Mitsubishi Lancer EX Ralliart 2.0 Review
The Art of Lightness

Not sure if you remember it but Mitsubishi actually offered  the Lancer Ralliart model in its previous iteration here about five years ago. I certainly remembered the time when I drove the Lancer Ralliart 1.8GDI Turbo in 2004. It was one of the more disappointing cars that I drove during that period. I actually thought it was a ‘meaningless’ car – it looked like a GLX Lancer other than the larger bumpers o the outside, it had a terrible CVT gearbox mated to a rather gutless engine. Worse still, it was more expensive than a more powerful and sophisticated Subaru WRX at that time.

So it was with apprehension when I learnt that Mitsubishi had introduced a new Ralliart Lancer model based on the popular Lancer EX/Evo X. The new Lancer EX Ralliart is designed for driving enthusiasts who want a performance machine with everyday usability says its maker. So let’s see how it fares.  

Outwardly, the Ralliart is a mix of the Evo X and the EX  GT. Without the Evo’s swollen wheel arches and offset front number plate treatment, the Ralliart doesn’t make your heart goes racing when you look at it even though all cars sold here will come with dealer fitted a Ralliart carbon front lip spoiler, Enkei wheels and other enhancements.

The Ralliart’s rear wing is in between an Evo’s and the EX GT’s in terms of size and presence– like the Evo’s, it bisects the rear view so you’d have to look twice in the eventuality of white WRXs with flashing blue lights trying hard to keep up with you – it makes for a good tea tray as well. Considering its sporting pretensions though, the Ralliart’s looks lack aggression as it looks rather too much like an EX GT despite the cosmetic enhancements.