That "factor" is the 08' Ralliart

For the sake of argument lets just say the 08' Ralliart is AWD pushing 230 HP with its 2.4 4B12. The body style is very simular to an Evo X and the Ralliart is probly lighter.

The Ralliart would have its 230 HP 4B12 with a basic AWD and for the people who don't want a stick some paddle shifters ripped from a GTS but no DSG.

The Evo X has its 300 HP 4B11 with S-AWD and for the people who don't want a stick, DSG. We all know the details of the Evo X there is no need to list whatever else.

Base Evo X $32K
Ralliart $26-7K (Once again for the sake of argument)

Now with a little love like a turbo back, bigger turbo, and a tune, to name some I'm sure we can get that HP number close if not to 300.

Now most of the people who get these cars won't take them to the track/autox whatever else so that poses the question...Do you really need S-AWD, and other goodies the Evo X has but when it comes down to it you reeeeally don't need?

Think about it...you will still get that famous question, "HEY! Is that one of them Evos?!" and You can respond "No it is not, but it is faster". You will have the satisfaction of knowing you have a nice looking car, you built it up "cheaply", and it can run with some of the best of them.

The question I ask, Can you see yourself settling for a Ralliart instead of getting an Evo X?

I didnt vote, Im sticking with my evo8.

**sticking with old evo should be an option!!

It'll cost more to make a lancer/ralliart into an evo than it will be to just buy an evo. As a clear example of this, look at the WRX and the STI. Both are AWD. Both are turboed. The 06-07 WRX has the same 2.5 l motor and makes about 250 hp while the STI makes 300. Now then, to make a WRX as fast as an STI, you only need a reflash and a turboback exhaust, an astonishing 1000$-2000$ in parts. You can swap the turbos, upgrade the intercooler and all that stuff if you want. The WRX is still lacking quite a few things. This includes, the turbo, the intercooler, the intercooler sprayer, the 6-speed tranny (big thing), the diffs, the axles, the brakes, the interior and the exterior goodies. A 6-speed tranny alone is worth 3000-6000$.
It's also important to note that we know nothing about the ralliart. Some people are saying it'll be NA and FWD again.

True. But what I am proposing is not turning a Ralliart into an Evo but building it up and having something simular in performance as an Evo. If the 4B's are potent...then 300 HP could be easily achievable. Yeah, pound for pound a straight Evo probly would be the "deal" but the Evo is made for track days. What if you are not going to the track? What about if you are not dodging cones? Most people are not, so why do they need the built up diffs, axles, brakes? And the tranny part...the MR has the DSG and the others only have a 5-speed (correct me if I'm wrong) Hell you never know, the X turbo could bolt right up. If a X guy upgrades his turbo you hit the jackpot! Same with the intercooler.

I did say for the sake of argument

Besides, thats a Subie!

It won't have the same performance as an evo. I doubt mitsubishi will use the same level of technology in the ralliart as in the evo. This means the computers, the transmission and the diffs. These are very important for an AWD car. The evo isn't meant for track days anymore, if you the read the reviews it's calmed down a lot and isn't nearly as twitchy as the current model.

I know out of the box it will not have the same performance as an Evo. Different computers...well of course. No need, since there is no S-AWD or other things like that. Same tranny...of course not. They have to cut cost. And I did say a toned down AWD system which would include the diff. But don't they use an Evo gearbox in the current Ralliarts? (Once again, correct me if I'm wrong) So this is not impossible. Hell, Lancers can get NAV/keyless entry/paddle shifters (gimmick or not)/7 airbags list goes on...so nothing is impossible now.

Ok ok...the Evo X may not be "meant" for track days. I did read that. But it has been said in one form or another it is meant for the people who have money to drop, hence the more "upscale" look. Right? So I see a perfect place for Ralliarts to step in for the track days since the Evos may have stepped in another direction.

So you never know...

The gearbox has to be different if it's AWD, at least they have to add diffs and find a way to send to power rearward (transfer case I think).

Current Ralliarts don't use an Evo gearbox, however, all of Mitsu's transmissions are very very similar, merely small adjustments between them to fit specific needs.

If the information we're being fed from "insiders" is correct, the new Ralliart will have the same drivetrain as the Evo VIII/IX RS, basically, a straightforward AWD system with no unnecessary computer control.

^^^Bang! Just what I was trying to say!

It will be awesome for sure, but it will still have 3 diamonds on the bumper.

ever since the "bad news" (low hp figures, weight, less sharp steering, speculative price, etc.) about the EVO X started coming out i have been thinking about this and i truly believe that this is the case. the Lancer Ralliart will be THE car for mitsu.

you can liken this to the BMW 3 series. the M3 is the top of the line, but most can't afford it. it's a show car for the media/journalists like jeremy clarkson to pander the car to the people. but how many people actually buy this car?

well the RA is poised to be like the 335i. the class leader, the car we all can attain that still shares the same sporty nature as it's more expensive, faster, better big brother. is it better in every sense of the word than the M3? of course not. is it better for the average consumer? yes! i rather enjoy hot water and a roof over my head not made of cardboard.

the 328i is like the base/GTS lancers. the stalwart. the backbone of the entire line of mitsu cars. not the sportiest car out there but a great value and drives really well. entry level, but it doesn't disappoint.

that said, i truly believe the RA may come out as the better tuner car. if the 2.4L AWD rumors are in fact true, then the RA will have more tuning potential. think about it. unless you're gonna do a swap, the B12 is like a B11 with a built in stroker kit and probably more deck height. hopefully the rod length and subsequent rod ratio isn't shot to hell with the increased stroke. but either way, you get more displacement. all this of course assumes you want a high level of tune, upgrading turbos and all. if you just want bolt ons and a flash then obviously the evo makes better sense.

the stock lancer chassis is already more stiff than the previous evo so you can almost argue that the evo x is TOO stiff because it's just added weight. ok, going out on a limb on that one but on the street you don't need that much stiffness. for most people, the lancer's chassis is stiff enough.

drivetrain: yes S-AWC is awesome, no it's not necessary to go fast. the usdm evos did quite well without it. nice to have but if it just ends up being extra weight then not really necessary eh? depends on what you want from your car but a pure street car with little to no track time won't miss the S-AWC.

so the bottomline, for all intents and purposes, the RA is the better street based tuner car. if you're gonna spend a lot of track time, have the cash to do crazy engine swaps, gonna strip the car out, etc. etc. etc., or simply MUST have the "best" car with "street cred" then definitely get the evo.

if you're like me, a guy who just wants a sporty AWD tunable car for the street but doesn't want to break the bank then i believe the RA is the clear winner. for me personally though, if the RA will never be available with SST then i'd pay the extra 15 grand to get one in the evo x mr...

I highly doubt mitsubishi will make the ralliart more of a tuner car than the evo. Mitsubishi isn't stupid, they can't rely on a name like BMW can (how many people buy an entry level BMW and remove the badges?), they actually have to have the performance to sell the car. They know people will mod the car and I suspect they will do like Subaru did and make sure that the evo is different enough from the ralliart that if you want the best, you have to buy the best. Simply saying "well the motor's bigger therefore it's better" is flawed logic. If they're using the same 4B11 and just boring it out, the ralliart won't be a great tuner car since it'll be limited in it's potential by a weaker engine.

Has anyone thought of the possibility that the RA might fit in above the Evo X? Maybe rename the MR as a Ralliart?

I doubt it.

I have been beating my head against a wall for several years now, but what is the deal with people wanting to turn to Lancer (base or Ralliart) into an EVO? Save your money and just buy an EVO. I know that might be easier said than done, but in the long run you just might end up saving a few dollars.