The Evo X is a premium Lancer too, but more so than the RA. The X is not a full rally sports car. The last Evo that can be labeled as that is the Evo VI TME.

The motor is exactly the same. Mitsubishi decided that the RA will have the same camshafts. The AWD system is also exactly the same as the Evo IX's AWD system. They both share the same exhaust system. The RA and X MR are around %85 or higher in similarity.

The reason why the RA has narrower tires is that it does not have the wide body as the Evo X to give it some leeway under hard braking, cornerering, and acceleration. But you can fit 235mm wide tires in the stock fenders of the RA without rolling and pulling them and with proper suspension settings.

You are the one that is missing the point and it's getting annoying.

 

I just learned of the Ralliart last week and have been pulling up any article I can find, I'm excited about it so far. I know there have been some complaints (before it's even come out) about price, fuel economy, performance, etc., but a lot of the info so far is estimated (certainly when it come to price and mpg). In the next few months we should have hard numbers about pricing/options and mpg, plus more tests from various sources. And maybe even a review from a forum member that has actually driven one.

C&D usually does seem to get the fastest acceleration times of the major mags (C&D, MT, R&T), which makes you wonder what kind of abuse they do to get those times. But I have always liked their 5-60 street start test, I think it is a lot more indicitive of what a car will do in a real-world stop-light dragrace. And, as evidenced by the 7.4 sec time of the WRX, it really hurts some cars.

 

Sorry to annoy, but aside from the hood, the 2009 Lancer Ralliart has the body of a basic 2009 Lancer. The Evo X has a significantly different body design. That's a huge difference when it comes to handling -- the Ralliart clearly handles much more like an overpowered GTS with AWD, while the Evo X is its own beast.

The Evo X was made for racing, at a reasonable price -- the Ralliart was made for driving, at a premium price.

 

Sorry to disagree but I don't think this issue is subjective. While I agree that the Evo X is its own beast compared to the GTS and the RA, I think the differences betweent the GTS and the RA are significant. Now I'm not going to argue what the RA comes with because I have seen you have been following this as long as I have (just to clarify, evo IX drivetrain and evo X motor). In the few full reviews that we have read so far the two main drawbacks have been weight and tires (I think C&D said that it pulls just as hard as a WRX and MS3 from 5-60 iirc so power isn't a drawback). Both of which can be worked with but especially the tires (you probably wouldn't want to cut the weight down if you are DD'ing this car). Like many have said, an 8 inch rim with 235's will definitely increase grip (you are basically gaining 80mm's of tire contact total).

I also do agree with how the Evo X body design will make it handle much better but the RA's Evo IX drivetrain will give it the edge it needs over a GTS.

 

If you and everyone on these boards wants a manual, I'd suggest creating a poll/sign-up sheet/request form to send to Mitsubishi North America. If enough people express their desire for a manual, it might happen. BUT YOU HAVE TO SHOWN THEM YOU REALLY WANT IT!!!!

 

there already was one....if i remember, MT got more votes

 

USA execs wanted a 5 speed manual . But Japan product planners said no way.
But I see it coming next model year.

 

didn't they bring it with the automatic transmission to limit the car somewhat? Besides the suspension, wouldn't the engine otherwise be a few mods away from producing the same figures as the X? I haven't really read up on the RA to know..

 

I think the turbo is different as well as some small things. I suspect they used the SST transmission as a way of differentiating the Ralliart from the WRX (ie. they could say it comes with a transmission straight from racing even though it doesn't).

 

The turbo in the RA is smaller and is only single scroll. The intercooler is much smaller and the intake is different as well.

 

don't forget the tires are different... huge change in performance

 

Not to mention that the ralliart lancer will not have the Super Sport mode of Evo's SST

 

Yay, take those tails, put them on your X. That's all I have to say about the Ralliart

No really, the Ralliart is going to be a wonderful car to fill in that slot between the Evo and the Lancers, not a full on competitor with the WRX, but a close one for sure. And in later years, as long as it is decently successful, I imagine it will get even more competitive for the younger brothers.

 

How is it now a full on competitor of the WRX? It surpasses it in everything except price..

 

Actually the only way it surpasses the WRX is in price. It's no faster (some reviews list it as slower), it's heavier, it doesn't show better skid pad numbers despite having better tires and it doesn't brake any quicker. How exactly does it beat the WRX?