It's been generally accepted that the sales success of the first generation Subaru Impreza WRX caused Mitsubishi to rethink its policy of keeping the Evo off U.S.-bound boats. The Evolution's introduction in the States was quickly followed by the STI's, and all was right in the AWD performance segment. Not quite. Mitsubishi needs a direct competitor to the base WRX and as we've seen already, the Ralliart moniker is coming back, and it won't be limited to a couple of stickers and 15-inch O.Z. wheels.
Some European journalists were assembled by Mitsubishi this week (likely an Evo X ride and drive) and it was revealed that a five-door version of the Lancer would be made available abroad sporting a 260 hp engine and the Evolution IX's all-wheel-drive system. If this is the same setup as the Ralliart Lancer we'll be getting in the U.S., that pegs the 2008 Subaru WRX with a 36 hp deficiency, not to mention the wizardry of the last generation Evo AWD system.
Also noted in the article were three different versions of the Evolution X that our friends across the pond will get in the coming years, with models creating 295 hp, 330 hp and 360 hp. No surprise, since they've been blessed with a number of FQ-models over the course of the Evo's lifespan.
[Source: 4Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
eddie @ Nov 24th 2007 11:06AM
If it is around $25,000 im sold. Ive been waiting for Mitsubishi's WRX fighter.
Jason Schloer @ Nov 24th 2007 11:15AM
Seconded!
PJ @ Nov 25th 2007 9:46PM
The WRX is in trouble. Even the base Lancer steers well and feels marginally better tied-down than the Subaru. A firmer suspension and AWD will have the WRX feeling pretty boaty.
Whatever you do, Mitsubishi, don't make the wagon auto-only again!
Shawn @ Nov 24th 2007 11:13AM
The Ralliart, at least in its last guise, added the Galant's 163 hp 2.4L, wheels (not O.Z.), wings, and a body kit. The "O.Z. Rally" had the O.Z. wheels and a sticker kit.
mikomi @ Nov 24th 2007 11:42AM
I'm all for stickers! +20HP for me!
People will buy it, just for the exclusive stickers....
mikomi @ Nov 24th 2007 11:44AM
But don't get me wrong, I'm all for more choices. I know fellow car enthusiasts who prefer to buy a "base" model over a top model (and not because they cannot afford it), but because they like having something more "stripped down" that they can work on and upgrade into something personalized.
Danny Boy @ Nov 24th 2007 11:55AM
is it going to have that Dual Clutch Trans?
Nicko @ Nov 24th 2007 12:19PM
Makes sense, the 5-door sounds mighty interesting too. The WRX is a bit disappointing in it's current, re-disigned state. Maybe Mitsu will take over now that Subaru dropped the ball?
joe @ Nov 24th 2007 12:26PM
Sweet. I love the new design and would be all over a 260hp AWD 25k Lancer..
Rafa @ Nov 24th 2007 1:09PM
Wow. I think I´m not an Impreza fan anymore.
Maestro1 @ Nov 24th 2007 2:06PM
I would love this car, though I think it'll completely kill me in insurance premiums. Hopefully pricing is good so I can buy it :D. Anyone know when its coming out? I heard its debuting in Detroit?
JD @ Nov 24th 2007 2:23PM
Hopefully when you say "wizardry of the last gen evo AWD system" you're referring to the rest of the worlds. If I recall, wasn't the evo IX's AWD a stripped down, less advanced version of everyone else's, without yaw control or active center diff, and without surface selection modes? Ours was lame, right (compared to the rest of the worlds)? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Dondonel @ Nov 24th 2007 4:52PM
All US spec EVO IX had active center diff. SAYC (active yaw control) was installed only on MR version (US spec). SAYC was not installed on regular EVO IX anywhere, not just US. Only the GSR version got SAYC in Japan and Europe.
If this turns out to be true (Ralliart getting Evo IX's AWD), most likely it won't have the SAYC. That's not a big loss, SAYC only helps through mid corner. Ralliart would still have a lot to offer if the price is $25,000.
Ilya @ Nov 25th 2007 2:52AM
Correction.
All IX's sold in the world were equipped with ACD. None of the US versions were equipped with SAYC, not even the MR. In Japan only the 6M/T models were equipped with SAYC, theses were the GSR and later the MR GSR (that had an upgraded version). The 5M/T models - the RS, GT and later the MR RS, were equipped with a rear LSD instead, similarly to the US models. All Evo's sold in Europe were 6M/T models and had SAYC. This also applies the the British FQ versions (FQ300, FQ320, FQ340, FQ360 and later the FQ360MR with the upgraded version).
Marvelous @ Nov 24th 2007 2:59PM
I'm not holding my breath for 260hp. Do the math guys for $5 grand less you can get a basically the same car with only a 35hp deficiency. Who would be dumb enough to get an EVO X. Especially if it uses the same turbo engine (I doubt its gonna be normally aspirated.). Tuners would eat this up with a $500 chip....BOOM you've got your EVO X and probably faster. If they do this , they must have been taking advice from their buddies at Chrysler. Can anybody say Jeep Commander.
seoultrain @ Nov 24th 2007 4:10PM
yeah, i also expected less than 260hp for this. However, there's another competitor in this segment called the mazdaspeed3, so mitsubishi likely wanted to match the mazda and beat it with AWD (which i think is a superb move).
Chances are, this car won't be the all-out performance car that the EVO is. I expect downgraded (but still great) suspension, brakes, transmission, etc.
Todd Manwill @ Nov 25th 2007 4:18AM
CREEP COMMANDER!!
Dan Parmelee @ Nov 24th 2007 3:49PM
Wow, this is suddenly looking like a great alternative to a used Evo or used Mazdaspeed 6.
Kevin White @ Nov 24th 2007 4:08PM
I think 260 sounds a little optimistic too. 224 would slot it in right with the WRX *and* split the difference between the base Lancer and the Evo. Less advanced all-wheel-drive system, less advanced stability/traction control, smaller brakes, smaller wheels and tires, plain old 5 speed manual, slightly heavier/bulkier body than the Evo, etc. and $25Kish and you've got a pretty good deal. If these are the specs I'm going to lean on my girlfriend to consider the Ralliart (helping her choose a new car has been a difficult process).
Maestro1 @ Nov 24th 2007 4:41PM
260hp doesn't seem to make sense to me, especially since this is not too far off the 295hp of the EvoX. I think they should instead make it 220-230hp like originally planned, and let tuners make the adjustments. Competing with the Impreza WRX is much more important than competing with the Mazdaspeed3, especially since the 3 doesn't appear to have as large a market as the Impreza and doesn't come with AWD.