Mitsubishi is still trying to make Ralliart a thing. The carmaker is adamant that it can revive the iconic emblem with what are basically styling additions to current models like the Triton and Pajero. Mitsubishi will unashamedly stick to that plan Tokyo Autosalon 2022, where it will debut Vision Ralliart concept.
You almost have to mess with Mitsu at this point because this latest concept has an even more flimsy requirement for the Ralliart brand. Not only is there very little that distinguishes it as a performance model from its production counterpart, Outlanders, but it is crucial that the bright red and white color is gone!
The gimmick behind the Vision Ralliart Concept more or less comes down to the darkened styling and body kit (or ground FX) that this Outlander is wearing. Mitsubishi says the matte black finish reveals blue highlights, which is OK, I think. I prefer that, rather than this being just a matte wrap. And Mitsubishi also points out the radiator damper and the rear diffuser, but the only mechanical bits that Mitsubishi gave specifications for are in the chassis, weight my:
To provide high driving performance, the Vision Ralliart Concept has a broad stance and is equipped with 22-inch wheels and large diameter tires. Large brake discs and 6-pot brake calipers with opposite piston, which exerts braking performance that matches the powerful torque of the engines, is used to raise acceleration, cornering and braking to a higher level.
That is it. For reference Mitsubishi Outlander currently sold as a PHEV in Japan and comes with a four-wheel drive. It is likely that the Vision Ralliart Concept is also a PHEV and it may also have mild off-road capability.
However, this concept seems more road-focused, like Triton Ralliart twins Mitsubishi sells in Thailand. I was more into the design of that truck, because even though it was light on the “Ralli” in the Ralliart, its bright color suited the badget better.
There is at least one other Mitsubishi model that went with a dark theme, like my colleague Adam Ismail | pointed out. It wouldd be the 2007 Lancer Evolution IX MR FQ-360, but do not dwell on it as long as you want to Mitsubishi’s heyday. The consensus is that they seem far away, but the most important thing that the Vision Ralliart concept does wrong is to conjure up the past. It’s a cool concept that deserves to be emptied of a badge. That said, I really miss Lancer.
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