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By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
3 November 2008
For most of the past 14 years Subaru’s WRX has been the
unchallenged king of the affordable sporty car market, the machine
of their dreams for a generation of young driving enthusiasts.
While
WRX remains the yardstick model, in recent years there’s been a
steady increase in competition led by cars such as the Volkswagen
GTi and Ford Focus XR5. Now Mitsubishi has joined the fray with
its long-awaited Lancer Ralliart.
The
new model aims to bridge the gap between the standard Lancer
models and the high-performance Evolution X, both in terms of
price and performance. Lancer Ralliart shares components with both
cars. For example, while it is built on the same platform as the
volume-selling Lancers it uses the same weight-saving aluminium
bonnet as the Evo.
More
importantly, under that aluminium bonnet, is a de-tuned version of
the Evo X’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, as well as
Mitsubishi’s new
six-speed Twin-Clutch Sports Shift Transmission (TC-SST) which is
optional in the Evo but the only transmission offered in the
Ralliart.
At
first glance not having a manual gearbox may seem a bit of gamble
for Mitsubishi, given that driving enthusiasts generally prefer to
make their own gear changes, however we’d recommend anyone to
try out the TC-SST before making their decision. The system is
amazingly fast and adaptive with manual overrides available either
via the gear lever or large paddles mounted behind the steering
wheel.
Lancer
Ralliart comes with driving modes are, Sport and Normal. The
additional Super Sport mode, included in the Evo X, isn’t
offered.
The
intercooled and turbocharged 2.0-litre DOHC MIVEC engine produces
class-leading power and torque of 177 kW and 343 Nm respectively,
around five and seven percent higher than the soon to be
superseded WRX. The 2009 WRX, due here in December, is expected to
have more power but the same torque as the Lancer Ralliart.
Lancer
Ralliart has all-wheel drive, using the same system as Evo X and
has a range of other driver-assistance features including traction
control, stability control, ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce
distribution and brake assist, active centre differential and rear
mechanical limited-slip differential.
Should
these systems fail to prevent a crash there is Mitsubishi’s RISE
(Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body, seven airbags to help
protect occupants.
On
the road the Lancer Ralliart is as enjoyable to drive as its Evo
heritage suggests. The suspension set-up is firm but still
reasonably comfortable and it is well balanced with precise and
secure handling. There’s more than enough power and torque for
all but the most demanding of drivers. The TC-SST transmission
delivers extremely fast gear changes with no perceptible drop-off
in engine power.
Lancer
Ralliart comes as either a four-door sedan or in the
newly-unveiled Sportback five-door hatchback body, now available
across the standard Lancer range. The most striking aspect of its
appearance is the large single grille that dominates the front of
the car.
The
sedan carries an Evo-style large rear wing, with the hatch getting
a more conservative wing mounted at the top of the hatch on the
car’s roofline. Add a central bonnet scoop with a pair of vents
either side and Ralliart badging at front and rear and there’s
no way that the newcomer will be confused with standard Lancer
models.
As
with all models in the current Lancer range there’s good
interior space with plenty of front headroom, although the
Sportback’s rear seat head space may inconvenience taller
occupants. There’s special Ralliart cloth trim on both front and
rear seats along with aluminium-faced pedals and leather trim on
the steering wheel, gear lever and parking brake.
Convenience
features include central locking with a proximity key,
climate-control air conditioning, automatic headlamps and wipers.
The Sportback variant also gets one-touch folding rear seats and a
cargo cover.
At
$42,490 Lancer Ralliart is slightly more expensive than its
competitors but, given that it shares so much technology with the
$64,990 Evo, including the leading-edge twin-clutch gearbox, it
offers excellent value.
While
the current world economic crisis will almost certainly see a
decline in new car sales the release of the new Lancer Ralliart,
the ongoing popularity of the Golf GTi, and the imminent arrival
of a new version of the Subaru WRX, suggest that their particular
market segment is likely to buck that trend. And Mitsubishi's
five-year warranty should help calm feelings of uncertainty among
potential buyers.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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