A great week is to have a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer for a test drive. It was absolutely terrific, but this was no ordinary Lancer. This was a Sportback Ralliart model, complete with enough racing features to provide an exhilarating drive. There were a few downsides, however.
Mitsubishi has their Lancer EVO, which is fairly popular and performs well. This new Sportback model of the Lancer provides more versatility by combining a sporty car with the convenience of a five door wagon-like vehicle. There is even a rear cargo floor that can be dropped about three inches to provide additional cargo space if needed.
The Sportback is provided in two trim models - the GTS and the Ralliart. My test model was the Ralliart, which offers a lot more power, and All-Wheel-Drive. The GTS has Mitsubishi's 2.4 liter engine that is quite efficient and provides 168 horsepower. The Ralliart has a 2.0 liter, inline four cylinder, turbocharged engine that spits out 237 horsepower. There is only one transmission in the Ralliart and that is a six speed automatic Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift. That is the same automatic transmission in the Lancer Evolution.
The automatic feature is operated normally, but can be handled manually by the magnesium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. I tried the paddle shifters quite often during my test drive and they work extremely well. I am just not inclined to use paddle shifters very often in any car and generally leave that driving mode to those who like to dream about being racecar drivers.
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