Ralliart: All or nothing for Mitsubishi Australia

Mitsubishi Australia will only revive its fabled Ralliart division locally if the resulting products offer genuine performance and capability gains over the donor vehicles as opposed to simply leverage the iconic nameplate.

Speaking to carsales at the recent media launch of the updated Outlander medium SUV, Mitsubishi’s local product strategy manager Jason Griffith said there were different takes on the Ralliart sub-brand between regions, with the Aussie outfit determined not to tarnish or disrespect one of the most famous mainstream performance nameplates.

“We’ve been strong in the Australian department that, Ralliart in Australia and to Australians, means performance, and the heritage that goes with that, we don’t want to do it any injustice,” he said.

“It needs to be done the right way for our market, and so while Ralliart styling packs or accessories have been released in other regions, that’s not something that we would want to bring to market without some sort of background or framework that honours the heritage and performance.

“‘Do it properly’ is our way.”

The last genuine Ralliart model to be offered in Australia was the CJ-generation Lancer which came in two performance flavours: the full-fat Evo X halo and the Ralliart support act.

The Lancer Ralliart was released as a stepping stone between the VRX and Evo, trading blows with the Subaru WRX while the Evo took on the STI.

It featured what was essentially a detuned Evo engine (177kW/343Nm), all-wheel drive and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission but rode on little more than standard VRX suspension.

Ralliart was long famous for the development of the monstrous Evo models – consumer and competition versions – but also turned its hand to the Colt city car, Magna sedan and Pajero 4x4, the former of which looked to have been revived in Europe late last year.

In 2022 it seemed a hot Outlander was on the horizon going by the striking Vision Ralliart concept, however Griffith confirmed to carsales last week that entity – which now resides in Adelaide – was and still is very much just a concept.

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