Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback making U.S. debut this year

With the announcement of a Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback into the US, the rally-car competition got a little stiffer. The Sportback is equipped with a body style that is ready to take on the Subaru Impreza and hatchbacks from WRX.

A study by the company have shown that more American car owners want cars that are not only fun and striking, but also practical and complements their individualistic and active lifestyles. It is pointed out, thus, that the five-door Sportback has many significant good points for the domestic market. The Lancer Sportback’s emission certification from the EPA shows that the unit will be arriving in the US together with two performance versions will be unveiled later this year. The higher specification models are the Lancer Sportback Ralliart and the bit docile GTS. More details and photos after the jump!

The Sportback Ralliart generates 237hp (177hp), 253lb-ft (343lb-ft) from its 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder detuned 4B11 (found in the Evo X) and comes with either a 5-speed manual or the trick TC-SST twin-clutch gear. The Ralliart is also equipped with a dynamic center differential, regular AWD, and twin-piston front brake calipers. Fuel economy is rated by the EPA at 17mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway. On the other hand, the GTS will come with the same spec of the already available sedan version.

That means that it will come with a naturally ventilated 2.4-liter 4-cylinder powerplant with either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed CVT with artificial manual tiptronic mode. Fuel consumption rating is pegged at 20mpg in the city and 27mp outside, while CVT is measured at 21mpg in the city and 27mpg outside of city limits. An automatic folding function for the seats are offered in the Sportback versions, intended to increase luggage volume through an adaptable rear floor. The length of the vehicle is 4,585mm (compared with the sedan’s 4,570mm) and provides between 288 to 344 liters of space when the rear seats are up and extends this to 1,394 when the seats are folded. Ralliart pricing begins at $26,490 and GTS at $19,190 which are both slightly higher than the sedan.