Mitsubishi is going to unveil a new version of its Lancer compact, the Lancer Sportback at the Paris Motor Show.
The 2009 Lancer Sportback and Lancer Sportback Ralliart are going to be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show this October. The Lancer Sportback will be introduced in Europe this fall. The Sportback will be available with 1.5L, 1.8L or 2.0L engines. The Sportback Ralliart is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L engine that is mated to the Twin Clutch SST transmission that routes power to all four wheels.
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PRESS RELEASE:
Mitsubishi Motors unveils Lancer Sportback at Paris Motor Show
— Lancer Ralliart 4WD sports sedan also on display —
Tokyo, June 11 2008 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil, for the first time at an international motor show, the Lancer Sportback at the Le Mondial de l’Automobile 2008 (Paris Motor Show 2008) being held in Halls 1-8 of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from October 2 (October 4 for the general public) through October 19. The Lancer Sportback will have its European launch this fall with a phased introduction into the various countries in the region.
The company will also be displaying the Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Sportback Ralliart models that are based on the Lancer*1 sports sedan and Lancer Sportback. These models are powered by a turbocharged engine mated to Mitsubishi’s Twin Clutch SST (Sport Shift Transmission) and delivering power to all four wheels through an Active Center Differential.
*1 Named the Galant Fortis in Japan
With its inverted-slant nose and trapezoidal grille that defines the Mitsubishi Motors design identity the sporty Lancer Sportback is a 5-door sport hatchback, a body type that is very popular in Europe. The model is available in versions powered by 1.5-liter (109PS) or 1.8-liter (143PS) gasoline engines or by a 2.0-liter (140PS) turbo diesel engine. The Lancer Sportback offers an “auto-folding function” which enhances luggage compartment convenience through adjustable rear floor height and rear seatbacks that can be tipped forward via a lever located in the luggage compartment. The series is due to be joined by a model powered by Mitsubishi Motors’ new diesel engine in spring of 2009.
The Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Sportback Ralliart models use a new turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder DOHC MIVEC*2 engine [maximum output 177 kW (240PS), maximum torque 343 Nm (35 kgm)]. This is mated to Mitsubishi’s high-efficiency Twin Clutch SST transmission with an Active Center Differential, for extremely responsive steering and traction through tailoring the amount of torque fed to each wheel to optimally suit driving conditions. Also helping to significantly raise the basic performance attributes of these cars over the Lancer base model are 2-pot caliper front brakes and a larger brake master cylinder.
*2 Mitsubishi Innovative Valve lift and timing Electronic Control system
Comments (31)
turbo charge it, and i might like it.
Posted by cobaltssman | June 11, 2008 9:54 PM
Posted on June 11, 2008 21:54
Cobalt there is a turbo charged one, the ralliart one.
Should be fun since its awd as well.
Posted by Luke | June 11, 2008 11:25 PM
Posted on June 11, 2008 23:25
Read the article you redneck Cobalt driver...how's the resale on your rental? LMAO
Posted by Michael83 | June 12, 2008 12:03 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 00:03
Once again people harp on the Cobalt. Remember, it's the fastest fwd car in the world. Just because ssman is illiterate doesn't mean you should thrash his car, or his heritage.
The sportback Ralliart will not be super fast, like the Cobalt SS, but it will make a good alternative to the Mazdaspeed3 b/c of it's awd. It definitely looks beter, in my opinion, than any of the other sport hatches.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | June 12, 2008 5:26 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 05:26
Once again people harp on the Cobalt. Remember, it's the fastest fwd car in the world. Just because ssman is illiterate doesn't mean you should thrash his car, or his heritage.
The sportback Ralliart will not be super fast, like the Cobalt SS, but it will make a good alternative to the Mazdaspeed3 b/c of it's awd. It definitely looks better, in my opinion, than any of the other sport hatches.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | June 12, 2008 5:26 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 05:26
@ Michael83
So what type of exotic one-off car do you own that cannot be rented? It must definitely be something very unique and special. Please, do tell everyone here. Being such a rare beast it must definitely be priceless. Enlighten all reads on how special you truly are so we can bask in the glory that is your greatness.
Posted by zanzabar | June 12, 2008 5:36 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 05:36
fastest fwd in the world... thats like saying the smartest retard kid in the world, sure he can spell a few words and do a few fractions, but he's still trying to bite his elbows half the time.
I'm just messing with you, if fwd is what you like, then enjoy your cobalt.
it wouldn't suprise me if the ralliart would beat the pants off of the cobalt ss's and mazdaspeed 3's of the world around a track. Especially if that turbo is easily tuned.
A few years back it looked like Mitsu could be on the way out of the country. They've been hanging on for dear life since then. If they can get the ralliart starting at the right price, say... 18,999 or so, their future will seem a lot more secure
Posted by akkadain | June 12, 2008 5:48 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 05:48
Sometimes sarcasm doesn't come across on the internets....
Meehh, another go fast hatch back. You know I'm surprised the mini van is not completely dead. Fine you can't transport like 6-8 people in a standard small hatch, but how many people that have mini vans do that now? The suv's cut into that market pretty bad, and now I think these will replace a lot of your larger cars. That, or....
somewhere some uber tech will be unleashed and we will all still be driving 200+hp cars that are cheap(er..) to fill up (or drive, or what ever will be doing with them). Mr. Fusion, here we come!
Posted by Brian | June 12, 2008 5:54 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 05:54
For the record, I hate FWD. All of my cars are RWD. But the Cobalt is still very fast.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | June 12, 2008 6:18 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 06:18
So, is anyone else seeing that this looks almost identical to the new Subaru/Toyota hatchback that is coming out, albeit with five doors? Seems like it sould be cool, though. I, for one, am glad that the number of small car choices is exploding in size lately. The next few years should be really exciting for the sporty compact car market.
Posted by Jimb | June 12, 2008 6:59 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 06:59
I'm not fond of FWD performance cars... but I seem to recall the Cobalt SS put down some darn impressive lap times at Mid America - so I'd be careful about betting the ralliart would automatically roast it.
Posted by Dave K | June 12, 2008 7:03 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 07:03
ok lemme restate, cobalt ss vs. ralliart, in january, and with me on every corner of the track with a garden hose making it icy, ralliart will kick the pants off of the ss.
the fact that sarcasm doesn't translate well on the internet will never stop me!!!
Posted by akkadain | June 12, 2008 7:28 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 07:28
What kind of MPG numbers will the Ralliart get?
Posted by k2 | June 12, 2008 7:31 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 07:31
@AKK,
How are you going to be on every corner at once? That's impressive.
Posted by The Dork Report | June 12, 2008 7:34 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 07:34
looks like a mix-up between Toyota, Nissan, Honda with a bit of Chevy.
Like the color of the wheels, though.
Posted by gary | June 12, 2008 9:00 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 09:00
@ Gary
Did you ever realize you post the same thing on every car?
Cars look a like because they're all cars. Get over it.
Posted by Buck Futter | June 12, 2008 9:19 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 09:19
I like it and although I think the sedan is better looking, I'd pick the hatch. Anybody know if this is coming to the US/Canada?
Posted by gm0n3y | June 12, 2008 11:25 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 11:25
acually this looks alot like the euro focus which is a pretty good design although that grill is still hideous
Posted by unknown | June 12, 2008 12:05 PM
Posted on June 12, 2008 12:05
First of all this looks very little like the Subie, which is just a 3 door hatch version of the Impreza though they improved the looks a great deal.
Secondly the Sportback is coming to NA that info was leaked in Mitsubishi's finical report a few months ago, Expect it in early 2009.
And finally with 235 hp and 253 ft-lbs and what amounts to the all wheel drive system from the Evo 9. I suspect that the Ralliart will be plenty fast. The starting price should be around 25K for the Ralliart with the Twin Clutch SST, akkadain I suspect that Mitsu would loose money selling this car at 19K, I mean why should they sell something that targets dead on and will likely soundly beat the WRX for about the same cost as the regular Impreza (18.5K for the hatch version)?
Posted by Travis | June 12, 2008 1:01 PM
Posted on June 12, 2008 13:01
Small Bimmer threat?
Posted by harryo | June 12, 2008 1:08 PM
Posted on June 12, 2008 13:08
I like the design overall. I hope that that 5 door hatchback ("sportback") do find a larger audience in the States.
Posted by longdxcommuter | June 12, 2008 1:36 PM
Posted on June 12, 2008 13:36
does (sp) and that the... sorry I need more coffee
Posted by longdxcommuter | June 12, 2008 1:39 PM
Posted on June 12, 2008 13:39
@travis
Mitsu would be wise to price the ralliart at least 2-3k under the wrx because mitsu has a reputation for being far less reliable, and I know more than a few people that are still a little scared Mitsu might leave america and leave them without dealers or a warranty, so they stay away from Mitsu. I'm just saying Mitsu would be better off trying to volume sell, than maximize profit margin. sure they might sell well at the wrx price if the performance is better, but knock 2k off and they will fly off the dealers lots, creating a general public impression that mitsu is going strong, and maybe stealing some customers who might have preferred to go just a little slower in the safer and more reliable subie.
For 22k or under, I'd go ralliart, any more, regardless of performance advantage, I'm going wrx
Posted by akkadain | June 12, 2008 2:11 PM
Posted on June 12, 2008 14:11
That is one ugly car...
Posted by RX-7 Guy | June 12, 2008 3:10 PM
Posted on June 12, 2008 15:10
The SS cobalt is slower than a GXP solstic/Sly Same motor but the SS is a bit heaver and not as tight on the ground. All can be Tuned its a matter of how much money you want to drop in it. The point is in stock trim. Hard to believe the USA has the edge on the 2.0 SiDi Turbo still, oh no its american cant be so...
Nice car(Mish)but i like a rear drive 2 seater for the courners. Just more fun and frontwheel only well we know that is for MPG. This thing better get 30+ MPG and have 260hp or it falls short of the GM products allready. Oh and GM is going to selling a warrented 290-300HP tune for thier ectech SiDi 2.0 that should be out buy years end or early next. Sound GREAT with a warrenty to boot! Put 300 stock HP in a SS or a Solstice. You have a 100+ in the 1/4 and The Sols are all ready rocking scca allready should be nothing but fun. In stick with steak , keep the rice
Posted by Doc | June 12, 2008 7:58 PM
Posted on June 12, 2008 19:58
fist first of all, im not a red neck nor illiterate; im not white so there for not a red neck.
I saw that article last night before i went to bed, and i didnt read that there was a turbo. sweet. The only reason i got a cobalt SS was for the gas millage that i really dont get to enjoy because i drive pretty hard. Other wise i would of gotten a IS 300. But ive fallen in love with the SS, it was worth being on that waiting list.
Also im a UCLA student, so i doubt im illiterate. kthnks.
Posted by cobaltssman | June 12, 2008 9:24 PM
Posted on June 12, 2008 21:24
@ cobaltssman
Do they have a grammar class at UCLA you could take?
Posted by CCL | June 13, 2008 5:22 AM
Posted on June 13, 2008 05:22
Mitsu should invest more moeny into developing the Eclipse into a car people would actually buy. It should have rwd and a not-so-bloated exterior. Now, back to the main topic. The eclipse is prolly going to compete with the Matrix and Vibe having such a similar formfactor and usability. Their turbo engines have always been pretty good, we'll see how well this car performs.
Posted by JohnBo | June 13, 2008 6:31 AM
Posted on June 13, 2008 06:31
@ Doc
Um you do realize that there will be in Europe 1.5, 1.8 and 2.0 Diesel versions with FWD, And then a Ralliart version (the one pictured) which will be a 235 hp and 253 hp, (AWD not FWD) version with the trick Transmission. The AWD system is almost a direct lift of the one on the Evo 9, so even without the wide body kit I would be shocked if this car manages less than .9 G on the skidpad in stock form. In tearms of handling Mitsu has devloped AWD systems that are the equal if not superior to pretty much any RWD car on the market, the new Evo X handles roughly 1G on the skidpad for instance, and it also runs the cones at almost exactly the same speed as a Ferrari Enzo. Even with a detuned engine, less advanced AWD and detuned suspension and less agressive tires, I would bet that the Ralliart is going to be a Very impressive car in the twistys, that is after all the entire point of it's existance.
Posted by Travis | June 14, 2008 9:57 AM
Posted on June 14, 2008 09:57
the ultimate hairdresser-in-brighton car
Posted by waldorf and statler | June 14, 2008 10:52 AM
Posted on June 14, 2008 10:52
audi called they want there grill back
Posted by dennisil | June 17, 2008 12:59 PM
Posted on June 17, 2008 12:59