Details on the 2008 Lancer Ralliart has been revealed by Mitsubishi in Europe. A Concept of Lancer Sportback (pictured above) is expected to be unveiled at the Geneva Show 2008, and this has been rumoured to be the platform for the new Lancer Ralliart, more so for the European market. That said, we may get to see the booted version of the new Lancer Ralliart for Asian and U.S markets.
Regardless which form the Lancer Ralliart takes – this “budget version” of the venerable Lancer Evolution X will be powered by a detuned version of Evo X’s all-aluminium 2.0L MIVEC Turbo punching out a respectable 240ps, mated to Mitsubishi’s new 6-speed Twin Clutch - SST transmission. Much like the full-blown Evo X, the Lancer Ralliart also comes standard with a full-time 4WD system (a simplified version of S-AWC), plus Active Yaw Control and Active Centre Differential. The 2008 Lancer Ralliart will also feature an aluminium bonnet panel, Recaro bucket seats, Ralliart leather-clad sports steering, bodykit and Ralliart radiator grille with intergrated air-dam (intercooler grille).
Expect pricing of the Lancer Ralliart Turbo to be in the region of the Civic Type-R and the VW Golf GTI in most markets sometime next year.
Related post:
You may want to read these:
Here are a few images of the new Lancer Prototype-S, which previews the forthcoming Lancer Ralliart Sportback (5door liftback). This sports hatch is rumoured to be mainly for the European market where it is slated to go head-on with the new Subaru Impreza WRX.
It is also expected to mechanically similar to the Lancer Ralliart sedan, as such is powered with a detuned version of the EVO X’s 2.0L Mivec Turbo engine, good for 'only' 240ps and 343Nm of torque. Torque is being driven via MMC's Twin Clutch SST gearbox down to a full-time 4WD (S-AWC) among other things.
