Ralliart Lancer gets the goods

All but hidden away and lost in the hubbub of all-important launches (for the USA anyway) of obscenely large pick-ups, for Aussies, Mitsubishi's Ralliart Lancer was arguably one of the most interesting cars at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Set to spearhead the affordable Lancer range and sit under the full-house Evolution models in terms of both price and specification, the new Ralliart will be a vitally important new entrant for the local arm of the company in 2008.

Built to take on Subaru's WRX, the Ralliart is essentially an amalgam of sporty VRX and Evolution. In accommodation and equipment terms it's closer to the VRX. Under the skin, however, it's closer to Evo. Indeed, it features a full-time 4WD driveline with Mitsubishi's Active Center Differential (ACD) and is powered by a version of the same 4B11 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC intercooled and turbocharged engine used in the homolgation special.

Lancer Ralliart is also equipped with front helical limited slip differential and a rear differential mechanical limited slip differential, according to the Detroit press kit.

Also according to the Detroit announcement, the Ralliart engine's good for 177kW -- 29kW less than the Evolution, but 8kW up on the latest WRX. The Ralliart's torque peak -- around 350Nm -- is also up on the Subaru. And unlike the WRX, the Ralliart Mitsubishi will offer a twin-clutch automated manual gearbox -- a version of the same six-speed TC-SST gearbox as fitted to the Evolution.

In the USA the Ralliart will come in TC-SST form only. Given the cost of the fancy gearbox, we'd suggest it'll be an option Down Under. The standard manual will likely be a wide-ratio five-speeder, a la the new Evo.

Other options to be offered in the US-spec car are Recaro seats, HID headlights, 650-watt Rockford Fosgate nine-speaker audio system, sunroof and a 30-gigabyte hard drive navigation system with digital music server.

Local Mitsubishi spokesperson, Lenore Fletcher says the car maker is "still in discussion" with MMC head office regarding local pricing, specification and launch date. She has confirmed, however, that the model will come Down Under.

Our guess is it will be August before the car hits local showrooms. Currently Mitsubishi Australia is expecting to launch the Lancer Evolution (more here) in May -- about three months later than initially scheduled.

The Ralliart won't be the only addition to the Lancer range either. A Sportback hatch version is slated to appear mid-year and there have also been hints that MMC will reinstate a wagon variant -- perhaps as early as late 2008.

The turbo petrol Ralliart Lancer driveline has also been slated to appear in a version of the Outlander SUV. Sounds like just the thing to keep the new Forester GT honest...

 » Get the best price on a new Mitsubishi Lancer

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