Aimed squarely at the popular hatchback and sedan Imprezas, the base Sportback will come in four cylinder 1.5L, 1.8L or 2.0L turbodiesel models, with the Sportback Ralliart recieving a 2.0L, 177kw/321nM turbocharged MIVEC four.

The Evolution X’s AWD system, Twin Clutch SST and Active Centre Differential round out the Sportback’s impressive list of features.

[Source: NetCarShow ]

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart:

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

Both the front and rear of the Colt have been extensively overhauled, to suit the aggressive new snout. The new car comes in both three and five door forms, with an almost micro-van like rear end to increase capacity.

Intended to go head to head with the likes of Toyota’s Yaris and Honda’s Fit/Jazz, the new Mitsubishi can be optioned with fuel sipping 1.1L to 1.5L 4 cylinder petrol engines, and a 1.5L DI-D diesel.

2009 Mitsubishi Colt Teasers

At first glance the teaser displays the now familiar cues we associate with Mitsubishi’s  new Lancer, but the proportions appear a good deal smaller, and the headlights are definitely rounded, as opposed to the standard Lancer’s sharp lights.

Speculation is rife about the new vehicle, but the two likeliest candidates are the Concept cX and the new face-lifted Colt. We’ll see what transpires come October 2nd.

Press Release:

MITSUBISHI 2008 PARIS MOTOR SHOW PRESS CONFERENCE

Three World Premieres

• Press Conference — October 2nd at 10.45 AM, Hall 3
• Keynote speakers: Kurihara-san (Head of Product Strategy at MMC) and Tim Tozer (MME’s President & CEO)
• MMSP (Mitsubishi’s motor sports team) representatives also available

Mitsubishi Motors are happy to welcome you to their stand for their Press Conference at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show, and the unveiling of a string of significant new products, on October 2nd at 10.45 AM, Hall 3.

Three World Premieres:

• Lancer Sportback — Mitsubishi’s distinctive 5-door “Sports Hatch” for the C/D segments.
• Racing Lancer — Mitsubishi’s entry at the 2009 Dakar Rally, modelled after Lancer Sportback and powered by an all-new 3.0 V6 turbo-diesel engine.
• Mitsubishi Motors will reserve a third world premiere for the Paris Motor Show (see below), which can only be discussed on October 2nd.

A European Premiere:
Paris will also see the European premiere of the 240PS Lancer Ralliart, in both Sports Saloon and Sportback (5-door hatch) forms.

What is All Japan Day?

Sick and tired of car shows that spend so much time promoting themselves that they’ve forgotten all about the cars?

So was the All Japan Day organising committee! We decided to band together and create a simple event that ‘got back to basics’ and allowed entrants and spectators to do what they love doing best — just admire and talk about the sensational cars on display. By keeping it simple, we’ve also kept the costs down, which has benefited both entrants and spectators.

We are very excited about our inaugural event on 27 April 2008 and we hope its success will encourage suitable entrants from interstate (maybe even overseas? Mazda please send us a 787B racer!) in future years.

So, come and enjoy us for a relaxing day out and be dazzled by some of Australia’s finest Japanese automobiles.

So for those of you in Adelaide who love Japanese cars, head over to the All Japan Day website to learn about becoming an entrant and spectator.

The strictly concept only (Sorry, guys and girls) Concept RA sports a 2.2 litre, DOHC 16-valve 150kw/201HP/420nm high output, clean burn diesel engine, as part of Mitsubishi’s new drive towards eco-friendly performance sports cars.

In order to achieve low consumption while not sacrificing performance means the Concept RA features Mitsubishi’s proprietary MIVEC variable valve control technology, an all aluminum space frame, variable diffuser/variable geometry turbocharger, peizoelectric injector system and also sports some impact resistant, recyclable plastic resin panels as part of it’s construction.

Environmental features include a new catalytic converter system that combines a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), NOx trap catalyst (NTC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) in addition to the highly efficient 2.2 litre clean burning diesel.

Of course, the Concept RA sports Fulltime 4WD, Twin Clutch SST Transmission, and the new S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) most notably seen on the new EVO. As mentioned before on IJ, S-AWC is a combination of existing technologies, Active Center Differential, Active Yaw Control, ABS and Active Stability Control.

Unfortunately though, all this is to be shelved as the car is designed purely as a concept, and won’t challenge either Honda’s offering in the new CRZ (CRX) or Toyota’s rumored new ‘AE86’.

PRESS RELEASE

MITSUBISHI Concept-RA

Illustrating the fact that thrilling performance and environmental responsibility need not be mutually exclusive concepts, MITSUBISHI Concept-RA features the S-AWC vehicle dynamics control system and the Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission used in the Lancer Evolution. The car is powered by a new high-output, high-efficiency clean diesel engine and uses an aluminum space frame body to reduce weight.
(1) Design
Developed as a “MMC technology showcase”, the design uses stylish sport coupe proportions wrapped in dynamic flowing lines that give powerful and eloquent expression to the car’s advanced technological features. Muscular wheel arches housing 21-inch wheels give graphic expression to the powerful drive torque and stopping power that Mitsubishi’s S-AWC vehicle dynamics control system transmits so effectively to the road surface, while an exposed engine cover highlights the presence of the car’s new powerful and clean diesel engine. MITSUBISHI Concept-RA also sports the inverted-slant nose with trapezoidal grille fascia that marks Mitsubishi Motors new design identity, suitably tweaked to reflect the car’s sport coupe attributes.
MITSUBISHI Concept-RA uses red exterior coloring that graphically accentuates the beauty of its fluid body lines, counter-pointed by a matte black engine hood that imparts a strongly mechanical flavor.
The interior has been developed to show a fusion of tradition with leading-edge touches. The cockpit’s wrap-round control layout uses minimal visual instrumentation and optimizes the switch and control layout. This reduces the driver’s physical and mental workload, allowing full concentration on driving. The interior also makes extensive use of fine-quality natural materials in a design that delivers a reassuring presence and peace of mind.
(2) Technologies
The MITSUBISHI Concept-RA’s S-AWC driveline adds Active Steering and Active Damper to the ACD*1, AYC*2, Sport ABS*3 and ASC*4 components that make up the system used on Lancer Evolution. S-AWC integrally manages these systems to realize advanced levels of control over drive torque and braking at each wheel, thereby raising traction, cornering and vehicle stability levels. All this adds up to intuitive, on-demand vehicle behavior that faithfully reflects driver intent under all driving conditions, from everyday use to emergency avoidance situations.
MITSUBISHI Concept-RA is powered by a new high-efficiency and low-emission 2.2-liter 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbo-diesel engine with MIVEC, which switches between low and high-speed cam profiles to drive intake valves, and piezoelectric injector common-rail direct fuel injection, allowing the use of a lower compression ratio. And with its VD/VG (Variable Diffuser / Variable Geometry) turbocharger producing optimum boost characteristics at all times, the clean diesel unit delivers a maximum output of 150 kW (204 PS) and maximum torque of 420 Nm (42.8 kg-m). For compliance with Tier 2 Bin 5 emission regulations in the United States, the clean power unit uses a new catalytic converter system that brings together diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), NOx trap catalyst (NTC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) technologies
For improved crashworthiness and to reduce weight MITSUBISHI Concept-RA features a new body structure using an aluminum space frame made from extruded aluminum sections and die-cast aluminum members, as well as engine hood, fenders and other outer panels made from high impact-resistance and easily recyclable plastic resin.

*1 Active Center Differential
*2 Active Yaw Control
*3 Sport Antilock Brake System
*4 Active Stability Control

via MMC

Mitsubishi doesn�t state whether the Ralliart will be based on the 4door Lancer or the upcoming 5door hatch, however Carscoop states the USDM Ralliart will be based on 4 door lancer sedan, whereas Europe will get the 5 door hatch. Since Australia classically gets the closest equivalent on the JDM, we can expect to see the 4 door on our roads.

The Ralliart is expected to run a detuned 177KW, 240PS version of the EVO X 2.0L, dual valve VVT turbo 4 cylinder. Coupled to this is the magnificent 6-speed Twin Clutch SST transmission, and AWD with Active Centre Differential and Active Yaw Control.

The final form of the Ralliart in Australia is unknown, but given the competition between Subaru and Mitsubishi in this segment we can expect the Ralliart to slot firmly into position against the standard Subaru Impreza WRX — leaving the Evo X to tackle the WRX STi.

Being somewhat given to fantasy here at IJ, we’d love to see that Sportback concept reproduced in full for the hatchback. Given the standard new Lancer is being hailed as a runaway success for Mitsu, a return of the Ralliart Lancer is sure to be nothing less than a added cream in Mitsu’s profits in an age of high demand for fast, small, fuel efficient cars.

[Source: Carscoop]

[Source:� RocketPunchAutoBlog]

Three hot cars, but which one is the most fun? Prepare for Mitsi vs Subie fan battles!

Here’s a quick rundown of the juiciest features on the new Evolution X

• Engine
  • New, completely redesigned aluminium block ‘4B11’ 16-valve, 2.0L DOHC MIVEC intercooled turbocharged engine — 12kg lighter than the outgoing 4G63.
  • Power: 295HP, Torque: 422 Nm @ 3500rpm (300 lb-ft)
• Two trim levels: RS, GSR.

• Transmissions:
  • Twin Clutch SST 6-speed automated manual on the GSR or
  • 5 speed manual also available on the GSR
  • 5 speed manual on the RS only (No SST)

• 4WD S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) on the GSR
  • ACD (Active Center Differential)
  • AYC (Active Yaw Control)
  • Sport ABS (Sport Anti-lock Brake System)
  • Active Stability Control (ASC)
• Suspension/ Tyre / Brakes
  • MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension
  • (GSR) 18-inch Enkei 12-spoke high-rigidity cast alloy wheels. 18-inch BBS lightweight alloy wheels are also available as a factory-fitted option
  • GSR comes standard with Brembo 18-inch front and 17-inch rear ventilated disc brakes. (Unsure if this is a mistake. Though that’s what’s stated on the PR! — ED )
  • Bilstein single tube shock absorbers and Eibach coil springs

• Interior
  • Premium Rockford Fosgate audio, factory-fitted MMCS option with 30Gb hard disk drive audio/navigation system and 7-inch LCD screen on the GSR.
  • Recaro seats
  • Various interior upgrade option packages, including leather
  • High contrast instrument cluster
  • Leather wrapped steering with audio controls
• Pricing:
  • GSR: 3,750,600 yen with 6speed Twin Clutch SST
  • GSR: 3,495,450 yen 5 speed M/T
  • RS: 2,997,750 yen with 5 speed

And of course, required reading — the Press Release itself . This car has tonnes more features, admittedly more than we expected. The Impreza WRX STi has a battle ahead of it with the new Evo.

The new EVO is expected for global release on October 2nd 2007, and is slated to come with an all alloy engine, new sequential automated twin clutch gearbox, and a stronger body structure, tuned as a comprehensive race ready package. Edmunds claims the EVO X will be released in more than one version, Standard and MR, though this is unlikely for the Australian market. Expect the new EVO to be available in one version in Australia, supplemented by it’s new ‘little brother’ the Ralliart Lancer, which is known to be another turbo offering from Mitsubishi.

The battle is heating up between Subaru and Mitsubishi with the STi due out very soon. For this reason, expect the EVO X’s pricing to be priced very very close to the WRX.

Ohh, and don’t forget to read and drool over Edmunds First Drive Review of the EVO X too!