Evo Jr.
Mitsubishi recently announced the upcoming release of yet another addition to their '08 Lancer lineup: The Lancer Ralliart. If the EVO is an iron-pumping Lancer on 'roids, think of the Ralliart as a Lancer that works out everyday but settles for GNC-esque 'performance enhancing supplements'; it has all the potential, but may take a little more time to get there. Like the EVO, the Lancer Ralliart is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L, retains the AWD drivetrain, and is equipped with a Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission (though we hear a five- or six-speed may be on the way). The Ralliart also features an exclusive front bumper design, rear air dam, dual exhaust, intake and a lightweight aluminum hood. From what we can tell, the interior is a little different from the EVO's but in a good way-Mitsu simply tossed what wasn't absolutely needed. Hey-less weight, right? Some of the EVO's exclusive aluminum suspension bits won't make it onto the Ralliart, but those are just minor details. The big news? It'll cost less than the EVO and offers huge tunability! www.mitsubishimotors.com
CR-Shouldn't Have Gotten My Hopes Up
It seems the car that many were hoping would be a second coming of the CR-X has turned out to be more of a continuation of the Insight, as Honda announced some final details of the all-new CR-Z. While rumors of its lightweight and "sports car" styling cues proved true, the new gas-electric hybrid definitely does not seem to be going in the direction we all hoped. Our first realization hit when Honda began to describe the car by its "Hi-tech and sporty" interior design, "jaunty fin-shaped sub-lights" and "oversized grille with a high-performance look." Kind of like when your buddy's girlfriend tries to set you up on a blind date with her friend who "has a great personality." We all know what comes next...Alas, we can only take solace in the hope that eventually somewhere, some gearhead will make a mount kit for the car that allows for a K20 swap. www.honda.com
New Supra?
In an apparent attempt to steal some of Nissan's recent thunder, Toyota announced plans for a new variation of the infamous LF-A concept car. For those not familiar: The LF-A is Toyota's theoretical carbon-fiber and aluminum bodied, front/mid and rear-mounted 500whp V-10 supercar that some are expecting will carry-on the lineage of the late Supra, and give the GT-R a run for its money. At least one realworld test car has already been built-and has been track-tested to speeds of 200 mph, the company claims. Newest details of this almost-car are that it's planned to be offered as a roadster, as well as the coupe model we've all seen renderings of. Aside from a removable hardtop, the roadster has been given a speed-adaptive rear wing, flashy "F" emblems on each front fender, and exclusive taillights surrounding improved rear grilles that ensure heat from its rear-mounted radiators doesn't get caught up in its wake. What really matters here is that attention ($$) is still being devoted to this "concept" by company engineers and execs. Is the car inching toward its final phases of conception? Will we be hearing sales projections and MSRPs anytime soon? Will Toyota finally get their facts together and start producing the car the U.S. market has been begging them to produce to compete with the GT-R? At this point, we hope so. www.toyota.com
Nissan Lets The Box Out Of The BagAn outspoken Nissan representative recently announced the company's plans to export the Cube to U.S. shores, to compete directly with Scion's xB. This is a rumor that has been floating around for over four years, but now it actually seems to have some merit. "The Cube is coming to the U.S. market," announced Nissan Global Design Director Shiro Nakamura. "It will be a unique vehicle for Nissan (in America). Some people will find it kind of strange." Frankly, we're surprised the rumor hasn't come true years ago, considering the success of the xB-and the numerous spy shots of the Cube traveling U.S. roads that have been circulating message boards with the fever of a celebrity sex tape. No further details yet, but we'll keep our proverbial ear to the ground. www.nissanusa.com