SWAGGER
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Sun, Mar 22, 2009
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
SWAGGER
But the Ralliart is not a pretender. It takes the handsome Lancer 4-door unibody
sedan and four-wheel independent suspension, and mates a tweaked and tuned
chassis to a turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive. More specifically, the
Ralliart is powered by the new 4B11 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC intercooled and
turbocharged engine (also used in the Lancer Evolution) that cranks out 237
horsepower. Delivering the power to the four wheels is Mitsubishi's excellent
Twin Clutch-SST automatic transmission with its sequential manual shifting
option. This gearbox helps enhance the sporty nature of the vehicle by allowing
the driver to execute lightning-quick, paddle-actuated shifts. The TC-SST
transmission also operates in fully automatic modes for Normal (better for gas
mileage) and Sport (more fun) driving conditions.
The Lancer Ralliart's all-wheel driveline features Mitsubishi's Active Center
Differential (ACD). The ACD unit employs an electronically controlled
multi-plate clutch center differential, vectoring drive torque to the front and
rear according to different driving conditions to realize the best balance
between steering response and traction characteristics on tarmac, gravel, or
snow surfaces. Helping to bring the power to the pavement are a front helical
limited slip differential and a rear differential mechanical limited slip
differential.
Mitsubishi has taken some heat in the past for mismatching textures in the
interior department. The Lancer Ralliart interior represents a great leap
forward. There's a lot of plastic for sure, but plastic keeps the car light, and
it all blends together quite nicely here. The Ralliart has some additional
touches, such as a FAST key, Bluetooth® hands-free telephone interface, the same
Twin Clutch-SST shifter used on Lancer Evolution, and easily accessible steering
column-mounted paddle shifters.
Still, it's the exterior design that attracts the compliments, and the Lancer
Ralliart exterior is distinguished by its more aggressively styled front bumper
design, rear bumper cover, dual outlet muffler and a lightweight aluminum,
ducted hood that delivers cooling air to the turbocharger.
Our car is fitted with the optional Recaro Sport package, which includes Recaro
seats up front, high-intensity discharge headlights, a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate
nine-speaker audio system with trunk-mounted subwoofer, and Sirius satellite
radio. You can also opt for a power sunroof and a 30-gigabyte hard drive
navigation system with digital music server.
It all adds up to one very fun ride. Some performance cars need to be taken to
the limit before they act sporty. Not so with the Ralliart. The lively turbo
four, together with the ultra-quick paddle shifters, tuned suspension, all-wheel
drive and compact dimensions of the car are evident at any speeds. The Ralliart
is even fun in high-density, stop-and-go traffic. This car makes changing lanes
and circling an onramp fun.
You once had to buy a gas guzzling V8 to get your mojo working this hard. The
Lancer Ralliart does it with half the cylinders (albeit turbocharged), and gets
an EPA rating of 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. Alas, we didn't see
25 too much - the temptation to put the pedal to the metal is just too great in
this car. Still, it's good to know that it can if you can resist the temptation.
Some people will have a hard time justifying a $26,490 car based on a Lancer.
But they are the same ones that scratch their heads at the (also Lancer-based
but considerably more expensive) Mitsubishi Evolution and Nissan GTR (of which
the Ralliart shares some aesthetic similarities with). This car has a bit too
much swagger for them. Provocative cars do provoke, and the Ralliart is
provocative. They also tend to be pricey, and from that standpoint, the Lancer
Ralliart is a provocative bargain.
- Roy Nakano
SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Move over, WRX. There's a new mid-$20,000 four-door, compact pocket rocket in
town, and it's a certified magnet.
For more information about Mitsubishi products, go to
www.mitsubishicars.comÂ
SPECIFICATIONS
Name of vehicle:
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
Price:
$26,490 (base)
$29,390 (as tested, with premium paint and Recaro Sport package)
EPA gas mileage rating:
17 mpg city/25 mpg highway
Engine:
4B11 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC intercooled and turbocharged in-line four
Horsepower:
237 at 6,000 rpm
Torque:
253 pound-feet at 3,000 rpm
Transmission:
Twin Clutch-SST automatic transmission with sequential manual shifting and fully
automatic modes (Normal, Sport)
Drive System:
Full-time all-wheel driveline, featuring Active Center Differential (ACD)
employing an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch center differential,
vectoring drive torque to the front and rear according to different driving
conditions for optimal balance between steering response and traction
characteristics on tarmac, gravel, or snow surfaces; front helical limited slip
differential and a rear differential mechanical limited slip differential
Suspension:
Four-wheel, fully independent McPherson struts (front); multi-link (rear)
sport-tuned suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars, active stability
control (ACL) and traction control (TCL)
Steering:
Power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes:
Four wheel power-assisted discs, with Mitsubishi's Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Dimensions
Length: 180 inches
Width: 69.4 inches
Height: 58.7 inches
Curb Weight: 3462 pounds
Performance
0-60 mph: 6.6 seconds