Inside n' Out: Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

Mitsubishi have announced that the Lancer Ralliart has gone on sale in Japan as the Galant Fortis Ralliart, making the Japanese market the first to sample Mitsubishi's first true WRX-fighter.
Firstly, we have that 2-litre 4B11 engine. It's essentially the same motor as that used by the Evolution X, albeit with a smaller turbo to enhance low to midrange torque. It produces 177kW at 6000rpm and 343Nm at a handy 3000rpm and like the Evo X's engine, the Ralliart's 4B11 also features MIVEC variable valve timing and 4 valves per cylinder. There may be more subtle differences between the two engines that Mitsubishi aren't telling us about, but for the most part they're fairly interchangeable. Given the similarities between the Evo X and Lancer Ralliart engine-wise, there should be little problem when it comes to extracting more power as most bolt-on upgrades designed for the Evo X should work on the Ralliart without much modification. Indeed, if you want easy power from your Ralliart, why not just drop in an Evo X turbo and ECU?
While it may seem that the Ralliart is just a detuned Evo X GSR with eight-tenths the capability at three-quarters the cost, don't be fooled: there are still a few areas where the Evo X has the upper hand. The chassis of the Ralliart lacks the rear cross-brace of the Evo, and sacrifices a smidgin of torsional rigidity as a result. Mitsubishi also chose to keep costs down on the Ralliart by using suspension links and uprights made out of steel, rather than the lightweight aluminium pieces found in the 'X. The Lancer Ralliart's track is also narrower and while its suspension is stiffer and lower than the base Lancer, its still nowhere near as track-ready as the Evo X's.

The Ralliart's purchase price of ¥2,982,000 is also worryingly close to that of the base model Evo X RS, which costs just ¥15,750 more at ¥2,997,750. Sure, you may get the lightning-quickness of the TC-SST gearbox in the Ralliart whereas the RS makes do with a 5-speed H-pattern manual, but remember that the Evo's 4B11 packs 29kW and 79Nm more than the Ralliart AND it has a more sophisticated suspension to boot. There's no doubting that the Ralliart is a very capable car, but is it really worth it when you can get into the big-daddy Evo X for just a few Yen more? I know which one I'd pick, but what about you? Comment away.



The Ralliart's transmission is also a point of interest. Like its engine, the Ralliart's twin-clutch sequential gearbox is also shared with the Evo X, except where it's a cost option on the 'X, it's standard fitment on the Ralliart. That's a definite boon for Mitsubishi fans on a budget, as the TC-SST gearbox has won acclaim for its lightning-quick shifts and superb shift patterns from none other than Keiichi Tsuchiya, everyone's favourite JDM race driver. It could prove to be a double-edged sword however, as its ability to handle higher-than-stock horsepower is still unproven and it could become a rather sizable obstacle for those who plan to drive their cars hard.

Unlike the engine, you won't be able to get away with parts-swapping between the new Evo and the Ralliart when it comes to the gearbox. The ratios for 5th and 6th gear are now taller to allow more sedate cruising, and shift modes have been cut down from three to just two: Sport and Normal.
www.chromjuwelen.com/.../inside-n-out-mitsubishi-lancer-ralliart.html - Jerman