The transmission feels great (hint: go drive one since you don't actually know the feel), the smoothness is fantastic to me (of course its not a torque converter slushbox but it shifts fine in automatic mode) and reliability hasn't even been an issue (not sure where reliability even comes into question here). There are even former DSG owners that prefer the SST far more.

Here's a short review
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new...ncer-ralliart/

 

I drove a X MR. It's shifting was awful compared to all the other auto-manual systems I have tried, saved but one 2001 auto-manual Carrera. TL-S, 335 and 325, my sister's 2004 325xi, G35 the new model the first year, all of them had a better feel IMO than the X MR. When I hit the paddle on ANY of those other cars (except the old 911) they would shift up or down instantly. When I drove the X MR, it would shift about 200-500 rpm after I hit the paddle (and yeah, I was in the highest sport mode)... That's not right

It would be fine for DD, but on track that would be a PITA.

And to the above: reliability comes into play on the track, where they have a horrible habit of overheating quicker than an Xbox.

 

Must of had a problem because it'll shift instantly for me. And since when does a G35 even get a dual clutch transmission. I don't drive on a track so overheating isn't a problem for me and the rest of the DD people.

 

Could've had a problem, could've been the fact that it wasn't broken in yet, maybe I'll get another chance to test another one and see. Or maybe with my track experience "instantly" is defined different for me. I never said dual clutch, I said auto-manual. That's what's crazy. Add a Legacy GT to the list too... And I'd also like to note that, while it may have had a problem, I could easily outshift someone in the MR that I test drove in my own manual car.

Edit: Just noticed you have a RA, not a X MR.... How would you know how the X MR shifts/drives? Your's may be instant because your motor has what... 50 less hp? Even the sales person at the dealer said that it happened in the MR, that the SST wasn't fast enough to keep up. But... it still could've been a problem with the car. Yeah, you have the same tranny, but not everything on your car that adjusts how the tranny would feel is the same as the MR.

 

I love this sprited debate I started about the merits of the SST, but does anyone know if Mitsu has plans to release a regular manual transmission version of the Ralliart for 2010? That's all I want to know. If they're not gonna give me a real clutch, I'm buying a Rex.

There we go, now that should get y'all talking.

 

No plans as of yet for a manual I was told, something about 80% of all cars being sold under the mitsu banner are autos (excluding pick ups and commercial) so they don't see a need for it. If you want a ***** out Lancer manual go buy a Evo GSR, (they're only a grand or so more than a RA here in Canada now, talk about buyers remorse!)

Side note -- I compared the RA with the WRX when I bought and I thought the RA cleaned the WRX's clock, unfortunately I compared it to a 2008 WRX

 

I dont see how having 50 less hp will result in faster shifts from the SST. If anything the MR will be faster with the addition of the S-Sport mode. The SST is faster then any human can shift, and it doesn't have the human "error" factor either. I would expect much more out of the MR considering its $10k more.

 

for people arguing how the SST compares to modern day dual clutch transmissions...

http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2...than-gt-r.html

They also did a mini comparo between PKD (Porsche) with the DSG in the GT-R, they concluded that the one in the Porsche was better, however, it sounds awfully like the SST.

 

every review i've seen of the SST loved it. they said it behaved like a manual, and on the track in full auto mode in the S-Sport setting it's gear selection was perfect. better, and faster in most cases than the pros driving the car. some tests done got their fastest times when the car was choosing the shift points.

anybody hating on the SST and calling it an automatic and comparing it to the G35, and TL-S are idiots because those aren't twin clutch gear boxes. they are automatic transmissions with paddles. the GT-R has a great transmission, and so does the EVO X MR.

 

I call BS. Go troll somewhere else. If you could outshift it, you're either a seasoned heel-toe expert or the system was not broken in/malfunctioning.

 

Subaru with its WRX/STI lineup and other manufactures are kicking themselves as they don't have dual clutch technology; and now sales are heading towards automatics/dual clutch:

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2008...-for-sti-11083

QUOTES FROM THE ARTICLE:
""One area of the market, we're not seeing the volume in STI sales as we would like is that it does not offer a transmission alternative," Senior opined.

"That [performance car] market has dramatically shifted in the last 12 months from being 90 per cent manual and 10 per cent automatic, to being 80 per cent auto or twin clutch, 20 per cent manual.

"As of the latest figures I saw last month, STI is still the top-selling manual car in the category but we don't have a transmission option and that is where we are being penalized in sales."

According to Senior the arrival of an alternative transmission for the STI was "a long term window".

"There is no short term solution," he said.

Senior said the lack of a twin-clutch option was not for lack of a transmission partner or any specific characteristics of Subaru's boxer-engine-based powertrain.

"It [the lack of a dual-clutch option] is more around throwing available resources at developing new models, new technology in terms of diesel engines and some [mass market] transmission technology, that you'll see more about in the future. [And] That on the time scale when some of these decisions were made, that manual transmissions were still the predominant transmission [choice] in that sports car area.

"The shift has come quicker and more dramatically than anyone perceived -- hence the timelines are significantly longer term," he said. "



The reviews of Mitsubishi's SST have been outstanding, and now other car makers are forced to play (and pay) catch up!

With the economy being what it is, some makers aren't willing to commit the Reseach & development funds, yet need to meet the market demand for transmission alternatives to that of a manual.

...And to the OP, I doubt Mitsubishi will release the RA with a manual, as the SST dual clutch allows for automated shifting or manual (stick or paddle), so you will probably not see one with a clutch pedal.

 

You've got to understand. S6devil is on a mission to smear the RA (and Mitsu) any chance he gets. He'll "back up" his opinion with magazine articles he hasn't even read. It probably eats him up that he owns a Mitsu, but he's just passing through.

I've driven both the M5 and the M3 DCTs, which I'm sure people will say are among the best, if not the best and I found them to be clunky around town and awkward at times, I wouldn't want either car personally and would prefer them in regular manuals. I'm smart enough to realize that yeah, there's some trade off and that performance cars feel better when driven hard(er) and aren't always silky smooth sulking about town in traffic. So I won't say that they are terrible, I just don't like them. However, BMW is G-d amongst most journos so you'll hardly hear any disparaging remarks. The same clunkiness can be found in a Mitsu that costs less then half either of those cars, and doesn't have the brand cachet, so its going to get picked on for what is essentially the nature of the beast, but still, the SST has gotten praise overall for its prowess. It is also hooked up to a complicated AWD system so comparing how it feels it to some FWD car is also pointless.

 

I would think a manual on the Ralliart would cannibalize Evo sales, no?

 

Probably not if priced correctly.

The Evo X is a low volume car and the Ralliart is based off the run of the mill lancer platrform.

 

I think it has more to do with scale. Mitsu spent a lot of money to develop (or have developed) the SST. It actually makes more sense for them to use it in just more then one vehicle, so they can spread the cost around. So they are forcing Ralliart and Sportback Ralliart to buy them as well. Of course, there's a point where the cost would be too great, so that's why probably won't see Murano's or AWD Maximas with the GT-R's transmission. Plus we know must people in this world can't drive stick, so its better for them to stick with the option that carries the highest volume and chance for sale rather then a cheaper option that might not sell at all. If they get some more sales under their belt and get some revenue flowing, they will be abale to offer more options, possible a stick.