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Spy Shots: Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart sneaks out ahead of Paris show
by Damon Lavrinc on Jul 2nd 2008 at 3:57PM 
Click above for more spy shots of the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback.
We're eagerly anticipating the debut of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and its Ralliart variant in Paris this September, and these recent shots of the five-door making the rounds in Barcelona are just enough to keep us interested. Judging by the German numberplates and a couple of shots that surfaced on Autoweek.nl, we'd guess that the Ralliart Sportback is in the hands of motoring journalists abroad or was on its way to a photoshoot ahead of its launch.
As we've seen previously, the Ralliart hatch takes the Evo-styled front end from its four-door counterpart, along with new side sills, darkened wheels and a subtle rear spoiler. In Europe, the Lancer Sportback will come equipped with either a 1.5- or 1.8-liter four, or a 2.0-liter turbodiesel, while those of us in the U.S. get to enjoy an Evolution experience on the cheap, with a de-tuned version of the 4B11T/C 2.0-liter four, producing 237 hp and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. We like it in red, white or slate grey would be our chosen hue when the Sportback goes on sale in the States early next year.
Gallery: Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
[Sources: The Auto Union, Autoweek.nl]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2004m3driver 4:01PM (7/02/2008)
That's kinda cool. I wish it was a bit less stubby though. Then it would look gorgeous.
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Dude 4:11PM (7/02/2008)
I know it's crazy fast, but it looks kinds goofy. Make it a three-door hatch and it would look better.
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BlackCanary 4:14PM (7/02/2008)
No it is not. This is not an EVO. Maybe its just that picture but it looks wierd.
BlackCanary 4:17PM (7/02/2008)
....wanted to add that the Black one and the White one look cool. Wierd angle in the pic above makes it look funny.
Iridium 4:11PM (7/02/2008)
I swear I saw two Lancer Ralliarts in Canada last week when I was there on vacation. They weren't EVO Xs or regular Lancers. They looked exactly like the Ralliart prototype shown at the autoshows. Unless the GTS has the Ralliart front facia in Canada instead of the US stock bumper.
One was on across the street in Toronto while I was driving my GTS but it turned right before I could get a glimpse of any badging. It did have the Ralliart front but the sides and spoiler of the GTS, so I know it wasn't an EVO.
The wait for the Ralliart has been insane, bring it out already.
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Steven 4:13PM (7/02/2008)
As the owner of a Subaru WRX wagon...I'd totally rock the Ralliart sportback if there wasn't such a slope to the rear hatch which seems to ruin the functionality and proportions entirely.
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chrisdavis 4:43PM (7/02/2008)
+1 verbatim
Stephen 8:28AM (7/03/2008)
+2 It seems like they were too scared to make a "wagon" that they made an ugly, useless hatch instead. Too bad, I love wagons.
notYou 4:18PM (7/02/2008)
SaaButt.
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psu48187 4:18PM (7/02/2008)
See Subaru, there is such a way to do a hatch and make it look nice.
I would definitely put this on my list in terms of cars that I would be interested in. It looks great.
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Aprime 4:30PM (7/02/2008)
Sexy is the Astra sloping end, this isn't sexy.
Rootus 11:46PM (7/02/2008)
Yeah, make a hatch that has the same cargo capacity of a sedan. That's how you make it look good. And then it doesn't have the cargo capacity of hatch, which was the point to begin with.
Mitsubishi should quit coming out with new versions and instead focus on improving what they have. The Evo guys are experiencing massive quality problems. Not a new thing for Mitsubishi owners, but if they want to stay in business they need to get with the program.
Craig 3:47AM (7/03/2008)
This is not sexy. I prefer the hatch shape on the Impreza to this run of the mill early-90s hatch shape. I don't like the tail lights of the Impreza though.
The shark front doesn't sit with the hatch either. They would be better off making a sport wagon and really maximising the load space.
wagonphile 4:19PM (7/02/2008)
Styling wise, it's a definite improvement. I've never understood the "sedan" body style-- why waste all that space above the trunk with empty air? Love the hatchbacks!
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Cypher09 4:23PM (7/02/2008)
Blistered fenders please.
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rav3 4:40PM (7/02/2008)
+1
and wider wheels/tires...
Franz 4:24PM (7/02/2008)
I like the look of this car a lot. I prefer it to Subaru's hatch.
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ZetoSanNi 4:28PM (7/02/2008)
Looks...awkward.
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Torrent 4:29PM (7/02/2008)
This looks much better now that I see it on the street.
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goalieguy314 4:37PM (7/02/2008)
Ouch.. front looks good, back not so much.
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