The chrome doesn't look too bad on the RA. Let's give the designers some credit, heh. I mean, the Evo MR has chrome too, it just happens to be tucked a little compared to the RA (which overlaps a bit). Also, the Audi S4 looks good with the chrome trim.. even if it's strikingly similar, albiet as an inverted trapezoid

 

Clutch slipping... is when you hold the clutch part way engaged so you can control the traction. In some instances fully engaged will result in wheel spin... where part engaged will result in perfect traction while keeping the rpms up.

 

Are you saying that if you get the Ralliart you are not supposed to upgrade for more power? Why not? That makes no sense.

 

Shhh thats great I gotta have the phantom black, and I too can't wait forever on the R/A so it looks like the GSR in two months for me unless the R/A is released! As for jumping to Sub, I could never lol, Mitsu or nothing.

 

More added confusion (in a good way hopefully):

Todays GLOBE AND MAIL NEWSPAPER (CANADA):
http://www.globeauto.com/servlet/sto...GlobeAuto/home

"Lancer Ralliart to become Evo-light

Now that rally and gaming Mitsubishi enthusiasts have received the joyous news that the hot Lancer Evo will finally be (legally) sold in Canada this year, they can also celebrate the fact that Mitsu is also planning an Evo-light version.

Called the Lancer Ralliart, it offers much of the aggressive styling and all-wheel-drive system of the Evo, and a very respectable 235 estimated horsepower, compared to the pricier Evo's 291 hp.

The mid-level Ralliart might also be easier to insure than the full-blown Evo, a key consideration for young male drivers.

The Lancer Ralliart has been seriously upgraded to better compete with the Subaru Impreza WRX. Pricing of the Ralliart will be released closer to the car's summer launch, but Mitsu promises a "surprisingly attractive price."

Okay, this is not a unique promise. But it'll be interesting to note if the presence of this compact competitor (Suzuki's much less powerful SX4 seems all but forgotten in these discussions) prompts Subaru of Canada to further cut its WRX and high-performance WRX STi prices — Canadian prices have consistently remained 10 grand or so above their U.S. equivalents, even with a earlier price cut in Canada on the redesigned 2008 models.

The Lancer Ralliart will also come standard with a twin-clutch six-speed paddle shift transmission, front and rear limited slip differentials, 18-inch wheels, ABS, electronic stability control, and Recaro sport seats."

The agony continues

 

gotta love the long drawn out wait, it's like waiting for a band to take stage, hours of useless music being played over the PA!

 

R&T's professional driver ran the fastest lap in full auto mode. Faster than in manual mode, faster than the GSR and the STi. You know something he doesn't about driving fast?

 

I'd like a link to see the full details.

First off all you have to use the same car to do a test vs the two transmission modes. I'm not saying SST is a poor transmission design... I was merely pointing out something it can't do. Clutch slipping is incredibly useful... especially in slick conditions like rain, gravel, and snow. I'd like to see how the SST transmission performs for speed in poor conditions. I'd also like to see how the R&T's car set up was. But comparing different cars with different transmissions is useless information. You need a constant in a testing situation.

 

No, but I am saying that other than minor upgrades, there's no point in buying a Ralliart, since the Evolution X is not likely to be very far off in price, especially where the Evo includes many features that the Ralliart doesn't.

There's a huge difference between "not supposed to" and "fairly pointless to" -- I'm sure there are people who live to mod engines who will see this as a challenge, but with so many other mods possible (that don't try to change a Ralliart into an Evo), upping the engine power seems especially ridiculous.

Personally, I'm pretty happy with the Ralliart as they're selling it, but even I'm probably going to put in a performance exhaust (a bit more power) and custom brakes -- I'm also going to get custom rims for snow tires (as well as those bloody expensive pressure transmitter things that run about $300 for an aftermarket set). What I'm not going to do is waste time trying to get the engine to churn out a lot more horsepower, because if I wanted that, I'd just be buying an Evo MR.

 

Well, if chrome is good enough for a *****-car like Audi, then... I'm definitely going to be looking for a black replacement for my Ralliart!

 

You are right, however... Like I have said somewhere in this thread, If you plan on racing a road course or auto-x often you will be better off with an evo anyway. So your point really isn't a point anyway. I DD my evo and hit a 1/4 mile track once in a blue moon. That is why I will be trading my IX MR for a ralliart. I will never use/need the extra handling of the AYC let alone being able to slip a clutch through turns. The only time I take turns that quick is to have fun and kick it out anyways.

I still have two very big concerns about the Ralliart though. It will need the same internals as the evo. With the information we are aware about now the bottom end is identical to the evo. So far so good. Then there is the tc-sst strength. Since it is in the MR though I can only imagine that it will be strong enough to meet the standards of the IX MR trans. Those are the only two things that could stop me from being the first in line to buy a new Ralliart.

 

I don't know how people in the US tunes their car, is it all or nothing. Where I live people usually just flash their car for 30-50hp and that is enough. Maybe adding a catback.

If Ralliart is anything close to EvoX you could by the basic mods get the horsepower from 240 to 300. More than that you'd be better buy the X straight away because it would cost nearly the same.

As for the SST in Japan they have a X FQ360 MR on the way. So that gives you some clue how much the tranny can take. I'd say no worries.

 

My first mod would be to paint or overlay with black vinyl or CF that chrome.

 

I don't know, they let me order the MR awhile back, but that was before the delay... But last I checked I couldn't order the ralliart yet... Maybe I can order them in a few weeks???

 

Let us know when you’re able to order them

You were saying there’s something like a good 3-month period between ordering, packaging/building and then shipping to the dealer I think (??). The MR’s haven’t hit the dealerships yet, right? When were those ordered?