Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and Ralliart: 41 High-Res Photos

Less than a week before the new Lancer Sportback and its 240HP Ralliart sibling make their world debut at the Mondial De L’Automobile in Paris, Mitsubishi released a full set of images of both versions of the 5door Lancer hatchback or as we prefer to call it for apparent aesthetic reasons, hunchback. Hit the jump to check out our high-resolution image gallery or click here to read the initial details on the new Lancer Sportback range. -Continued

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart 240HP 2.0-liter Turbo

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

Mitsubishi to Reveal Lancer Cross Country in Paris?

The Paris Motor Show will see the world premiere of three vehicles for Mitsubishi including the 5door hatchback version of the Lancer dubbed Sportback, the Racing Lancer which is Mitsubishi's entry at the 2009 Dakar Rally modelled after the Lancer Sportback and powered by an all-new 3.0 V6 turbo-diesel engine and more interestingly, a yet unnamed model, official details of which will be released at the motor show opening on October 2.

Unofficially, our sources report that the ‘mystery’ model that Mitsubishi is referring to will most likely be a third derivative of the Lancer family called Cross Country equipped with the EVO’s sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. -Continued

Along with the three world debuts, Paris will also the European premiere of the Lancer Ralliart in both Sports Saloon and Sportback (5-door hatch) forms. The Ralliart versions are equipped with a detuned version of the Lancer EVO X’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine that produces an output of 240 HP and 343 Nm (35,0 kgm) of maximum toque.

Mitsubishi Lancer VR4 Station Wagon Rendering

A member of the Dutch ‘Galantfans’ forum came up with this rendering depicting a sporty station wagon version of the new Mitsubishi Lancer (Galant Fortis in Japan). Although it’s apparent that the ‘chop’ was made by mating the body of a… VW Passat Variant (check out the mirrors) to the front-end of the Lancer along with adding a set of tasty alloys that are housed in blown up wheel arches, the overall result looks very promising.

Via: Galantfans – Thanks for tip Marcus!

Mitsubishi Racing Lancer: First Official Photos

Following the release of a teaser sketch in July, Mitsubishi revealed the first official photos of its latest cross-country rally car, the turbo-diesel “Racing Lancer” that has been developed for the 2009 Dakar Rally that will take place in South America after the cancelation of this year's race in North Africa due to Islamic terror threats. The AWD Racing Lancer is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged diesel that develops over than 260Hp and 650Nm or 479-lb/ft of torque.

After the vehicle’s first public appearance at the Paris Motor Show in the beginning of October the Racing Lancer will makes its official racing debut in round six of the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup that takes place in Portugal from October30 to November 2. The car will be in the hands of Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart driver and 9-times Dakar winner Stéphane Peterhansel. –More images after the jump

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart 237Hp Priced at $26,490

The long-awaited Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart will arrive at U.S. dealerships with a base price of $26,490. Essentially a toned down and less powerful EVO X, the Lancer Ralliart comes equipped with a 237 HP 2.0-liter turbo engine teamed exclusively with a twin-clutch semi-auto transmission and a full-time 4WD driveline featuring Mitsubishi's Active Center Differential (ACD) unit. The Lancer Ralliart is also equipped with a front helical and rear mechanical limited slip differentials, standard Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control (TCL) and 18-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 R18 Yokohama ADVAN summer tires. -Continued

Just for reference, the outgoing 2008 Impreza WRX Sedan 224HP is priced from $24,350 (see the 2009 WRX 265 HP here) while the Ralliart’s bigger brother, the 291HP EVO X, from $32,990.

Lancer Ralliart buyers can also opt for the RECARO Sport Package which costs $2,750. The package adds Xenon HID headlamps, 650 watt Rockford Fosgate, Sirius Satellite Radio with 6-months subscription and RECARO front sport seats found on the Lancer Evolution GSR. A new 40-GB HDD navigation system is also available as either a port-installed option or as a dealer accessory.