I am the first to admit Mitsubishi evolved to something much better than it has ever been in the last few years. However, there is a part of mine that is missing the good old times when Mitsubishi was a brand associated with performances. It seems like I am not the only one who thinks like that because the Japanese manufacturer announced that its performance division, Ralliart, is set to come back to the US in 2023, which should include Canada.
Apart from the Mirage, the Japanese manufacturer is only offering SUVs in North America with the Outlander, the Eclipse Cross, and the RVR (Also called Outlander Sport in the US). So, there are good chances for the Ralliart. So it is more than likely that performances will now be associated with Sport Utility vehicles in Mitsubishi's line up which is not a bad thing.
The Ralliart Treatment
Although Ralliart is the performance division of the Japanese manufacturer, don't expect many performance upgrades for North American models. The Ralliart team will primarily focus on a cosmetic upgrade to give the Japanese SUV's a sportier look. This should include elements such as graphics, different body panels, mud flaps, and things that will make a genuine difference in the design of the vehicle.
Some rumors stated the Outlander PHEV could be the first vehicle of Mitsubishi's fleet to get the Ralliart treatment. This is kind of funny because the last thing you think about a Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicle is performance. However, I think that could be quite a clever move from the Japanese manufacturer to help the brand to stand out even more.
I think the Eclipse Cross could truly benefit from a Ralliart treatment since it already has some performance DNA like it is right now. Of course, it would be even better with some mechanical upgrades as well, but it is less likely to happen for now.
As for the RVR, I think we will need to wait for the next generation before seeing any Ralliart upgrades on it. However, the performance division of the Japanese manufacturer can always surprise us.
Evolution
What would make me happy, and indeed a lot of Mitsubishi fans perhaps is the comeback of the EVO nameplate in Mitsubishi's lineup. The last time we saw it was with the Lancer EVO, which had been discontinued for many years now. I honestly think an EVO Eclipse Cross would be a huge hit, especially in the North American market.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
