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2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
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| Evolution Evolves |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:50:47 |
| Rating |
 8238 ( -422 -5.12% ) | | Author | Dan Lyons |
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Description:
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
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2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart. Ralliart is the name of Mitsubishi's racing division and the models so badged will be "rolling showcases for affordable performance".
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart. The Sportback's four makes 162 hp @ 5,750 rpm and 162 lb. ft. @ 4,000 rpm.
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2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart. The sport bucket seats up front are courtesy of an Evolution model native to the Japanese market (the GT-A).
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart. Mitsubishi now looks to plug the gap between their fleet flagship and the rest of the lineup with the introduction of the new Lancer Ralliarts.
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2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart. The 2.4 liter four has good response up and down the rpm range with no noticeable flat spots.
Last year, Mitsubishi let America sample a special car, seen previously only in the Japanese market. New to us, yes, but the Evolution has been, well, evolving for over 10 years on Mitsubishi's home turf. Pushing $30,000, the Evo is pricey for a performance pocket rocket, but an impressive performer it is, and a sure image polisher for the company.
Mitsubishi now looks to plug the gap between their fleet flagship and the rest of the lineup with the introduction of the new Lancer Ralliarts. Ralliart is the name of Mitsubishi's racing division and the models so badged will be "rolling showcases for affordable performance". Lancer Ralliarts will be offered in sedan and Sportback versions, and we recently tested the latter, decked out in a conservative shade of Lightning Yellow.
Under the hood in Ralliart cars is a new motor. Special valve timing and lift technology helps draw a wide power band from Mitsubishi's 2.4 liter four cylinder. The Sportback's four makes 162 hp @ 5,750 rpm and 162 lb. ft. @ 4,000 rpm. Different cam profiles are used above and below 3,500 rpm, resulting in a fluid feeling engine that drives bigger than its displacement suggests, and returns good economy. By EPA's reckoning, gas mileage for the Sportback is 22 mpg's city, 28 highway. Sportback models are offered only with a four speed automatic transmission. The slick shifting five speed manual was borrowed from the Evolution but only made available on the Ralliart sedan - a distinct disappointment for Sportback intenders.
Sportback is based on the Lancer's unit chassis, reinforced to stiffen the body structure. Notable among these are steps taken at both ends. The cargo door opening has fortified framing, while up front, a bright red, tubular, three-point brace strengthens the strut towers. Spring rates, shock dampers and bushings have been tightened up in the Ralliart's sport suspension. Increasing the diameter of the rack and removing the damper resulted in quicker steering response and better feel through the wheel. Tires have been upgraded to V-rated 205/50-16's, wrapped around five spoke alloy rims. Binders have been beefed up as well, with bigger discs and calipers on all four corners, more boost, standard ABS and Electronic Brake force Distribution.
Sportback's fun side shows up early and often on the road. The 2.4 liter four has good response up and down the rpm range with no noticeable flat spots. It gets from 0-60 in a little under 8 seconds and cruises there at 2,500 rpm, sounding unstressed. The Sportback's steering is direct without being twitchy. Tire/weather issues aside (more about that momentarily), the Ralliart feels low and sticky and just plain hunkered down on the road. Cornering is flat and progressive and though the body's been stiffened up, the ride won't cause your back to. Road bumps and thumps are evident but never rise to the level of harshness. The four wheel disc brakes feel stout.
Mitsubishi calls the up-rated tread all season performance tires, though we found both parts of that description unconvincing. The Bridgestone Potenzas fitted on our Sportback were OK on cold, dry pavement, but clearly not happy campers in the snow. The same advice applies here as it would to any performance car buyer who lives in areas of the country afflicted with bad winter weather. Leave enough in the budget to allow for a set of four snow tires.
Sportback's affordable performance is wrapped in a practical, wagon package. Lift the tailgate and you have access to 24.9 cubic feet of space, 60.7 if you fold both rear seats flat forward. The Sportback will hold four average size adults inside, six footers will be a little pinched in back for leg room if the people up front are similarly long of limb. The sport bucket seats up front are courtesy of an Evolution model native to the Japanese market (the GT-A). They provide the driver with a comfortable perch to take in a very straight forward collection of gauges and switchgear. HVAC controls are rheostat style, and an easy read. The 140 watt AM/FM/CD sound system has six speakers on Ralliarts, cruise control is standard as are side impact airbags, and leather wrapped steering wheel, gear shifter and parking brake cover. It's a mostly black on black theme inside, with contrast provided by faux-carbon accents, white-faced gauges and red patterned seat inserts. Outside style for Sportback Ralliart comes in the form of a lower body kit, with chin, side and rear air dams. A model specific grille and tinted headlamp covers share face time with projector beam fog lamps mounted low in the front dam. A small Ralliart badge hangs on the lift back door.
Mitsubishi's Lancer lineup now stretches from Lancer ES, LS and OZ sedans through Sportback LS, the Ralliart twins (sedan & wagon) and finally, the all wheel drive Evolution. The Ralliarts are welcome additions, offering performance, utility and a good bang for the buck. "Sportback", Mitsubishi says, "helps to revive a nearly extinct species of automobile: the affordable compact sport wagon." It's a breed worth saving. The Sportback is particularly well suited for people who often need to carry some stuff along for the ride, but don't want/need an oversized vehicle, and still like to carve the occasional corner.
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
Reviewer's Notes
MSRP: $19,197
As Tested: $19,792
Plus: Rangy motor, sticky suspension, practical, good value
Minus: No five speed stick option, tire choice key to handling, wet or dry
---Story by Dan Lyons
---Photos by Dan Lyons
© Dan Lyons 2004. All Rights Reserved. |
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