German Car Zone

It's been generally accepted that the sales success of the first generation Subaru Impreza WRX caused Mitsubishi to rethink its policy of keeping the Evo off U.S.-bound boats. The Evolution's introduction in the States was quickly followed by the STI's, and all was right in the AWD performance segment. Not quite. Mitsubishi needs a direct competitor to the base WRX and as we've seen already, the Ralliart moniker is coming back, and it won't be limited to a couple of stickers and 15-inch O.Z. wheels.

Some European journalists were assembled by Mitsubishi this week (likely an Evo X ride and drive) and it was revealed that a five-door version of the Lancer would be made available abroad sporting a 260 hp engine and the Evolution IX's all-wheel-drive system. If this is the same setup as the Ralliart Lancer we'll be getting in the U.S., that pegs the 2008 Subaru WRX with a 36 hp deficiency, not to mention the wizardry of the last generation Evo AWD system.

Also noted in the article were three different versions of the Evolution X that our friends across the pond will get in the coming years, with models creating 295 hp, 330 hp and 360 hp. No surprise, since they've been blessed with a number of FQ-models over the course of the Evo's lifespan.


Source: Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart to have 260 HP engine, Evo IX's AWD - Autoblog

While everybody is focusing on the all-new Lancer EVO X, Mitsubishi Europe today released official details on the 2008 Lancer Ralliart. Even though Mitsubishi doesn’t clarify in its press release whether the Ralliart will be based on the 4door Lancer or the upcoming 5door hatch version which is expected to be introduced at the Geneva Show, our sources state that in Europe, the Ralliart will be based on the 5door version while in the States, the 4door sedan. (Photo above: 2005 Lancer Concept Sportback)

In both cases however, the Lancer Ralliart will be equipped with a detuned version the EVO X’s new 2.0 litre (Dual Valve VVT) Turbo Engine producing 240 PS coupled with Mitsubishi’s 6-speed Twin Clutch - SST transmission and with a full-time 4WD system with Active Yaw Control and Active Centre Differential.

In Europe and unless Mitsubishi decides else wise in terms of pricing, the Lancer Ralliart will compete against the Subaru Impreza WRX, VW Golf GTI, Opel Astra OPC, Honda Civic Type-R, Renault Megane RS etc.

According to Mitsubishi’s European arm, the Lancer Ralliart will feature among other things, an aluminium bonnet panel, Recaro front seats, sports steering wheel with paddle shift and a Ralliart radiator grille.


Source - Carscoop: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart: Official Details

Scooped Undisguised?

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

What is it?

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

What's special about it?

If we were making a list of things to do before dying, owning a Lancer Evolution would be in the top 50, if not the top 10. For those who can't afford to spend $35,000, we would have previously advised curling up in the fetal position with a PS2 and a copy of Gran Turismo 4. Now, however, we can suggest the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, which looks to be a legitimate Evo Lite.

Unlike the last Ralliart, this one starts with the right drivetrain parts — genuine Evo-derived stuff. Instead of a dull, naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine, it has a detuned version of the Evo X's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for an estimated 235 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Compare this to 224 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque in Subaru's Impreza WRX.

Although we had expected Mitsubishi to stick with a conventional five-speed manual gearbox in the Lancer Ralliart, it now appears the company will offer only its six-speed Twin Clutch-Sequential Sportshift Transmission (TC-SST), which we've found quite effective in the Evo X MR.

The dual-clutch gearbox drives all four of the '09 Lancer Ralliart's wheels through an all-wheel-drive system with an active center differential. Just as in the Evo VIII, IX and X, the driver can choose from Tarmac, Gravel and Snow driving modes. Although the Ralliart won't have the Evo X's Active Yaw Control (AYC) feature, it still has a mechanical rear limited-slip differential and a helical LSD up front.

Mitsubishi hasn't gotten specific about suspension changes on the 2009 Ralliart, and the showcar wears the same P215/45R18 Dunlop SP Sport 5000M all-season tires as our long-term '08 Lancer GTS. However, we'd be very surprised if the company didn't offer a summer tire option for the Ralliart.

What's Edmunds' take? We're a little disappointed the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart won't have a normal manual transmission. Even with the sophisticated automated sequential gearbox, though, this is probably the car that will drive the soggy WRX to an early refresh. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor


2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart - 2008 Detroit Auto Show


M

Hmmmmm......very interesting. This could be a legitimate cheaper alternative to the Evo X, especially as a good basis for a track car. I wonder how easy it will be to "re-tune" this engine to the levels achieved by the Evo X?