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2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Road Test

A Thoroughly Satisfying Sport Compact

In the Canadian market, as far as Mitsubishis are concerned, Lancer and Evolution are two mutually exclusive entities. While you might catch a glimpse of the legendary machine that rewrote the rulebook on performance cars on magazine stands, or at an SCCA Pro-Rally event, its nothing in comparison to our neighbours to the south, who receive their very own version of the rally weapon.

Since Mitsubishis entry into the Canadian market in 2001, I, along with most enthusiasts, have been anticipating the arrival of the Lancer Evolution... but four years and three Evos later, still nothing. Every time I ask, theres always the same excuse - problems with Canadas "no-damage" five mph bumper regulation and the cars front fascia-mounted oil cooler (the U.S. makes do with a 2.5 mph regulation). But until

Until the five mph bumper regulation is changed, the closest thing Canada will get to the mighty Mitsubishi Evo is the Lancer Ralliart. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

our government either changes this ridiculous rule, designed solely to placate insurance companies, or Mitsubishi replaces the current EVO with a new model designed with the Canadian market in mind, the Japanese company at least has concocted a little something to soothe our adrenaline-fueled cravings - the Lancer Ralliart.

First things first: do not confuse the Lancer Ralliart with the Lancer OZ-Rally. There is much more to this machine

First things first: do not confuse the Lancer Ralliart with the Lancer OZ-Rally. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

than the OZ, which is a decently equipped and visually tarted-up version of the basic ES model. Aside from sharing a few exclusive colours with the Ralliart, theres nothing to back up the "Rally" claim its name suggests. To me, the whole model is rather pointless and lacks appeal, particularly when the only major difference is "special" 15-inch alloy wheels, a size that was cool a decade or two ago. Im also stumped about the partnership with OZ anyway - the Italian wheel maker doesnt even sponsor or supply Mitsubishis rally team with their wheels. But were not here to dwell

The Ralliart team is responsible for churning out some of the worlds most capable race cars, despite being crafted from humdrum daily drivers. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

on the marketing ploy that is the OZ; lets move on to the much more worthy Ralliart.

Ralliart is Mitsubishis skunk works tuner division. Like SVT (Ford) or AMG (Mercedes-Benz), the Ralliart team is responsible for churning out some of the worlds most capable race cars, despite being crafted from humdrum daily drivers. Their no-mercy attitude towards winning has netted the Ralliart-engineered Lancer Evolution one manufacturers title and four drivers titles in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Mention Ralliart in the same sentence as Paris-Dakar

The Lancer Ralliart is not a cut-price Evolution, an important fact which some people fail to note. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

within earshot of a rally sport enthusiast and you will hear no end about Mitsubishis victories with their Pajero Evolution, a highly modified three-door version of its Montero SUV. In recent years, and as far as I can remember, Mitsubishi has taken home something to put on its mantle from this gruesome cross-continental adventure.

But to most North Americans, Ralliart has little to no meaning, and for that matter neither does Lancer in comparison to names like Corolla and Civic. In order to lift the cars nonexistent image onto the radar screens of potential buyers, Mitsubishi came to the conclusion that it had little to lose and much to prove and decided to

Looks, style and street cred are extremely important in the puddle-deep market of sports compacts. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

build a proper sport compact - a critical decision in a market that targets the spirited driver.

But theres more to understand about the Lancer Ralliart. First of all, it is not a cut-price Evolution, a major fact which people fail to note. Expect this, and you will be sorely disappointed, but thats because this isnt the cars purpose. Mitsubishi wanted to reinforce its image of building spirited, fun-to-drive machines, like it did with the original DSM cars (Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, etc.). The main goal, instead, was too eat into the burgeoning sport compact market, and build up an image of a compact sedan that can tear apart "sporty" rivals such as the Civic SiR hatch, Cavalier Z24, Sentra SE-R and company.

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