2007 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart
Published Mar 31, 2006
0 Ratings
What is it?
2007 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart
What's special about it?
As rumors of its demise persist, Mitsubishi decided to turn up the volume in Chicago and let the world know its doors are still open.
With techno beats cranked to club levels, Mitsubishi Vice President of Marketing Wayne Killen hit the stage and introduced the 2007 Galant Ralliart, the long-awaited hot-rod version of the company's midsize sedan. It's a car that enthusiasts have been anticipating since a concept version of the four-door appeared at the SEMA show back in 2004.
Best known for its World Rally machines and 11 overall wins in the violent Paris-to-Dakar Rally, Ralliart is Mitsubishi's motorsports arm. Although the Galant Ralliart isn't going to win any WRC events, it should prove to be a nice street car.
When it arrives at dealers this summer, the car's power will come from the same 3.8-liter V6 that powers the Eclipse GT sport coupe and convertible. It makes 258 horsepower at 5,700 rpm, a very stout 258 pound-feet of peak torque at 4,500 rpm, and features the company's variable valve timing technology it calls "Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control" system (MIVEC).
Although the Ralliart's competition, the Nissan Altima SE-R and Acura TL, offer a manual gearbox, the Galant's only transmission is a new five-speed automatic. At least it features Sportronic, which is manual-style control. The Galant GTS continues with a 230-hp, 3.8-liter V6 but also gains the new five-speed.
Mitsubishi says the front-wheel-drive Ralliart hits 60 mph in about 7 seconds despite its lack of a limited-slip differential.
Along with the added power, Ralliart engineers gave the model its own higher-rate springs, stiffer dampers and a larger rear stabilizer bar. The Ralliart's stance is spot-on thanks to fat all-season tires mounted on 18-inch aluminum wheels.
Inside, perforated leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, and a power sunroof are standard. Aluminum pedals and a 360-watt Rockford Acoustic Design sound system are exclusive to the Ralliart. The high-end audio system has AM/FM/CD/MP3 playback capability and an in-dash six-disc CD changer.
All 2007 Galants get an updated front-end design with a new grille featuring a chrome surround. The rear bumper fascia is also new (and more attractive). The Galant Ralliart gets a sport mesh grille, two-tone color bumpers, body-color side airdams, Ralliart badges, and projector-style headlamps.
If successful, which means selling at least 5,000 Galant Ralliarts, more of Mitsubishi's products will get the Ralliart treatment. "There will be more products in the future that will carry the Ralliart badge," is how Bryan Arnett, Mitsu's manager of product management, put it.
What's Edmunds' Take?
We enjoy driving the Eclipse GT, so we expect to like driving the Galant Ralliart. We anticipate it to be a quick and athletic sedan worthy of consideration. And with Mitsu saying it will be priced below the Acura and Nissan, the prospect becomes that much more attractive. — Scott Oldham
2007 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart
What's special about it?
As rumors of its demise persist, Mitsubishi decided to turn up the volume in Chicago and let the world know its doors are still open.
With techno beats cranked to club levels, Mitsubishi Vice President of Marketing Wayne Killen hit the stage and introduced the 2007 Galant Ralliart, the long-awaited hot-rod version of the company's midsize sedan. It's a car that enthusiasts have been anticipating since a concept version of the four-door appeared at the SEMA show back in 2004.
Best known for its World Rally machines and 11 overall wins in the violent Paris-to-Dakar Rally, Ralliart is Mitsubishi's motorsports arm. Although the Galant Ralliart isn't going to win any WRC events, it should prove to be a nice street car.
When it arrives at dealers this summer, the car's power will come from the same 3.8-liter V6 that powers the Eclipse GT sport coupe and convertible. It makes 258 horsepower at 5,700 rpm, a very stout 258 pound-feet of peak torque at 4,500 rpm, and features the company's variable valve timing technology it calls "Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control" system (MIVEC).
Although the Ralliart's competition, the Nissan Altima SE-R and Acura TL, offer a manual gearbox, the Galant's only transmission is a new five-speed automatic. At least it features Sportronic, which is manual-style control. The Galant GTS continues with a 230-hp, 3.8-liter V6 but also gains the new five-speed.
Mitsubishi says the front-wheel-drive Ralliart hits 60 mph in about 7 seconds despite its lack of a limited-slip differential.
Along with the added power, Ralliart engineers gave the model its own higher-rate springs, stiffer dampers and a larger rear stabilizer bar. The Ralliart's stance is spot-on thanks to fat all-season tires mounted on 18-inch aluminum wheels.
Inside, perforated leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, and a power sunroof are standard. Aluminum pedals and a 360-watt Rockford Acoustic Design sound system are exclusive to the Ralliart. The high-end audio system has AM/FM/CD/MP3 playback capability and an in-dash six-disc CD changer.
All 2007 Galants get an updated front-end design with a new grille featuring a chrome surround. The rear bumper fascia is also new (and more attractive). The Galant Ralliart gets a sport mesh grille, two-tone color bumpers, body-color side airdams, Ralliart badges, and projector-style headlamps.
If successful, which means selling at least 5,000 Galant Ralliarts, more of Mitsubishi's products will get the Ralliart treatment. "There will be more products in the future that will carry the Ralliart badge," is how Bryan Arnett, Mitsu's manager of product management, put it.
What's Edmunds' Take?
We enjoy driving the Eclipse GT, so we expect to like driving the Galant Ralliart. We anticipate it to be a quick and athletic sedan worthy of consideration. And with Mitsu saying it will be priced below the Acura and Nissan, the prospect becomes that much more attractive. — Scott Oldham