Jason Macgill and his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X

In the latest MyRideIsMe.com post, Enomoto-san features Jason Macgill’s Tomei Powered – Sponsored Evo X

It’s a fantastic build, not just for show, but a real performer featuring the latest Tomei Powered modifications and Robispec suspension. Obviously a 4b11 fan, his daily driver is a Lancer Ralliart Sportback.

Jason is no stranger to Mitsubishis having been through an Evo VIII and Evo MR in Time Attack competitions and rolling through Southern California’s Show Circuit with Team Hybrid. But when the X hit the U.S. Jason was first in line.

h/t: MyRideIsMe

Ben Stewart at Popular Mechanics asks us Does it stack up against competitors from Hyundai and Nissan? We think there’s more than enough room in the small-utility market if it grows by 480% (like Mitsubishi forecasts). In many regards the Sport is a just a shortened Outlander and we know it is a good platform, but the eco-friendly naturally aspirated 4B11 won’t make this a barnstormer. Luckily everyone is anxiously looking for a 4B11T and maybe Mitsubishi will get the message.

Entry-level crossovers like the new Outlander Sport deliver good value. The Sport won’t be in Mitsubishi dealerships until October, but the company says the ES will start at less than $19,000, and even the heavily equipped SE probably won’t top $25,000. Fuel economy is promised to be equally competitive, as ES models should deliver 31 mpg on the highway thanks in part to a slippery 0.32 coefficient of drag. The Outlander Sport is certainly an attractive crossover, with a supple suspension and smart interior, but it would be even more attractive with a turbocharged 237 hp engine under the hood. Let’s hope a Ralliart version is in the works.

With the Lancer Evolution likely turning hybrid-diesel (yes really) there might be more chance for the 4B11T to find its way into the Outlander Sport. We’ll be first in line for a Evolander Sport, thankyouverymuch.

And, for you Ralliart fans, Mitsubishi wouldn’t confirm or deny the development of a racier version of the Outlander Sport, but there is an awful lot of extra room under the hood. Plenty for a turbocharger.

2011 Mitsubish Outlander Sport Preview

In case you missed it:
ADR Motorsport and Mitsubishi UK proposed one make series build warehouse

Ralliart is being reduced to nothing more than a name on a badge on cars that still don’t even represent the pinnacle of Mitsubishi motorsports like they used to. I wonder how Ralliart founder Andrew Cowan feels about this?

Partial Cease of Business Activities along with Ralliart Inc’s Business Scale Down
Ralliart Inc (President Masao Taguchi) has announced as follows.

Dear all of our customers ,

First of all, we much appreciate for your usual patronage to our company.
Our company have done the various activities relating motorsport with the support of many people since the establishment in April, 1984 so far. However, because of the sudden change of economy situation since the year before last, the business circumstance surrounding our company radically became worse and so, this time we have reached the conclusion that we Ralliart Inc., would scale down our business activities as of the end of March 2010.

Along with the scale down of our business activities this time, we would cease the following business and operation which we have done so far. We would like to express our sincere apology to all of customers though we would make you much inconveniences.

Meanwhile, we wish you a continuous support to Ralliart family and entrants driving Mitsubishi cars who play an active part all over the world.

Items which would cease our business and operation along with our business scale down;

1. Support to motorsport customers (Support to the participation, Technical Support, and Awarding of Mitsubishi/Ralliart Driver of the Year)
2. New Planning, Development and Merchandize of Ralliart products (Except FIA VO parts) :*1
3. Information of new products and dispatching motorsport information(at web):*2

*1 FIA VO parts development and those application work shall be done by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation as it is.
*2 FIA Group-N information shall be open at the web site of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

Date of the cease: 1st April, 2010