Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart road test
Written By Lee Sibbald Published On: Mar 31 2009
Mitsubishi's Evolution X, a supercar for those without jobs in hedge funds, is quick, powerful and has huge levels of grip. But prices still start at £27K, rising to £38K if you want a fully specced FQ360. The Lancer on which the Evo is based is a lot cheaper – £10,499 to £18,499 – but it's nowhere near as engaging to drive. So Mitsubishi has hit upon a cunning plan, launching a car largely based on the Sportback-bodied Lancer, but with some of the mechanicals from the current and last generation Evos. Say hello to the Lancer Sportback Ralliart.
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The Ralliart car is, in essence, an Evo-lite, with its detuned 2.0-litre 16-valve MIVEC engine generating 236bhp (as opposed to the Evo's 290bhp) at 6,000rpm and 252lb-ft of torque at 3,000rpm. As such, it isn't quite the same hardcore machine, but it is relatively quick and responsive, turning in a 0-62mph time of 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 136mph. The engine is mated to the same Sport Shift Transmission (SST) in the Evo X, a dual-clutch gearbox with two settings – Normal and Sport – as opposed to the Evo's three. The 'box can either be used as a conventional auto or as a sequential manual, using the shift selector or the steering column-mounted paddleshifts. The shifts are quick and smooth in the Normal mode, but have a tendency to jerkiness in Sport, especially at low speed. That said, it is a well-built and effective transmission.
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