2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

The hot hatch market has pretty much been a two horse race to date, Volkswagen’s iconic GTi or Subaru’s WRX – but enter the tough new kid on the block, the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, and that’s all changed. Mitsubishi’s product planning guy, and the man responsible for getting its product to market, is Chris Maxted and he’s very confident the new Lancer Ralliart Sportback and Sedan will sell at least 150 a month, with supply constrained by the availability of the sensational dual clutch, SST gearbox.

Lancer Ralliart is just the car for the person who might want the thrill of an EVO X but either doesn’t want to drive something that hard edged or cannot justify the $60,000+ spend. As the spiritual descendant of the much-lamented Lancer GSR the all-wheel drive, turbocharged Lancer Ralliart is effectively a detuned version of the high-performance EVO X.

According to Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) president and chief executive officer, Robert McEniry, the Lancer Ralliart is targeted squarely at a specific audience. Available in either Sportback or Sedan body styles, the Lancer Ralliart shares a retuned version of the 4B11, 2.0-litre turbocharged and intercooled DOHC four-cylinder engine that powers the Lancer Evolution.

Lancer Ralliart will share much of the technical enhancements that make the Lancer Evolution a dynamically superior vehicle when it comes to active safety, handling and vehicle control. The all-wheel drive system – called All Wheel Control - includes Active Traction Control, Active Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist.

The Lancer Ralliart has 18×7.0JJ alloy wheels with 215/45R18 89W tyres, again carried over from the VRX, and Mr Maxted admitted that Mitsubishi would have liked a unique wheel for the Ralliart but none suitable were available in time for the release.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart will be available in Cool Silver, Red Metallic, Solid White, Black Mica or Lightning Blue. It’s definitely a great addition to the ‘hot hatch’ segment of the market and one that will certainly threaten the major players.

© Source: caradvice
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