Jerry Robbin

The 2009 Lancer Ralliart sedan is a modern day hot rod that can snap your neck as you hit the accelerator! The Ralliart’s turbocharged 2.0-liter engine has a lot of torque and can rev to 6,500-rpm redline.

The new Lancer Ralliart gives you a sporty driving experience with aggressive styling and driving performance. The Lancer Ralliart has a rigid unibody and four-wheel independent suspension that is linked to a turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive. System.

Driving Experience

A very very rough but sporty ride is the best way to describe my driving experience behind the wheel of the Ralliart.
The Recaro seats do hold you firmly in place as you take any turn and the steering and handling are responsive to any road condition. The acceleration is fast and this vehicle is definitely not for a mild mannered driver.
The Lancer Ralliart offers 3 driver-selectable traction modes for the ACD, changeable while the car is moving using a switch on the dash: “Tarmac” for dry, paved surfaces; “Gravel” for wet or rough surfaces, and “Snow” for snow-covered surfaces.

Safety

Full-time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) w/ Active Center Differential (ACD), Front Helical Limited Slip Differential (LSD), Rear Mechanical Limited Slip Differential (LSD), advanced dual-stage front airbags with occupant seat position sensors,
Side-impact head protection curtain airbags (for front and rear occupants), Front seat–mounted side airbags, Driver’s side knee airbag, Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with EBD, 5mph front bumper, Active front seat structure to reduce whiplash injury, Interior head impact protection, Tire-pressure monitoring system, Three-point seatbelts and head restraints for all occupants, Height-adjustable front shoulder belts with pretensioner (Single pretensioner for Dr. side), Daytime running lamps,Anti-theft engine immobilizer, Anti-theft security alarm system, Child safety locks (rear doors), RISE body construction (64km/h OBD), LATCH system (Lower Anchor and Tethers) for CRS, and Front pedestrian impact crumple zones.

Under the Hood

Lancer Ralliart is powered by the new 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC intercooled and turbocharged engine that develops 235 horsepower. The engine is mated to Mitsubishi’s efficient Twin Clutch-SST gearbox that helps enhance the sporty nature of the vehicle by allowing the driver to execute lightning-quick, silky-smooth, paddle-actuated shifts. The TC-SST transmission also operates in fully automatic modes for Normal and Sport driving conditions.

The Lancer Ralliart’s full-time 4WD features Mitsubishi’s Active Center Differential (ACD)

Inside

The interior design places greater emphasis on function and vehicle control. Lancer Ralliart is equipped with FAST key, Bluetooth® hands-free telephone interface, the same Twin Clutch-SST shifter used on Lancer Evolution, and easily accessible steering column mounted paddle shifters.

My test drive had the optional Recaro seats, HID headlights, and 650-watt Rockford Fosgate 9-speaker audio system and Sirius satellite radio.

The dash and and interior seemed to have to much plastic for my taste, but the layout was excellent.

Outside

The design is very youthful and sporty but the huge spoiler obstructs your view when backing into a parking space! Its aggressive front bumper/ grill, rear bumper cover, dual exhaust and the ducted hood that delivers cooling air to the turbocharger distinguish the Ralliart exterior from the other Lancer models.

Summary

This car is meant to compete in the youth market for anyone wanting a sedan with speed and that is looking for the driving dynamics of a sports car.

Specifications

Passenger Seating Capacity 5
Interior Volume (cu. ft) [w/sunroof] 103.5
Passenger Volume (cu. ft.) [w/sunroof] 93.5
Cargo volume (cu ft) [w/subwoofer] 10.0
Front Head Room (in./mm) [w/sunroof] 39.6/
Front Shoulder Room (in./mm) 54.7
Front Hip Room (in./mm) 53.3
Front Leg Room (in./mm) 42.2
Rear Head Room (in./mm) [w/sunroof] 36.9
Rear Shoulder Room (in./mm) 54.3
Rear Hip Room (in./mm) 54.1
Rear Leg Room (in./mm) 36.1
Wheelbase (in./mm) 103.7
Length (in./mm) 180.0
Width (in./mm) 69.4
Height (in./mm) 58.7
Track, Front (in./mm) 60.2
Ground Clearance (in./mm) 5.9