First Glance: Evolution-in-training

The Lancer Ralliart is Mitsubishi's first attempt to take on Subaru's mid-level WRX, and it's a good 'un. With a two-liter turbo engine, all-wheel-drive, and twin-clutch automatic transmission (an interesting and somewhat controversial choice), the Ralliart fits in between the happy-go-lucky Lancer GTS and the take-no-prisoners Lancer Evolution -- but it feels more like a toned-down Evolution than a tuned-up GTS. The Ralliart delivers big-time thrills in a sensible, family-friendly package -- that's my kind of car!
Pickup owners argue Chevy vs. Ford; sport-compact owners argue Evo vs. STI. For the uninitiated, they mean the Mitsubishi Lancer Evoltion and the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, a pair of high-tech 300ish-horsepower all-wheel-drive four-doors. I've always been a Mitsubishi man, but it's really a matter of personal taste -- both are awesome cars.
Until now, buyers who wanted the technoriffic all-wheel-drive performance of an Evo or an STI but couldn't swing the $35k price tag had only one choice: Subaru's Impreza WRX. For 2009, Mitsubishi is getting into the game with the Lancer Ralliart. Just as the Subaru WRX is a scaled-down STI, the Ralliart is essentially a detuned Lancer Evolution. Under the hood is a version of the Evo's 4B11 turbocharged and intercooled two-liter four-cylinder engine (link goes to photo) that produces 237 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque (vs. 291 hp and 300 lb-ft in the Evo). The Ralliart shares the Evo's all-wheel-drive system and limited-slip differentials, but lacks the Evo's Active Yaw Control rear axle. The Ralliart gets a twin-clutch automatic transmission, just like the Lancer Evolution MR. The Ralliart even looks a lot like the Evo, with a blacked-out grille (chrome-ringed on the Ralliart), three-scoop hood, and big rear wing; it doesn't get the Evo's slightly-bulged fenders because it lacks the Evo's slightly-wider track and wheelbase (width and length between the wheels). The Ralliart is priced about $6,500 cheaper than the stick-shift Evolution GSR and almost $12k cheaper than the automatic Evo MR