2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Review

Not just a stronger and sticker version of the basic Lancer, the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is truly a baby EVO. In fact, the Ralliart trumps the globally renowned Lancer Evolution in several ways – notably usability and price.

The Ralliart trumps the globally renowned Lancer Evolution in several ways.

The Ralliart was introduced in 2009 to fight head-to-head with the always-welcomed Subaru WRX. Both of these rivals transform their simple compact car origins into turbo all-wheel-drive ‘boy racers’. So what kind of driving experience does the Ralliart provide? Well come along for a ride…

You jump into the heated and manually-adjusted Recaro cloth seats to find a well bolstered driving position. You’ll forgive the seat’s cheesy faux carbon fibre accents the first time they excellently transfer your lateral g’s.

Next you adjust the multi-function steering wheel only to learn that it doesn’t telescope. You’ll overlook that missing feature because the leather-wrapped steering wheel is direct and nicely weighted. You put on your seatbelt and adjust your mirrors to find the rear wing takes a slice out of your rear view. You might forgive that knowing this car may be rarely overtaken.

You put the key into the ignition and the 2.0-litre 237-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder motor spins alive; thankfully the exhaust note stays relatively muted until high engine speeds are reached. Put your foot on the brake and shift the six-speed dual-clutch transmission into drive, plant the accelerator and you’re off!

Be it on tarmac, gravel, or snow, the Ralliart has settings to maximize acceleration. You needn’t worry with this car if you are stuck at the bottom of a snow-covered on-ramp looking for a gap in traffic to merge into. Mind you, you will still need winter tires to corner and stop.

As long as you keep pressing forward, the Ralliart functions brilliantly. It’s only once you reach your cruising speed that you notice the revs staying higher than needed. Maybe this is a function of keeping the revs in the power band (which is the middle third of the available 6,500 RPMs), but under about 50 km/h the Ralliart’s distain for up-shifting makes for a very touchy throttle.

Be it on tarmac, gravel, or snow, the Ralliart has settings to maximize acceleration.