Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart 2009 Review

Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

Road Test

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 2.5/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0

After giving archrival Subaru's Impreza WRX free rein in the sub-$45,000 turbocharged, all-wheel drive market for so long Mitsubishi has returned to the segment with its own offering, the Lancer Ralliart.

After our brief run in it at the launch last year (more here), the time has finally come to spend a week behind the wheel and find out if the Ralliart is able of taking the fight to the iconic WRX.

Power comes from a detuned version of the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit found in the EVO producing 177kW at 6000rpm and 343Nm at 4750rpm. But before you notice the performance, you are hit with the disappointment of the noise this motor makes. It sounds rough, laboured and wheezy; thank goodness it's only noise and doesn't have an impact of the performance. Given the car only weighs 1555kg, the output is more than enough to launch the Ralliart to any legal speed limit in this country.

But the engine isn't the star of the show. Instead that honour goes to the Ralliart's twin clutch sports shift transmission (TC-SST). It's the only transmission option and that's fine because it provides the best of both worlds: steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifts for manual gearchanges and an automatic mode.

It really is a great compromise, because unlike traditional automatics that provide limited manual control, the TC-SST is a genuine manual when that mode is selected. Indeed, as soon as you touch a paddle you are in full control of the cogs. There is no interference from the car which means if you want to rev out to the redline you can without fear (and the annoyance) of the gearbox deciding it knows best.

But you can also leave it in automatic mode and the car will happily drive around town just like a regular Lancer sedan. There's no jerkiness like you get in some automated manuals, just smooth, swift changes. For most of the week we found this was the way to travel.

As we mentioned in our launch review, the TC-SST's 'Sport' mode is very aggressive -- too much so for use around the city and suburbs. But get it out in the open road (or on a racetrack if you're lucky) and it excels. It really is a brilliant transmission and it's paired to an equally brilliant active differential; the same one found in the big brother Evolution X.

Although it misses out on the Active Yaw Control and up-spec ESP system of the EVO, the Ralliart's Active Centre Differential is a crucial part of the equation. Via its multi-plate clutch it directs the ideal amount of torque to the right wheels depending on conditions. It can be used in three modes -- Tarmac, Gravel and Snow -- but not surprisingly you'll spend most of your time in Tarmac mode.

The chunky steering wheel provides good feedback without feeling quite special enough. For everyday driving the steering is heavier than a regular Lancer but feels comfortable around town.

The ride was stiffer than the regular Lancer but not outrageously so. Mitsubishi has managed to find a good balance between comfort and handling prowess, making the Ralliart a suitable daily driving prospect. Indeed, the Ralliart proved a very civil and 'liveable' car. It accommodated the Ottley family with ease, which is something that's sometimes missing in cars that offer similar levels of performance.

With the TC-SST transmission the car is easy enough that your grandmother could drive it but if you want to push hard, it will reward committed drivers.

Even though the Ralliart relies on its wheels and larger rear wing to set it apart from the VRX model (18-inch alloy wheels and a large rear wing) there are a few other unique touches. The most notable is the vented bonnet with three large ducts. Those touches in addition to the chrome surround around the huge Mitsubishi grille helps make the black Ralliart we tested look like the automotive equivalent of Darth Vader.

After a week in the Lancer Ralliart it was hard to say goodbye. Mitsubishi has done a great job creating a car capable of taking on the WRX after so long out of the game.