MIMS 2008 Ralliart Lancer

Of course with Mitsubishi’s cease-fire on local manufacturing, there ‘is’ a 380 on its Melbourne Motor Show stand, but it’s painted black and tucked away in the back corner.

As a full-line import operation, McEniry was proud to boast that in February, the company saw a 5 percent sales increase over 2007, along with a 20 percent increase of import sales. That’s largely down to the new Lancer line-up which is being spearheaded by the Evolution X due in May.

Power output and torque for the Australian Evo X has been officially set at 217kW and 336Nm.

There will be two specifications, a base-spec model (unofficially dubbed the GSR) and the up-specced MR with the SST dual-clutch gearbox.

To slightly confuse the issue, Mitsubishi will also offer a Performance Pack for the five-speed manual base model which includes the bigger Brembo brakes, BBS alloys and firmer Bilstein suspension from the MR model.

A race-spec RS version will also be available through Ralliart for tarmac rallies.

The stove hot Evo will be joined in August by Mitsubishi’s WRX-killer, the Ralliart Lancer. The long-awaited all-wheel drive turbo Lancer will finally rejoin the Australian line-up since its departure in 1995. It was then when the market was about to explode, buoyed by the then-new Subaru WRX.

There is certainly a lot to be impressed about: the Ralliart Lancer runs a 2.0-litre turbo with front-mounted intercooler, and all-wheel drive through 215/45 18-inch tyres, one inch larger than the WRX. The same dual-clutch SST transmission from the Evo will feature in the Ralliart Evo, along with an adjustable centre differential, another advantage it will have over WRX whose latest incarnation has become heavier, slower and, some would say, more optically challenged.

Power - and you can probably see this coming - is a WRX-eclipsing 177kW, aided by MIVEC variable cam timing. Torque figures were announced, but yet to be confirmed.

Launched as a sedan, a Sportback coupe version will be added to the Lancer range around September, just n time for the Sydney motor show.

The Ralliart Lancer sedan will be priced “very competitively” smiles McEniry. Given the WRX is $39,990, expect similar numbers.