Where to from here?
The only way is up. While it’s been slow to respond to the release of the Lancer Ralliart, the automotive aftermarket industry is gearing up to release a plethora of tuning parts for Mitsubishi’s budget pocket-rocket.
Melbourne’s own TMR (Team Mitsubishi Ralliart) will be one of the first cabs off the rank, with their Ralliart Lancer road car program well underway. TMR are currently running their own Ralliart Lancer development car, and are focussing their attention on suspension, brake, exhaust and ECU upgrades. These guys know their Mitsubishis better than anyone.
While TMR remain tight-lipped on specifics, we wouldn’t be surprised if something north of 200kW were achievable using stock hardware.
The Bottom Line
So, it’s less powerful than the flagship Evo X, but more tractable. Not as competent around a racetrack, but a better steer along a country road. Its performance potential is lower, but then again so is its price – a full $17,000 lower than the Evolution.
In short, it offers 75 percent of the Evo’s thrills at a proportionally lower cost. But thanks to its kinder on-road behavior and less-mental power delivery, it’s a far better car to live with every day.
The Ralliart is perfectly suited to being both daily driver and weekend warrior, with its only major downfalls being a somewhat prodigious thirst for petrol and those woeful tyres. Minor niggles that true enthusiasts will overlook or rectify.
In stock form, the Ralliart is an absolute cracker of a drive. Judging by the gravel rash along the sideskirts of our tester and the partially-melted shoulders of its tyres, I’m clearly not the first journo to think so.
For those who could do without the bone-jarring ride of the Evolution X but still crave that turbo rush, the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is near-on perfect.
With a starting price of $42,990 and Mitsubishi’s ten year drivetrain warranty, it’s also a bona-fide bargain and one that punters would be hard-pressed to ignore.
Suffice to say, Mitsubishi deserves to sell every last one.
Tony’s Gospel
For performance on a budget, and for a drive you can live with, the Ralliart is brilliant. Though ‘softer’ than its manic brother, the Evo, it is still a blindingly quick tarmac warrior, but it lets you keep your kidneys.
Interestingly, most comparisons pit the Ralliart against the Evo, which suggests that it is likely to cannibalise Evo sales, as much as it steals from the opposition. With a 10 year drivetrain warranty, it’s damned secure buying.
Tony likes:
- The Ralliart’s on-road composure and balance
- (Arguably) more useable power, less mental than Evo X
- Brilliant AWD grip
- The 10 year drivetrain warranty (that’s confidence)
- Ripper price ($17k less than Evo)
Tony dislikes:
- The terrible standard tyres (no, really)
- No Recaro seats option
- Thirst at the bowser
- Where are the Evo’s bulging guards?
Gallery
GALLERY » 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback
Specifications
| Engine type: | 16-valve MIVEC turbocharged, intercooled, fuel-injected four-cylinder |
| Capacity: | 1998cc |
| Bore x Stroke: | 86.0mm x 86.0mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.0:1 |
| Max Power: | 177kW @ 6000rpm |
| Max Torque: | 343Nm @ 2500-4725rpm |
| Performance: | 0-100km/h, 6.5 seconds |
| Transmission: | six-speed TC-SST, twin wet multi-plate hydraulic clutches, AWD |
| Economy: | 10.2 l/100km combined cycle (claimed) |
| Front Suspension: | McPherson strut with coil spring and stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension: | Independent multi-link with coil spring and stabiliser |
| Wheels: | 18-inch alloys |
| Tyres: | Yokohama Advans |
| Brakes Front: | Ventilated disc |
| Brakes Rear: | Solid disc |
| Nanny stuff: | ABS with EBD and BA Driver and passenger airbags, side curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbag |
| Kerb Weight: | 1590kg |
| Price as tested: | $42,490 |
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Another reviewer has noticed some boost control issues - but there is no mention of this on any other review I’ve read (of either the Ralliart or Evo). Does this boost control problem exist?
Surprised there’s no comparison to the WRX- I suppose when the new version comes out?
Anyway, this car is tempting… so very tempting. I’ll be thinking long and hard every time I go past a bank I think!
Great review Tony! I’ve had my RA sedan for a month now, and couldn’t agree more with the review, both for pro’s and cons.
When considering the price, about $24K cheaper than the Evo with TC-SST ($17K 5sp manual evo), it’s a bargain and has the potential for some sweet modification action
as for comparing it to a WRX..this is a ralliart review, not a WRX review, and secondly, the WRX is no comparison, honestly. My mates, one with a highly modified my99 wrx and another with his S13 were very impressed, especially with the gearbox and the grunt “oi you should’ve seen how easily the car belted up that huge hill up the road!”
Lack of recaros, hid headlamps and poor tyres are problems, but these can be rectified and what’s under the bonnet, is a great foundation on which to build on the RA’s potential
Best bang for buck, full stop!
I find it hard believing that these seats are ‘amongst the best in the hot hatch class’…to be frank, they are horrible! the cushion is much to soft and the bolsters do not offer very good lateral support, not to mention how cheap the material felt.
I can name numerous hot hatches with better pews than the Ralliart:
- Renault Megane Sport
- Renault Clio 197 (Recaro’s)
- Golf GTI (Recaro’s)
- Mazda MPS
- Ford Focus XR5 Turbo (Recaro’s)
- Honda Civic Type R
- Subaru Impreza WRX hatch
Now in my opinion, the Ralliart seats don’t even match up to any of those in terms of comfort, support, and aesthetics.
Yeah the seats are potentially the biggest let-down in my RA, you’ll notice on mitsu forums that it’s a regular complaint, with no valid reason as to why the Australian market RA doesn’t even have the recaro’s as an option, while (as far as I know) all other RA’s around the world, inc. US, UK, JDM and NZ HAVE recaro’s standard.
Seats will be the first mod for sure
Good decision mate. If the RA came with recaro’s as standard, i can assure you that a lot more people would be interested in the beast.
Well having owned my RA four 3 months now, I have had the opportunity ti try it out at the local track days. Now I am no race driver by any means but now…What a HOOT!!!!! I owned a MY99 WRX and loved it! But this car has made me look like a pro. All I have to do is concentrate on driving, not pick gears etc. The members are blown away at the difference in my driving. Then they are blown away to find out I am in an auto! But one thing do change the tyres. 2 other members have now bought Ra’s because of my new found pace. But it is a dog off the mark and do not try loading it up at the line as the local dealer has old me the gearbox oil will last about 3 times and will have to be replaced and it costs about $100 a litre (synthetic).
Your comparing it to a 1999 WRX, i would be shocked if the RA wasnt better.
Try comparing it to the new 191KW WRX and see if it still comes out trumps in the performance dept.
Yo seat-people,
I’ve never looked mind you, but I’m reasonably certain that Tony has got a pointy little arse. He even finds porta-potties comfortable - which makes choosing a chair at his place a bit of a challenge.
That said, we do like the Lancer’s interior notwithstanding differing views about the front pews. It is curious there’s no Recaro option; can’t imagine what ‘The Bish’ is thinking here.
The Insider