Over 50 years, Mitsubishi Motors has been actively participating in motorsport events. By constantly pushing cars to the limit of their performances, Mitsubishi Motors continues its quest to prioritize driving pleasure and safety.
Along with the numerous victories and other achievements, the technologies developed and the know-how garnered through participation in motorsport is transferred into the development and building of production models, as well as supporting the development of next-generation technologies, which are ultimately implemented into the car you drive.
Mitsubishi Motors entered international rallying in 1967 and joined the World Rally Championship in 1973, the world's highest level of sprint rallying. Competing with production-based cars on varied terrain-tarmac, gravel, snow-the brand saw success with models like the Colt, Starion, Galant, and especially the Lancer.
The Lancer Evolution, built on decades of rally experience, peaked with four consecutive World Drivers' Championships from 1996 to 1999. Advanced technology, including Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) system, contributed to an impressive 34 overall rally victories.
Known as the world's toughest motor race, the Dakar Rally was created by French adventurer Thierry Sabine and originally spanned 10,000 km from Paris to Dakar, the capital of Senegal in central Africa. Mitsubishi Motors joined the event in 1983, aiming to test and refine its 4WD technology and improve overall handling.
By 2009, the company had competed 26 times, achieving a remarkable 12 overall victories — including a record-setting seven consecutive wins with the Pajero/Montero, earning it the legendary title of "King of the Desert."
The 31st Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) is the BIGGEST and TOUGHEST rally in Asia. Designed to challenge unpredictable nature trails, this rally will put the participants' driving skills, navigation, teamwork, as well as the durability of the four-wheel drive vehicle to the ultimate test.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart’s Triton finishes first place overall, after participating in the AXCR that ran from 10th till the 15th of August 2026 in Thailand, over a total distance of 2,145.19 km.
"We enter rallies not just to win, but to build cars people can trust—on any road, in any weather."
These traces back to Mitsubishi Motor’s first major rally entry in 1973. The goal was never just the podium—it was about stress-testing the Mitsubishi Lancer against the world’s toughest terrain, so everyday drivers could benefit from that proven technology
Yoji Ohtani
Ralliart Business Promotion Office
"Even the harshest rally stages are our proving grounds—for every car we bring to market."
Before every rally, engineers and racers shared one objective: push the car to its limits to refine what ends up in consumer vehicles. Southern Cross, World Rally Championship, Dakar Rally—each stage was a real-world lab.
Yoji Ohtani
Ralliart Business Promotion Office
"A race may last days, but the lessons shape vehicles that last for years."
Rally conditions simulate years of customer use in just days. By running production-based cars through these events, Mitsubishi Motors was able to rapidly identify flaws, make improvements, and apply them directly to new models.
Yoji Ohtani
Ralliart Business Promotion Office
"If we weren’t always challenging ourselves to do something new, we wouldn’t have won."
After being defeated by Citroën’s dune-buggy-style cars in Dakar Rally in the mid-90s, Mitsubishi Motors chose not to copy, but to innovate within the limits of production-based rules. The result was the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution—an all-new rally car born from failure and experimentation.
Yoshihiko Ototake
Advanced Engineering Development Department
"I pushed harder, because I believed in the car—and the team behind it."
Masuoka’s confidence came during one of the most grueling Dakar Rallies, where overnight repairs and engineering ingenuity allowed his damaged Pajero to perform like new the next morning. That trust in his team gave him the edge to drive fearlessly.
Hiroshi Masuoka
2-time Dakar Rally Champion
"Our engineers grew not just in skill, but in spirit—racing taught us to build as one."
Young engineers from Mitsubishi’s production line worked as mechanics during rallies like Pikes Peak and Asia Cross Country Rally. Facing tight deadlines, unfamiliar terrain, and constant pressure, they learned what it truly meant to build a car—not just design one.
Yasuo Tanaka
Advanced Engineering Development Department
"Our mission is simple—cars that get you there and back, safely and confidently."
This philosophy shaped every model that followed Mitsubishi Motors’s rally efforts. Whether it’s snow-covered roads in Hokkaido or deserts in Morocco, the goal was always to ensure drivers could count on their Mitsubishi vehicle, no matter where they were.
Yoji Ohtani
Ralliart Business Promotion Office
"We compete not for trophies, but to earn our customers’ trust on every journey."
This reflects Mitsubishi Motors’s enduring approach—rally racing was a means to an end. The goal wasn’t the prize; it was turning race-hardened technology into real-world reliability for every driver behind the wheels of a Mitsubishi vehicle.
Yoji Ohtani
Ralliart Business Promotion Office
"The Pajero was unstoppable in the desert—and comfortable enough for the highway."
Masuoka was shocked when he first drove the production version of the Mitsubishi Pajero—after years of racing its modified sibling. It had the same off-road DNA but handled smooth roads with ease. He bought one for himself on the spot.
Hiroshi Masuoka
2-time Dakar Rally Champion
Highlight Photo for Team MITSUBISHI RALLIART
| No | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Katsuhiko Taguchi (Mitsubishi Triton) | 12 h 58 m 20 s |
| 2. | Mana Pornsiricherd (Toyota Hilux Travo) | 13 h 00 m 45 s |
| 3. | Ditsapong Maneein (Isuzu D-Max) | 13 h 08 m 22 s |
| 4. | Takuma Kamada (Toyota Hilux GR Sport) | 13 h 13 m 10 s |
| 5. | Bailey Cole (Ford Raptor) | 13 h 55 m 06 s |
| 6. | Masanao Nitta (Toyota Hilux) | 14 h 08 m 30 s |
| ... | ||
| 8. | Akira Bamba (Mitsubishi Triton) | 14 h 26 m 06 s |
| 11. | Hiroshi Yanagisawa (Mitsubishi Triton) | 14 h 49 m 50 s |
| 27. | Kazuto Kolde (Mitsubishi Triton) | 20 h 58 m 30 s |
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart
BACK-TO-BACK! Team MITSUBISHI RALLIART takes the AXCR2026 crown.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart
Taguchi extends his lead after LEG5. One day to go for victory.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart
Taguchi holds the lead on day 4.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart
Taguchi moves into the overall lead. After three days of competition, the battle heads into the second half.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart
All three MITSUBISHI TRITONs continue to run smoothly.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart
On the most challenging opening day yet, Taguchi takes P3.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart
Taking on the AXCR2026 with three TRITON
Ceremonial start held in Pattaya’s city center.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart
Team MITSUBISHI RALLIART conducts endurance test as it targets second consecutive AXCR (Asia Cross Country Rally) title.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart
Members are all aligned, there’s no stopping the push to the top.
A one-of-a-kind XPANDER that stands out from the rest, developed and inspired by the Xpander AP4 to promote Mitsubishi Motors-ness in Malaysia. The Xpander AP4 is a proper rally-spec Xpander which was driven to success by Mitsubishi Motors rally driver, Rifat Sungkar. Xpander never fails to impress with its versatility. Not only as a stylish family car, but also as a sleek and bold crossover with a motorsports theme
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