Mitsubishi Ralliart motorsport brand set to make a comeback

KUALA LUMPUR: Yesterday, Mitsubishi Motors announced its financial results of the previous year alongside detailing the financial forecasts for the FY2021. The latter also gave us a brief about the company’s future strategies regarding its new PHEVs, ASEAN models, electric cars as well as the Ralliart. Yes, the brand’s in-house motorsport and tuning division, Ralliart is set to make a comeback.

The Japanese automaker killed off this division in early 2010 and after an 11-year gap, it is now ready for its revival. The announcement accompanies an image of a Mitsubishi Triton fitted with a number of Ralliart parts. In the image, we can clearly see the pickup truck wearing a Ralliart livery with red accents. It also shows off a distinctive front fascia, a skid plate, red mud flaps, black wing mirrors, and some more red accents here and there. By this, we can assume that it could be the first Mitsubishi Ralliart model in the new innings.

In the past, the Lancer Evolution and Pajero SUV were the other names of the Mitsubishi rally victories. But after a number of management missteps and dropping sales around that time, Mitsubishi pulled out its name from WRC and Dakar Rallies in 2005. Later, in 2010, the brand Ralliart also withdrew from motorsport activities, in line with the falling demand for aftermarket performance parts.

But now with the new energy, the automaker detailed its new plans. In a report by Forbes, the company CEO Takao Kato said, “For customers who wish to experience our Mitsubishi-ness, we will launch custom-made accessories for our model lineup as well as re-entering motorsport events around the world.” Well, the details on the timeline are not disclosed at the moment,

Besides this, the company's financial results presentation also revealed that the next-generation Mitsubishi Xpander and its hybrid version will be launching as early as 2023. For further updates on the upcoming Xpander and Ralliart models, stay tuned to this place.

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