Lancer gets its Sportback

It’s tough to blame Mitsubishi for putting its Lancer Sportback into hiding for three years.

The previous-generation wagon was an unattractive and uninspired entry in the automaker’s lineup; and with the rollout of the decidedly popular and really, really, ridiculously good-looking next-gen Lancer sedan in 2007, it would be a travesty if the new wagon were anything but a knockout.

And that’s pretty much what the newest Lancer Sportback is. For 2009, it adopts its sedan sibling’s DNA - it’s just as much a looker as the four-door version, and it gets a lot of the same technical stuff that makes the sedan so fun to drive.

For the 2009 model year, two Sportback trim levels are available - GTS and Ralliart. It’s no surprise the sportier Ralliart version was the first model to be released and is getting most of the attention, but the Sportback GTS really does have a lot going for it.

With numbers like 253 lb.-ft. of torque, and terms like ‘turbocharged’, ‘dual-clutch transmission’ and ‘all-wheel drive’ being thrown around, it’s easy to forget that Ralliart is, in fact, still a wagon - you know, something in which people haul stuff around.

It’s more than admirable that Mitsubishi has made a true sport version of its wagon though. The last-gen Sportback Ralliart was barely a hop, skip or a jump ahead of the non-sport LS trim level in terms of performance or looks. The leap from 2009’s GTS to Ralliart is quite noticeable both on paper, from the driver’s seat ... and in your wallet. You’ll be paying exactly $10,000 more for the Ralliart version, though with that you get things like a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, full-time all-wheel drive, limited slip differential, Recaro sport seats, aluminum pedals and more.

In terms of versatility, the Sportback performs well. Though it’s only slightly longer and taller than the Lancer sedan, it has about four additional cubic feet of rear cargo space. The rear seats are split 60/40, fold almost flat, and can be manipulated either from the rear doors, or via pull tabs found in the rear cargo area. The hatch opens wide and tall (no bumped heads for tall drivers) and is easy to close with one hand.

The GTS model also has a dual height adjustable plastic cargo floor that can be manually raised or lowered depending on what you’re putting back there. The Ralliart loses this feature due to the extra space required for the all-wheel drive components.

In terms of powertrains, the Sportback Ralliart gets the same engine found in the sedan version. Though the wagon’s engine is slightly altered (smaller intercooler and turbocharger), it makes the same amount of power as the sedan, and its peak torque is actually available over a wider RPM range.

The only transmission available in the Ralliart is Mitsubishi’s superb six-speed Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST). Though it doesn’t get the ‘Super Sport’ mode found in the Lancer Evolution, we doubt anyone will be disappointed with the ‘Sport’ mode when it comes time to push the Sportback’s limits. Heck, leaving it in ‘Normal’ mode should leave a lot of drivers sufficiently wow’d.

The GTS, meanwhile, uses Mitsubishi’s larger naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that provides 168 horspower and 167 lb.-ft. of torque, which is plenty of get-go in this light wagon. It can be mated to either a standard five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission. The 5-speed feels wonderful, with light, easy throws and a nicely weighted clutch.

The intentions of both the Sportback GTS and Ralliart are crystal clear. The former is for those who care most about versatility, the latter for those who want a strong dose of sportiness. Either way, the Sportback delivers.