Paris debut for Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart

Posted Thu Sep 25 2008 5:51 AM by Kenneth Hall

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
Lancer Sportback Ralliart gets the same detuned 4B11 Evo X engine as the sedan

Details about Mitsubishi’s Lancer Ralliart were first revealed as far back as January’s Detroit Auto Show, and were followed by the reveal of the new Lancer Sportback in June. Mitsubishi has now announced that the high-performance Lancer Sportback Ralliart will make its official debut next week at the Paris Auto Show.

Like the sedan, the new Sportback Ralliart packs a 237hp (177kW) turbocharged four-cylinder - a detuned version of the same 4B11 found in the Evo X – and is available with either a five-speed manual or the trick TC-SST dual-clutch gearbox. The car also comes with an active center differential, standard AWD, and twin-piston front brake calipers.

The standard Sportback models are available with either a 109hp (81kW) 1.5L engine or a 143hp (106kW) 1.8L engine or a 140hp (104kW) 2.0L turbodiesel. Inside, there’s an ‘auto-folding function’ that increases luggage space via an adjustable rear floor and folding seats. The vehicle is 4,585mm long (the sedan is 4,570mm) and offers up to 344L of space with the rear seats up and expands to 1,394L when the seats are folded.

The new Lancer Sportback range, including the high-performance Ralliart model, will go on sale in Europe soon after its Paris debut. The carmaker is yet to confirm if the Sportback and any of its variants will be offered in the United States, but if it is give the green light you can expect pricing for the Sportback model to be slightly higher than the sedan, which starts at $26,490.

Mitsubishi will also use the Paris event to present the facelifted version of its Colt minicar, which you can see in our previous story by clicking here.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart 2009

Reader Comments

  • Tue Sep 30 2008 5:11 PM

    azlan says

    cool just dotn fall into the ugly trap that subaru did

  • Sun Nov 9 2008 9:00 PM

    mburleigh8 says

    This new sport back looks cool. hopfully they can make it a little more affordable the the EVO

Leave a Comment

Login or register to leave comments.