Mitsubishi Could Make Its Most Popular SUV Hotter Than Ever
Mitsubishi Looks To Rally Cars For Inspiration
The Mitsubishi Outlander is arguably the Japanese automaker's most important offering in the United States. It helped the company achieve record sales last year, and it's still performing well in 2025, but there could be room for more growth. Speaking with Australian publication Drive, Kentaro Honda, Outlander segment chief engineer at Mitsubishi, said, 'We are still investigating,' when asked if the widebody Outlander concept from a few years ago could ever see production. 'We attended the Asia Cross-Country Rally, so based on that kind of rally experience, we'll consider how to, or when to, develop the Ralliart version.'
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Source: Mitsubishi
We Don't Expect The Outlander Ralliart To Arrive Soon
When pressed on how seriously Mitsubishi is taking the idea of a hotter Outlander, Honda-san's answers remained guarded, saying, 'This is not my [area of focus], but some investigation is ongoing in the development area.' Fortunately, Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO Shaun Westcott gave us a little more to hold onto, even teasing the possibility that such a vehicle could go global: 'There are a number of studies underway, and it could be different for different markets as well. There's a number of moving parts in this permutation.' He added that the parent company is extending its involvement in the Asia Cross-Country Rally and is considering branching out into domestic rallying in Japan, 'and they will be taking those learnings into the product, and there are definitely a number of active studies ongoing in this space.' That means we're still some way from confirmation of production, but it also means that the Outlander Ralliart won't be just an appearance package this time around.
Not Just Stickers This Time, So Get Excited
The Ralliart nameplate isn't completely dead, and Ralliart upgrades have even been available in America. The problem is that none of these special versions have been all that special, usually getting no more than some decals and other mild aesthetic changes. If it returns again, this time, the Ralliart badge will carry serious weight. 'I declined the sticker packs,' said Westcott. 'I was not happy with taking on sticker packs and calling it a Ralliart. So if Australia takes on something like [a Ralliart Outlander], we are actually looking for some enhancements in the actual vehicle.' Raised suspension, more power, better tires, and extra lighting sound like good places to start, and with rumors of a PHEV powertrain for the Outlander Ralliart, we hope to see a vehicle that is just at home on the trails as it is on the highway.
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