EPA docs confirm 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback coming in GTS and Ralliart trims
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
Any chance we get to grill a Mitsubishi PR person about the 2009 Lancer Sportback, our questioning inevitably centers on whether the five-door will be packing the Lancer Ralliart's turbocharged, all-wheel-drivetrain. At the New York Auto Show, we were told that the Sportback would "probably" carry the Ralliart's 237-hp, turbocharged inline-four and Evo IX-derived AWD system, but nobody from Mitsubishi would confirmed it. Some snooping at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) website reveals that Mitsubishi has already filed with the Feds for three different drivetrains for the 2009 hatch, including the GTS' 2.4-liter four-pot attached to either a CVT or five-speed manual, and a 2.0-liter DOHC turbo equipped with an "Automatic (S6)." The automatic in question is almost assuredly the six-speed twin-clutch (TC-SST) gearbox available on the Ralliart. For those of you unable to get around the recently redesigned 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX hatch's shape, a credible contender has arrived, and it should be hitting dealers this spring.
[Source: EPA via IL]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Michael Scrip 4:15PM (12/02/2008)
If people thought the new Mazda3 had a silly smile... this Mitsubishi's new front looks like its mouth is wide open and yelling!
Reply
Will 4:24PM (12/02/2008)
You do realize this nose has been around for a year on the Evo, right?
Torrent 4:26PM (12/02/2008)
No one has a problem with Audi's grilles... Or because it's Luxury, does that make everything OK?
Michael Scrip 4:37PM (12/02/2008)
Yes I do realize that!
I was commenting on this article because of all the talk about the Mazda3 grill.
I like it! No worries!
BoneHeadOtto 6:02PM (12/02/2008)
Brave man bringing up silly smiles with that profile picture :)
Jake B 3:59AM (12/03/2008)
Talk about mega douche of the year in the picture.
Michael Scrip 4:41AM (12/03/2008)
> "Talk about mega douche of the year in the picture"
If you think that's bad... take a look at this. I wear funny costumes too:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Scrip/500181638
Before you can talk about my picture... you must show your picture. I'm pretty sure you're not a tachometer.
If you make one more comment without posting a new picture.... you automatically become the mega douche. I don't make the rules.
Alright folks... let's see what ol' Jakey will do!
Arthur J 4:25PM (12/02/2008)
Totally looks like a 4 door 2010 Focus RS
I hope to see a faster than 237hp version. Something to compete with the STI and RS(if it ever comes to the states)
Reply
Jason 5:10PM (12/02/2008)
What a horrible failure on Mitsus part, why did they have to keep the Twin Clutch auto? This vehicle would have been so much better with a 5 speed manual tranny.
Reply
Fau Veh 4:38PM (12/02/2008)
The next time you talk to a Mitsubishi Rep, can you ask whether they ever plan on putting a conventional manual transmission in the Ralliart Lancers? I understand the advantages of the dual-clutch transmission (I really do!), but I can't imagine ever buying a car without a clutch pedal.
Reply
Damon Lavrinc 4:50PM (12/02/2008)
They're talking about it, but no decision has been made yet.
cheezwiz 4:55PM (12/02/2008)
I totally agree with you, Fau. It's a non-starter without a manual. I guess they're going for the GT crowd. No thanks.
Mobius_1 6:26PM (12/02/2008)
FQ400 :)
Bullitt 8:41AM (12/03/2008)
Agreed. I took a Ralliart out with a young and very enthusiastic sales person for a test drive that lasted about 30 min. It was hilarious. This guy was digging the car so much that he didn't want to go back to the stealership.
It was a nice handling car. My only complaint is that there is no manual tranny available. I understand that this whole double clutch thing is the future of semi-automatic manuals transmissions. But after a few minutes I just left it to shift on its own. Even if for some reason I could no longer drive a manual car, I would just make do with an auto. I'll reserve the paddle shifters for my PS3 thanks.
Trent 4:48PM (12/02/2008)
237hp? I thought the wrx got it's power bump to compete with the ralliart? The wrx is going to wipe the floor with this thing...
Reply
Daniel 7:27PM (12/02/2008)
I got the impression that the WRX got the bump to make up for the decline in sti sales, due to the new Evo
Rob 2:59AM (12/03/2008)
You misspelled Mazdaspeed
Trent 10:00AM (12/03/2008)
what proof do you have that STi sales declined? i've seen plenty of new STi's, but i have NEVER seen an EVOX
John 4:52PM (12/02/2008)
Mitsu had a sportback Lancer a few years ago and it was a total flop. I don't think the overall demand for a sportback has changed that much in America. The demand for sportbacks is not that high in America with the exception of a few hard core enthusists.
However, a turbo Ralliart verson might boost sales a bit. If they can keep the price right near the Mazdaspeed 3 it will help.
Reply
BoneHeadOtto 9:07AM (12/03/2008)
Mitsu never had a sportback. not in the states. They had a volvoesque wagon. But the lancer was not a good seller so the uglier wagon wasnt either. I think that the matrix, vibe, mazda3, and scions prove that attractive hatches do sell in the US.