A 237bhp, hatchbacked junior Evo X? Er, no
A junior Evo X? That’s the obvious first thought on encountering the Lancer Ralliart, whose prey-sniffing snout and multi-vented bonnet are almost exactly those of its evil sibling. The cabin is an Evo clone, too. But then you notice it lacks the bulged-out wheelarches, and that it has – yes – a hatchback.
It is, in fact, the Ralliart Sportback, the only form in which this four-wheel-drive, but Active Yaw Control-less, machine will be sold in the UK. That’s partly to distance it from the Evo, and partly to align it with obvious rivals such as the Focus ST, Impreza WRX and Golf GTI.
Here, Mitsubishi’s 2-litre ‘world engine’ (it’s also used by Hyundai and Chrysler) is in 237bhp tune. For the UK it’s matched exclusively to the SST double-clutch transmission, and on paper the whole thing seems a very attractive package at around £21,500. Especially as 62mph should be reachable after a brisk seven seconds.
Source: evo
