from converting to R4 specification."