For 2007, Mitsubishi redoes the midsized Galant and tops off the line with a performance Ralliart model with exclusive exterior styling and interior features.

All 2007 Galants get a new front-end treatment, featuring a new grille with chrome surround, plus a new fascia and bumper. At the other end, the rear bumper fascia is also revised. The interior has also been enhanced with new steering wheel design, new seat material, new headliner material and standards such as front side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags. The ride and handling was also improved.

The 2006 Galant DE was dropped from the lineup, leaving only the ES, LS and new Ralliart heading into 2007. Prices were lowered to better reflect the Canadian market (previously, pricing was set in the U.S.).

The ES starts the Galant line at $24,998, an equivalent price reduction of $700 from 2006. Power comes from a 160-hp MIVEC (variable valve timed) 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine controlled by a 4-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift mode (Sportonic).

A Diamond package on the ES adds dark bezel headlamps, colour-keyed rear spoiler, all new audio system and ellipsoid tail lamps and brings the price up to $27,998.

The Galant LS boosts power to 230-hp thanks to its 3.8-litre V6 and a new 5-speed automatic with Sportonic. Its price tag of $28,498 represents a price reduction of $400 against its comparable 2006 model. It adds 17-inch alloy wheels to the look of the ES Diamond package.

The new for 2007 Galant Ralliart replaces the previous year's GTS and sells for $34,998. It distinguishes itself from the rest of the line through a sport mesh grille, projector-style four-bulb ellipsoid headlamps, two-tone front and rear colour bumpers, colour-key side air dams and rear diffuser, 18-inch alloy wheels and Ralliart badges.

Capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in about seven seconds, the 2007 Galant Ralliart is powered by a 256-hp version of the 3.8 V6 with the Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control system (MIVEC), and is mated to the 5-speed automatic Sportonic.

The engine comes straight out of the Mitsubishi Eclipse GT, and generates 220 lbs.ft of torque from 2,000 rpm (to a peak of 258 lbs.ft. at 4,500 rpm) for good off-the-line response.

The suspension setup is MacPherson struts up front, attached to a sub-frame with a large, rigid cross member for responsive handling and reduced noise, vibration and harshness. The low-mounted, multi-link rear suspension features stiff hydro-formed cross members that minimize flex and help reduce road noise. Galant Ralliart also features higher-rate springs and dampers and is exclusively equipped with a 21 mm rear stabilizer.

Completing the package are 235/45R18 all-season tires mounted on 18 x 8-inch aluminum alloy wheels fitted with a tire-pressure monitoring. Four-wheel antilock disk brakes are standard.

Our brief exposure to the car on unfamiliar roads, showed a sports sedan that is very willing to gallop when the driver spurs it on, though the engine is rather vocal as it goes about its business.

The car's attitude over a winding stretch of road is quite confident, maintaining a flat stance over switchbacks, and able to go deep into a corner before the tires start to voice their displeasure. Harsh bumps show off the body's stiffness, but very little is transmitted into the cabin. It's mostly heard.

Inside, Galant Ralliart has standard perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front seats, automatic climate control system, navigation system, power glass sunroof with sunshade and an auto-dimming rear view mirror. Aluminum pedals and Micro-delta print accent panels further distinguish the Ralliart interior.

Also of note is a standard Rockford Acoustic Design™ premium audio system with AM/FM radio and a 6-disc in-dash CD changer that can house audio CDs as well as MP3 media files on CD. The linear 8-channel amplifier (one channel per speaker) produces 360 watts, while Digital Signal Processing optimizes output to provide user-selectable listening environments (club, studio, concert, etc.). The system is also available for ES Diamond.

And to top it all off the Galant Ralliart is covered, as are all Mitsubishis, by a comprehensive "10-5-5" warranty, including 5-year/100,000 km bumper-to-bumper coverage, powertrain coverage for 10 years or 160,000 km, and 24/7 roadside assistance for 5 years. Body panels are covered for seven years or 160,000 km against corrosion/perforation.