I've always preferred the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution to the Subaru WRX STI, but I'm also a big fan of the somewhat more sensible Impreza WRX. Mitsi has never really taken on the WRX; the old Lancer Ralliart was simply a Lancer with a big engine. But the new Ralliart will add a turbo and all-wheel-drive. That's the good news. The bad news: For now, it will only be offered with the automated Twin-Clutch SST transmission, Mitsubishi's answer to Volkswagen's DSG. The Twin-Clutch is the better performing transmission, but I'd rather have a proper clutch pedal, even if it costs me a few hundredths of a second.
As for the CTS-V -- it's got a supercharged Corvette engine -- the new Corvette engine -- and a proper clutch pedal. Nuff friggin' said -- when do I get to drive one????
Check out the pics:
2009 Cadillac CTS-V photo gallery
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart photo gallery
-- Aaron Gold
Photo © General Motors
I’ve gotta say, I really am flustered with Mitsu’s choice to offer only the slush-box. Understandably it gets better acceleration times with .001 second shifts, but I’d rather being doing the clutching and jiving with shifter in hand. I suppose they think they’re making up for it by making the auto-stick amazingly resemble a manual shifter (one of the most convincing jobs I’ve ever seen…would have had me fooled had I not seen the PRND labels). If you recall, the Lancer Ralliart Sportback, one of the more beautifully styled wagons of our time, only came with an automatic as well, albeit a more traditional 4-speed one. Low sales cancelled it after only two years…wonder why? I would’ve considered one, had it been given a more traditionally sporting clutch pedal. I suppose this concerns someone like me because I’d much rather prefer the mid-level antics of the AWD Ralliart rather than the fwd base Lancer and the wild child lightning fast Evo.
The CTS-V is way out of my price league, but that doesn’t stop me from nearly shorting out my computer with drool.
haha, stickshift lovers! gm and mitsubishi have finally listened to reason and bumped off sticks in favor of automatics! automatics forever!
Er… the CTS-V *does* offer a stick-shift.
If you think the CTS-V is cool, wait till you see the CTS Coupe. Simply stunning. It was my favorite, hands down.
Indeed, slot me behind the wheel of a CTS-V ASAP. The V-6 DI is cool and great makes noise and goes quite well indeed, but the old CTS-V struck me as a Cadillac with a Corvett trying to get out.
And the Lancer Ralliart: Shoulda seen this one coming. I really like the ‘08 Lancer GTS except for a the shortness of grunt–and no doubt if it had more, that ol’ torque steer that plagues the Eclipse so badly would appear. Huzza for the AWD. And the GTS really doesn’t live up to that wing, does it?