Mitsubishi teases new Ralliart model, likely to be an Outlander

The reintroduction of Mitsubishi’s Ralliart performance moniker has been a bit of a rough one thus far. 

When the Japanese marque confirmed the Ralliart name would be coming back earlier this year, there were celebrations among Mitsi faithful that this could represent a turning point for the brand. 

Perhaps a Ralliart Mirage was coming to rival the Toyota GR Yaris, or a hotted up more powerful Triton to take on the Ford Ranger Raptor. 

Instead, Ralliart’s first release was a Triton and Pajero package that amounted to a sticker pack, some new bumpers, and no performance upgrades. A little disappointing, although it’s worth noting that that release was an exclusive to the Thai market. 

Well, the brand has teased its next Ralliart concept with the reveal of the lead photograph, showing a diffuser with a Ralliart emblem. 

It’s widely tipped that the photo shows some kind of hotted up Outlander, a nameplate which received an overhaul in 2021. It certainly appears to be an Outlander’s rear, judging by the outline of the bootlid. 

Not much else is known about the reveal, although there is one other tantalising detail to note in the teaser photo, and that’s the lack of any exhaust pipes. This could mean the Ralliart is a plug-in hybrid, or potentially even a full EV. 

The new model is scheduled to debut at Tokyo Auto Salon on January 14, with Mitsubishi noting that it will represent “the company’s vision for the new Ralliart.”

It won’t be the only new car unveiled at the event, either. Mitsubishi has also teased that it’s going to unveil a fully electric ‘kei car’ concept, with a teaser image of the model shown above. As with other kei cars, it’s likely to be a Japanese market exclusive.