Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart named best functional car in Winding Road Magazine's 2009 design awards

Citing its performance, versatility and aggressive styling, the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart was named the Best Functional Car in Winding Road magazine's inaugural Design Awards.

Winding Road editors praised the Lancer Sportback Ralliart's versatility, and ranked it highly in all four judging criteria: Aesthetics, Sense Points, Utility and Driving.

"This is really where the newest Lancer wins hearts and minds, as its five-door arrangement is perhaps the most useful possible for a motor vehicle. Add in Mitsubishi's quite competent all-wheel drive system, and you've got a dead-fast, four-seasons mini hauler," the editors wrote.

The Lancer Sportback Ralliart, which goes on sale this summer, is powered by a 2.0-liter MIVEC turbocharged engine that pumps out 237 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. All-Wheel Control (AWC) with Active Center Differential (ACD) is standard, as is the quick-shifting six-speed Twin Clutch-Sportronic® Shift Transmission (TC-SST) that it shares with the Lancer Evolution, including dual magnesium-alloy paddle shifters.

The Sportback body style is an important addition to the Lancer family as it extends the Lancer's potential to handle almost anything its owner wants to tackle, from spirited driving to a weekend camping trip. Its large, steeply sloping rear door extends to the bumper to ease loading of bulky objects, and the 60/40 split folding rear seats provides ample cargo-carrying options.

"Accolades for the Lancer family of vehicles, which include the Lancer, Lancer Ralliart, Lancer Evolution and now the Sportback, continue to pour in nationwide, as journalists and consumers discover the value, versatility and performance this model provides," said John Koenig, executive vice president of operations for Mitsubishi Motors North America.

The newest member of the multiple award-winning Lancer family is part of Mitsubishi's refocused efforts to introduce new models designed to meet evolving consumer demands. The Sportback's basic architecture, technical features and most optional equipment are shared with the Lancer sedan, a winner of recent awards, including:

• J.D. Power and Associates' 2008 Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study, naming the touch-screen interface system an industry-leader and the first non-premium brand to ever capture the award
• NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
• IIHS Top Safety Pick
• CNET Editors' Choice (Lancer Evolution)
• MSN Top-10 New Cars