Ralliart revealed

While Mitsubishi's Evo X and Subaru's STi have a limited-edition snarl-off, the Ralliart will do battle in the high-volume arena.

It is a class the brand has ignored since the '09s, when it had a Lancer GSR, but the newcomer, revealed at the Detroit Motor Show, is a serious contender.

Power is delivered to the full-time all-wheel drive through the Evo X's twin-clutch, auto-manual transmission with paddles on the steering wheel.

It doesn't score the Super All Wheel Control drive system from the X, but has an active centre differential with an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that splits torque to the front and rear depending on different driving conditions and surfaces.

The styling is tamer than the X, but there is aggression in the body lines, twin outlet muffler and ducted aluminium bonnet that feeds air to the turbocharger.

The Ralliart should arrive here in the last quarter of 2008.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi will debut its Prototype-S concept of the Lancer line at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show in March.

It is powered by a 2-litre 4-cylinder DOHC MIVEC1 intercooler/turbocharger engine developing 177kW of power and 343Nm of torque, mated to Mitsubishi's high-efficiency Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission.

The full-time 4WD driveline features Mitsubishi's Active Centre Differential, which uses an electronically controlled multi-plate hydraulic clutch to tailor front/rear drive torque split to different driving conditions; delivering the best balance between steering response and traction.