What’s new: At last Mitsubishi is building a bridge between the evocative Evo model and the more mainstream Lancer range. The Ralliart is a 2.0-litre 237PS turbocharged rival to the likes of Ford‘s Focus ST and the Golf GTi.

Excellent: The price is low for a car this potent, more so if you get the lower GS trim, save £2500 and do without nav, upgraded audio and heated seats.

Good: It’s a good-looking car, with the large spoilers highlighting the rally heritage. For a performance model it’s also refined and comfortable on the motorway.

Average: In many aspects it’s disappointing to drive. The steering is over-sensitive, and the car’s also crying out for a manual gearbox rather than the jerky, if slightly improved, SST auto.

Poor: Fuel consumption is eye-watering – officially 27.7mpg, but we struggled to break 20.0mpg. A 243g/km CO2 figure will also be a problem.

Verdict: It’s such a shame the Ralliart just fails to hit the mark. Not good enough to drive and expensive to run, although P11D is low.

Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0
Raliiart GSR Sportback SST
P11D price £24,149
Model price range £14,499-£39,999
Fuel consumption 27.7mpg
CO2 (tax) 243g/km/35%
BIK 20/40% per month £141/£282
Service interval 10,000mls
Insurance group 17
Warranty 3yrs/unltd mls
Boot space (min/max) 385/1247 litres
Engine size/power 1998cc/237PS
Top speed/0-62mph 136mph/7.1secs
On sale May 2009
Score 5/10
Verdict A shame It just fails to
hit the mark. Not good
enough to drive and
pricey to run, but
P11D is low.