Mitsubishi once built high-performance versions of its most popular vehicles. The Lancer EVO, Galant VR-4 and Eclipse GSX models are just a few that come to mind. But then it fell off the face of the earth, not just with regards to performance products but products in general. But with the SUV, the automaker sees enough sales to justify a performance variant.
Will the interior of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Outlander be as good as the exterior?
According to Japan’s, Mitsubishi will release a high-performance version of the Outlander PHEV in 2024. Called the Outlander Ralliart, after its popular Ralliart racing arm, it’s getting a slew of performance upgrades. These improvements range from modified suspension to more horsepower and aerodynamic aids.
, have been waiting for the return of the Lancer EVO. But the automaker’s overall health dictated trying to get out of a deep rut. Rumors of the closure of the company have been picked up by various experts.
Why is Mitsubishi doing an Outlander performance now?
But the Mitsubishi Outlander seems to have instilled much more energy into the company. The revised 2016 SUV kicked off the sales surge, but the all-new 2021 fourth generation started the sales surge. Partly because it is and always has been a seven-seat SUV.
Both received a lot of attention, both from buyers and the automotive press. Last year, sales reached 41,000 units. Nowhere near what the Toyota Highlander sells, which is well over 200,000 for years, has pushed sales enough for Mitsubishi to call it a success.
How about other performance versions?
It makes sense that with SUVs being such strong sellers, the automaker would look alone to consider a performance version. But there are also other Mitsubishi vehicles worthy of high-performance models. Like the Eclipse Cross, for example. Its size alone almost seems like a better place to start.
Except the Eclipse Cross has had a hard time breaking 10,000 units sold annually in recent years. That’s why Outlander has a better chance of seeing a performance variant of Ralliart.
At this point, we don’t know how many of the prototype modifications will see production. But the fact that it exists, combined with the Vision Ralliart Outlander concept, paints a clear picture that the spirit of EVO lives on in an SUV.
