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.
[Sources: The Auto Union, Autoweek.nl]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2004m3driver @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:01PM
That's kinda cool. I wish it was a bit less stubby though. Then it would look gorgeous.
Dude @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:11PM
I know it's crazy fast, but it looks kinds goofy. Make it a three-door hatch and it would look better.
BlackCanary @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:14PM
No it is not. This is not an EVO. Maybe its just that picture but it looks wierd.
BlackCanary @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:17PM
....wanted to add that the Black one and the White one look cool. Wierd angle in the pic above makes it look funny.
Iridium @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:11PM
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.
Steven @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:13PM
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.
chrisdavis @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:43PM
+1 verbatim
Stephen @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:28AM
+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 @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:18PM
SaaButt.
psu48187 @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:18PM
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.
Aprime @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:30PM
Sexy is the Astra sloping end, this isn't sexy.
Rootus @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:46PM
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 @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:47AM
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 @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:19PM
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!
Cypher09 @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:23PM
Blistered fenders please.
rav3 @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:40PM
+1
and wider wheels/tires...
Franz @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:24PM
I like the look of this car a lot. I prefer it to Subaru's hatch.
ZetoSanNi @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:28PM
Looks...awkward.
Torrent @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:29PM
This looks much better now that I see it on the street.
goalieguy314 @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:37PM
Ouch.. front looks good, back not so much.