2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart has been unveiled almost a year ago and aims to be a less expensive alternative for the Lancer Evo X. The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is powered by the same 4B11 T/C Turbo 2.0 liter engine that powers the Evo X, but tuned to output 237 hp at 6000 rpm and 253 lb.-ft. of torque at 3000 rpm instead of the 295 hp in the Evo. The engine of the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is coupled with the 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) that has only 2 operating modes, Normal and Sport, instead of three in the Evo. The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is also fitted with 4-wheel drive (4WD) and the All-Wheel Control (AWC) system that includes an Active Center Differential (ACD).

As far as the styling goes, the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart has a similar styling as the Evo X, without the wider body kit and the higher boot spoiler.

Mitsubishi Press Release:

The new-for-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is based on the Lancer GTS platform, adopting powertrain and 4-wheel drive technology from the Lancer Evolution. The result is a unique model optimized for exhilarating yet balanced overall road performance. The Lancer Ralliart gets a modified version of the Lancer Evolution 4B11 T/C turbocharged/intercooled 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC engine, teamed with the Twin Clutch-Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) from the Evolution MR model. Starting with a Lancer Evolution long block assembly, the turbocharger, intercooler and valve timing are modified for impressive street-oriented performance in the Ralliart application.

The Lancer Ralliart engine produces 237 hp at 6,000 RPM and 253 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 3,000 RPM. (Evolution: 291 hp and 300 lb.-ft.) The driver can manually shift using the console shifter or the Sportronic steering column-mounted magnesium-alloy paddle shifters, or can select fully automatic operation. The Lancer Ralliart's TC-SST unit features Normal and Sport shifting modes (but not the ultra-performance S-Sport mode featured in the Evolution MR.)

The 2009 Lancer Ralliart is a unique new model designed for driving enthusiasts who value exhilarating yet balanced overall road performance. The name is inspired by Ralliart, the performance and motorsports division of Mitsubishi, which has claimed World Rally Championships in addition to dominating the Dakar Rally. With the 2009 Lancer Ralliart, the Ralliart name is fomented as the performance brand for Mitsubishi Motors.

The 2009 Lancer Ralliart is powered by a modified version of the Lancer Evolution's turbocharged / intercooled 2.0-liter MIVEC engine, but tuned for strong low-end and mid-range torque. The standard Active Center Differential (ACD) full-time 4-wheel drive system is essentially the same as used in the previous-generation U.S.-spec Lancer Evolution models.

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2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

The hot hatch market has pretty much been a two horse race to date, Volkswagen’s iconic GTi or Subaru’s WRX – but enter the tough new kid on the block, the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, and that’s all changed. Mitsubishi’s product planning guy, and the man responsible for getting its product to market, is Chris Maxted and he’s very confident the new Lancer Ralliart Sportback and Sedan will sell at least 150 a month, with supply constrained by the availability of the sensational dual clutch, SST gearbox.

Lancer Ralliart is just the car for the person who might want the thrill of an EVO X but either doesn’t want to drive something that hard edged or cannot justify the $60,000+ spend. As the spiritual descendant of the much-lamented Lancer GSR the all-wheel drive, turbocharged Lancer Ralliart is effectively a detuned version of the high-performance EVO X.

According to Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) president and chief executive officer, Robert McEniry, the Lancer Ralliart is targeted squarely at a specific audience. Available in either Sportback or Sedan body styles, the Lancer Ralliart shares a retuned version of the 4B11, 2.0-litre turbocharged and intercooled DOHC four-cylinder engine that powers the Lancer Evolution.

Lancer Ralliart will share much of the technical enhancements that make the Lancer Evolution a dynamically superior vehicle when it comes to active safety, handling and vehicle control. The all-wheel drive system – called All Wheel Control - includes Active Traction Control, Active Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist.

The Lancer Ralliart has 18×7.0JJ alloy wheels with 215/45R18 89W tyres, again carried over from the VRX, and Mr Maxted admitted that Mitsubishi would have liked a unique wheel for the Ralliart but none suitable were available in time for the release.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart will be available in Cool Silver, Red Metallic, Solid White, Black Mica or Lightning Blue. It’s definitely a great addition to the ‘hot hatch’ segment of the market and one that will certainly threaten the major players.

© Source: caradvice
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2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Preview

Automotive companies do battle on various levels. Their economy cars face off against the next guy's el-cheapo Kleenex box. Mid-range entries battle for volume supremacy. High-performance models duke it out at the upper end for headlines in the enthusiast press.

The 2009 Ralliart looks to fill the gap in Mitsubishi's Lancer lineup that includes the base Lancer models and the esteemed Evolution. At the Detroit auto show where the Ralliart made its debut, Mitsubishi had two previous Ralliart-badged cars to help position their newest model. The older Galant and Starion were both road-rally terrors in their day, and it was nice to see Mitsubishi polish-up those old racers and show them to the world.

The Ralliart is powered by a new 2.0-liter intercooled and turbocharged engine that develops about 235 horsepower, up from the base Lancer at 153 but well shy of the Evo's 291.

The direct-shift twin-clutch six-speed gearbox (like the Evo) feeds all four wheels via a full-time system with the manufacturer's Active Center Differential. The ACD employs an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch center differential that directs torque forward or back depending on what's going on at each exact moment. Front helical and rear mechanical limited slip differentials ensure the Mitsu can put down as much power as the road surface allows.

The Ralliart sports a more aggressively styled nose and arse, the latter featuring twin exhaust tips. Inside, the changes are minor, but include paddle shifters from the Evo. Tempting options will quickly escalate the Ralliart's base price; Recaro seats, HID headlights, 650 watt Rockford Fosgate nine-speaker audio system, Sirius satellite radio, power sunroof, and a 30 GB Hard Drive Navigation system.

The exact rollout schedule and final pricing for the Ralliart aren't set yet, but as more facts become available, we'll fill you in. It should be interesting to see how this new Lancer fares against its nemeses from Subaru and Mazda.

© Source: thecarconnection
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