Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart spied?

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By George Skentzos | January 09th, 2008

Now what this could be is the first of what are sure to be many standard Lancer’s dressed up in Evo guise – or this could be the Subaru WRX’s new nemesis, the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.

Sporting a detuned version of the Evolution’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the Ralliart variant is expected to produce 179kW, coupled with a six-speed twin-clutch SST transmission.

The subtle Ralliart logo in the grill is the only discernible indication that this is indeed the real deal. When it is finally released, Recaro sports seats, a sports steering wheel with paddle shift and a unique bonnet will be the Ralliart’s defining traits.

Full-time all-wheel-drive with Active Yaw Control and an Active Centre Differential ensure this will be an affordable track weapon.

Source: CarScoop via evolutionm

Duck

Would have been better if you got more pics! But the car looks good!
TP

I have my doubts its the real deal. On Lancers though, from reading around apparently next year they are bringing out a 2.4L engine (same engine as the 2L… just added displacement) in the U.S at least, maybe Aus? It needs it, they are prity gutless atm
fordman6

looks just like the EVO! hope there is more differences between the two, just like the WRX / STi…
Chucky

TP Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
“I have my doubts its the real deal. On Lancers though, from reading around apparently next year they are bringing out a 2.4L engine (same engine as the 2L… just added displacement) in the U.S at least, maybe Aus? It needs it, they are prity gutless atm”

Those 2.4 litre Lancers are coming out this year in Australia, probably around the middle of this year. Don’t expect a big increase in power, its the same 125kW 226Nm engine thats in the Outlander. By the time it comes out, there will be plenty of mods available to bring the 2 litre up to that level.
Richo

i’ll declare my hand right from the top, i took delivery of a new lancer VRX about 3 weeks ago.

Later this year here will be an update which will basically be limited to the VRX model getting the 2.4ltr from the outlander (and in exactly the same tune as the outlander). All other models will retain the 2.0ltr

As for it being gutless, i dissagree. Sure its not a quick car by any stretch of the imagination (i’m realistic about my cas limitations) but it certainly isn’t gutless. The car never feels slow, it revs freely and is generally fairly entertaining, its just not quick thats all.
TP

Perhaps… I havent driven it myself to be fair, but I have been around the forums and owners say the CVT is disappointing while the manual is alittle better. The 10kw extra from the 2.4L certainly wont be unwelcome. Its also claimed that along with this engine upgrade some more options may be available, such as xenon headlamps (which some markets already get)… so its looking good for Mitsubishi, along with the release of the ralliart (pricing will be interesting given its kit).
Richo

i drove the CVT model, and yeah i found it fairly dissapointing too, felt quite slow off the mark, wasn’t too bad while it was going, but off the mark it was slow. The manual is quite whippy tho
BoB

The CVT is slow off the mark but in gear acceleration is good. Put your foot down in the middle of driving and it jumps straight into the MIVEC zone.. though you can’t really feel it thanks to the CVT…
Ben

Its just as good as honda’s CVT it sucks manual all the way
Flying High

and therein lies the problem with the Lancer vs Evo thing. Too easy to rice up the Lancer to look like an Evo. fully sik ey’ bratha?
Scott C

The extra 10kw doesnt mean much at all! Its the extra 20% capacity and therefore the extra torque that will be worthwhile. The lancer has become even heavier in its newest incarnation and yet they ditched the larger capacity engine in favour of the 2.0litre.

Back in late nineties this engine would have been a revolution as the cars weighed 1000kg. But as you add weight you require torque, not top-endy power outputs..

Subaru understood this and while they didnt go to the 2.5 which would have been great they did tune the current 2litre in a way it has much more torque low in the rev range and it makes it a better car to drive. You also have to remember that subaru’s weight actually went down unlike the lancer’s too…
RoFlmaTiC

It is probably a real ralliart, that’s why it has no plates.
Just Saw It

I just saw the new Ralli Art and it is exactly like the picture. The front end is very similar to the Evolution. The differences exterior appearance wise are the silver around the front grille, the badging, the rear end looks like a regular Lancer while the Evo has black cladding around the rear bumper and tailpipes, the Evo has venting just in front of the front fender flares. The mags are different and there are no brembo brakes visible thru the wheels. THe Ralli Art has a nicer dash with a Nav system. Seats are the same. Ralli Art is also offered in automatic with paddle shifters.
Just saw it

I just saw the new Ralli Art and it is exactly like the picture. The front end is very similar to the Evolution. The differences exterior appearance wise are the silver around the front grille, the badging, the rear end looks like a regular Lancer while the Evo has black cladding around the rear bumper and tailpipes, the Evo has venting just in front of the front fender flares. The mags are different and there are no brembo brakes visible thru the wheels. THe Ralli Art has a nicer dash with a Nav system. Seats are the same. Ralli Art is also offered in automatic with paddle shiters.
Chris

$20 says That big Fat intercooler under the front grill/air dam isn’t just for show.

It’s Real.
Stu

im surprised only 1 other person noticed the big front mount intercooler there – that alone says its not just a regular lancer. the rear spoiler also looks to be bigger than the standard lancer ones, but smaller than the evos.

im a WRX owner and when i upgrade itll be an Evo X or this Ralliart rather than the Subaru 3.
Hugo

Near where I work is a white, 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Coupe covered in ‘Ralliart’ stickers, which I’ve always found rather ammusing.

This is similar .
Lachlan

judging from the picture it doesnt appear to have the side air dams either, and the intercooler is smaller compared to the evo’s. they are also the vrx alloys which were seen on the ralliart evo on testing (if anyone recalls that). also underneath the chrome on the front grill of the evo it is a small grey lip, on this image it is al red. and the fog lights are the same design as the vrx’s. i think this is the real deal!!
Chris

Lachlan….THE INTERCOOLER….THAT BIG ALUMINUM THING UNDER THE GRILL!!!….
TP

An intercooler doesnt mean its a Ralliart… I frequent the Mitsubishi forums, people have undergone turbo projects. Same applies to all the add ons, people out their are doing up their VRX’s (or GTS’ as they are called in the U.S). I hope it aint the Ralliart because that silver strip around grille looks stupid (unless of course its optional, in which case I like the cars looks alot).

Where were these pics taken btw? ‘Just saw it’ where did you see it… find it hard to believe they are in Aus, I think they MIGHT be coming out in U.S late this year but certainly alot later in Aus.
Stu

yeah its certainly not australia since the car is a left hand drive.
Chris

TP,

Really….why would anyone Void warranty on a production car with a turbo kit when you can go and spend the money it would cost on parts, labour and engineering certs on a Ralliart spec Lancer? It just doesn’t make sense.
TP

It is the ralliart… we’ve seen the pics now but I also saw the other day the full story to this picture, these were apparently on route to the detroit motor show. As for the person who cliamed to see them, who Im guessing is an Aussie, lol what a lie. Chris people are doing it in the U.S mate, they bought the VRX and aernt happy with it, either couldnt be bothered waiting for ralliart or would lose out when factoring in depreciation so they just mod.