Concept Car of the Week: Mitsubishi HSR (1987)

In 1987, Mitsubishi initiated a range of concept cars called HSR (High Speed Research) with the intention of creating a futuristic vision for the brand combining advanced technology, efficient power and aerodynamic design.

The first concept car was designed for safely cruising on the motorway at very high speed, thanks to cutting edge electronics. The car's internal computers measured speed, weather, driver input and grip, and adjusted the 4-wheel drive system and the 4-wheel steering automatically. The ‘Active Footwear System' balanced the stiffness of the suspension independently on each wheel.

With its clean, organic surface the HSR could glide through the air quickly and efficiently. Its teardrop shape and low rear deck generated a very low drag while the pronounced front spoilers extending all around the car gave the illusion the car had started melting.

To slow down from its high cruising speed, flaps emerged from the rear deck, creating air brakes, while revealing a contrasting red under skin. The aero wheel covers look particularly modern and are not too far from those found on the BMW EfficientDynamics concept.

The suicide doors opened to reveal a warm interior featuring a solid, rectangular steering wheel and plush bucket seats that slid sideways to ease ingress/egress. 

A special monitor displayed only essential data to reduce distractions while a screen on the passenger side reported map location. Finally, the 285bhp of turbocharged 2.0L DOHC allowed the car to reach a high speed of 180mph.

While many of its features appeared to be blue-sky ideas, the HSR was a real functioning laboratory on wheels. Most of the electronics found their way into production models and the lessons learned from its aerodynamic body fed into the design the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The brand then released a new version of the HSR biannually to coincide with the Tokyo Motor show until the HSR VI unveiled in 1997.

First seen Tokyo motor show 1987
Engine 2.0L, 4-cylinder, DOHC turbocharged, 285bhp
Top speed 180 mph

Your author, Flavien Dachet, is a UK-based, French-born car designer. You may know him as the purveyor of KarzNshit, a photo blog that if isn't already in your bookmarks, certainly should be.

By Flavien Dachet