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The Mitsubishi HSR (Highly Sophisticated-transport Research) is a range of concept cars exhibited by Mitsubishi Motors through the late 1980s and 1990s. Six distinct iterations of the vehicle were released biannually to coincide with the Tokyo Motor Show, with each model after the original identified by a Roman numeral suffixed to the name.
A 180 hp modulated displacement version of the 1.6 L V6 powered the fourth prototype, a 4WD sports car featuring an all-wheel anti-lock braking system.
The experimental Mitsubishi-HSR has been at trade shows over the past seven years. During this time, it has changed its appearance and content for the fourth time.
At last, HSR IV - a computerized control system ... of the car for the driver. She memorizes the nature and speed of each vehicle operation and, if necessary, corrects them. Signals for such correction are given by laser radars that control distance, fatigue sensors that monitor the frequency of a blinking of the eyes, and other devices.
Depending on the road conditions and the driver's driving style, the HSR IV finds the most advantageous wheel alignment by itself. Like HSR I, it has four active wheels - that is, four-wheel drive and all-wheel steering. But something else is even more surprising for us: the first, the HSR I with four active wheels, was demonstrated by the company in 1987, and now the serial Mitsubishi Galant is equipped with such a device. We admire the "intelligence" of the HSR IV concept car and its radars, but they are already on the serial Mitsubishi-Debonair since 1992.
And maybe, following the HSR IV, models will soon appear on the conveyor, too, without levers and pedals, controlled only by buttons on the steering wheel?
Source: L. SHUGUROV "Look into the magic ball" - "Behind the wheel," May 1994
Images: Mario Buonocunto Concept Cars Page; minkara.carview.co.jp; JOHN LLOYD Collection
