Road Test: Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sedan

Review by Jay Williams - 17/November/2009

Lancer Evolution and Mitsubishi are two names that have been synonymous with World Rally Championships for years now.

The latest Evolution benefits from new technologies that create massive power figures, better performance and precision handling.

So, the big question, how does the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart fair with such an elite heritage of rally driving?

Well let me just say it does a pretty good job of bringing rally car performance to the every day driver and it even puts a smile on your face while doing it.

The Lancer Ralliart uses the same 2.0-litre engine found in the Lancer Evolution, but this version is slightly detuned for easier day-to-day driving.

Priced similar too the Subaru Impreza WRX, the Lancer Ralliart fits in nicely between the Lancer VR-X and Lancer Evolution. Featuring an all-wheel-drive system, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and enough power to make you sit upright in your seat.

Drive: 4/5

Something that struck me as a little odd, is that the Lancer Ralliart is only available in a six-speed automatic. The dual-clutch SST gearbox seemed sluggish while left in Normal automatic mode, driving under city conditions was a task for the transmission.

Moving off from standing start causes a jolt, once moving the car gets to around 50km/h where it instantly jumps from second gear to fifth gear. Listening to the engines tone you would swear that the car was in the wrong gear, but no, in fact the ratios in normal mode are set for fuel economy.

Sport Mode on the  dual-clutch SST gearbox is where it's at, changing gears via the paddles on the steering wheel column or hitting up or down on the gear shifter.

Switch the gearbox into Sport mode changes the characteristics of the Ralliart dramatically and putting it into full manual changes it even further.

While in sport mode the dual-clutch SST gearbox blips the throttle to achieve the perfect revs on downshifts, this is great while going for a weekend squirt on some twisty country roads. This is also good if you where thinking of taking the Ralliart to the track.

As impressive as TC-SST is, there was no launch control as seen in the Lancer Evo. This effected off-the-line performance some what, Mitsubishi claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.3 seconds, I can say it was a touch over that.

Thanks to the hi tech All-Wheel-Control system or (AWC), the Ralliart was able to achieve hair raising levels of cornering grip and turning precision.

The AWC system works via three independent systems working together and operated via the vehicles Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

The Active Centre Differential (ACD) splits torque 50/50 between the front and rear axles. It then distributes this through the hydraulic multi-plate clutch. The ACD has three modes – tarmac, gravel and snow for better response in changing road surfaces.

Active Stability Control and Active Traction Control as the names suggest, help maintain stability and control when cornering. ASC recognises understeer and oversteer and corrects the problem, while ATC automatically controls stability and acceleration by minimising wheel spin and maintains traction at all times.

The Ralliart isn't as hardcore as the Lancer Evo, but this reflects well into every day-to-day driving. The suspension, while not as firm as the Evo works well when dealing with potholes and neglected roads.

However, there is some body roll present under hard cornering, but this never really presented as a problem. The Ralliart's suspension in most parts was composed and comfortable while still providing enough cornering performance for the more spirited drive.

Parking, this proved to be a little bit of a task due to the bad visibility of the Ralliart, reverse parking was a challenge, the low slung roof and the spoiler on the boot didn't help – but because this is a performance car who cares about practicality?

Engine: 4/5

Sitting under the air-vented, alloy bonnet is a lightweight 2.0-litre turbocharged MIVEC engine that produces 177kW of power and 343Nm of torque. Internally, it’s exactly the same power plant used in the Evolution X.

The internal components are reinforced to withstand the high levels of turbo boost. The engine pistons are gravity castings made from high strength and lightweight aluminium, giving the motor exceptional durability.

Unlike the Lancer Evo, the Ralliart has a single-scroll TD04 turbo, rather than the bigger twin-scroll TD05 unit and the battery is found under the bonnet rather than the boot (as in the Evo), this makes the induction piping take a different route from the intake to the inlet manifold.

But the pros of having a smaller turbo means less turbo lag, because the turbo takes less time to spool, which creates more peak power at lower revs. Boost comes on at around 2400rpm and is present from 2500rpm and remains steady on its way to 4750rpm.

This torque range is optimum for on-off acceleration through corners and also brings a smile to your face every time to hit the accelerator.

The Ralliart also receives a smaller front mount intercooler and different ECU mappings, compared to the Lancer Evo, hence the detuned power figures.

Exterior: 4.5/5

Boys disliked the Lancer styling and the girls loved it. This trend has shifted due to the aggressive, shark nose styling of the new Lancer.

That aggressive styling is even more present with the Lancer Ralliart, sporting a sharp, shark like nose with chrome detailing around the central opening and the same aluminium bonnet from the Evolution X.

Glancing at the rear of the sedan there's a dual exhaust system peaking out of a faux diffuser and a modest wing sitting on top of the boot lid.

Adding to the overall sportiness of the vehicle are the 18-inch alloys that are wrapped in Yokohama Advans rubber.

Topping off the look and sitting proudly are the Ralliart badges, one on the front grille of the vehicle and the other is situated at the bottom right hand corner of the boot lid.

Interior: 3.5/5

Interior room is impressive with enough legroom for front and rear occupants. However, any adult over 165cm will run into a little trouble sitting in the rear middle seat, due to the low slung roof of the Ralliart, occupants will have their head resting on the roof lining.

A generous boot layout provides for ample boot access, with a built in cargo blind to hide items of value.

Dashboard plastics feel cheap, but look expensive, this because most of the components are carried over from the base model ES.

The Lancer Ralliart features body-hugging seats that are soft to touch and offer a high level of comfort.

The Multifunction steering wheel is wrapped in leather and features bluetooth hands free, audio controls, cruise control and just behind the steering wheel resides the paddle shifters for changing gears.

And, last but not least the proximity-sensing Smart Key that gives you complete key-less operation. With the Smart Key, the vehicle can recognise you within a 70cm radius of the front doors and boot lid. You can lock/unlock the doors and boot and start the engine, all whilst the Smart Key sits in your pocket - this can be rather handy when walking back to the car with your hands full of groceries or at night if you are paranoid of someone jumping you while you search for your keys.

Overall: 4/5

Offering less power than the mental Lancer Evo X, the Lancer Ralliart is a nicely balanced, more usable machine.

For a middle of the range sports car, the Ralliart is comfortable and affordable, with enough power to appeal to those that want let loose on the weekends, while still want a suitable car for their daily drive.

With a starting price of $42,990 and Mitsubishi’s ten year drivetrain warranty, the Lancer Ralliart is a bargain..