Yes, I know. The Lancer Sportback Ralliart isn’t intended to be in direct competition with the Legacy. You don’t have to tell me. ;) But I’m fairly certain my eyes still haven’t fully recovered from the horror of the Subaru Legacy Concept, although looking at the gorgeous rear end of the 2010 Mitsu Lancer Sportback Ralliart does help a fair bit.
It’s no LanEvo X, nor does it pretend to be. Instead, it’s Mitsubishi’s way of saying “Hey, we can still help you be cool…even if you can’t quite afford a LanEvo X. You can still be part of the Mitsu family.” If you choose to go with the Sportback Ralliart, you’ll get that familiar 2.0-L turbocharged inline 4 that you already know and love, which produces 237 HP and 253 lb-ft of torque. You’ll also get an active center differential, all wheel drive, and Mitsu’s twin-clutch 6-speed Sportronic trans—which you’ll shift with magnesium-alloy flappy paddles. Alas, no active yaw control—but really, you could do a whole lot worse than what’s on offer here.
And what’s that cute, tiny red Mitsu concept in the corner in a couple of these shots? More on that tomorrow. :D
[Photos: Joe Lucente]