After teasing its return as part of their “Small But Beautiful” plan, Mitsubishi’s Ralliart brand is back. And boy will you be disappointed.
It looks like Mitsubishi oversold themselves when they said that their legendary motorsports brand would make a comeback, and true enough, based on the first two models to get the treatment, you’re in for extra rice.
Just launched in Thailand, the Ralliart badge is now available in two of the brand’s best-selling vehicles: the Montero Sport (aka Pajero Sport in Thailand) and Strada (aka Triton in Thailand).
Sadly, despite depicting images of power sliding it sideways or kicking up dirt Dakar Rally stye, both of these models receive some cosmetic enhancements, and of course, tons of stickers. Nothing more.
Starting with the Montero Sport, it gets a blacked-out roof and sharks fin antenna. Matching the roof is the new back tailgate spoiler. That’s followed by new front and rear under garnishes, blacked out LED headlamps, fender arch molding, and of course, Ralliart side decals. Completing the exterior transformation is a set of Ralliart branded mud flaps. Inside, the sole addition is some Ralliart floor mats.
And before you ask, no mechanical changes were done. Not a tweak for its 2.4-liter MIVEC diesel engine or 8-speed automatic. They didn’t throw in new dampers.
Now, if you think the Montero Sport Ralliart is sad, the Strada Ralliart is a tragedy.
Mitsubishi’s trying to whet appetites with mentions that “the legend is back” and that the Strada Ralliart contains their “champion bloodline”—and what do we get? A front bumper garnish, a set of mud flaps, some stickers, and floor mats. These are on top of the blackened exterior elements like the roof, door handles, and mirrors. Holy crap, that’s disappointing.
With all of these cosmetic “enhancements” Mitsubishi has rightfully limited the color palette to two: white (White Diamond Pearl for the Montero Sport and Solid White for the Strada), and Jet Black Mica.
Curiously enough, the Strada Ralliart is only available in 2WD trim. This could mean that Mitsubishi’s saving the best for last with a possible Strada Ralliart 4WD. That, or maybe they’re just saving ourselves from more disappointment.
Disappointed but not surprised. After the 'comeback' of the Eclipse, I had my doubts when they announced the return of Ralliart.
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought Toyota's GR-S was bad. Atleast those were stickered versions of top-spec models, while the Strada "Ralliart" is literally a FLEET-SPEC version with bunch of stickers. Yikes.