Sydney show: Mitsubishi reveals hot Magna

MITSUBISHI revealed its hottest Magna yet at the Sydney Show. And the good news is it should be in production soon for around $50,000.

The Ralliart Magna has around 180kW from its 3.5-litre V6 engine, sits on 17x8-inch OZ alloy wheels shod with 225/50 tyres and is stopped by 15-inch cross-drilled discs up front, with 10-inch items at the rear.

Mitsubishi is claiming a sub-seven second 0-100km/h time for the car and a 0-400m best in a little over 14.5 seconds.

The car was developed by Mitsubishi engineers in conjunction with Ralliart Australia, the independently owned local arm of Mitsubishi's worldwide motorsport and high-performance operation.

This car should be the first of a wave of Ralliart-badged product as Mitsubishi Australia moves to exploit Ralliart's heritage and create a more sporting image for itself in Australia.

To boost power from 163 to 180kW, the engine has been re-worked with a high-lift camshaft, sports exhaust, new head and revised engine management calibrations.

But this is not the four-wheel drive Magna currently being investigated by Mitsubishi. To put all that power through the front wheels, the five-speed manual version employs a limited slip differential while the auto relies on traction control.

Inside, the Ralliart Magna is trimmed with a red, black and silver theme.

It has a special instrument cluster with red face and white markings, a premium eight-speaker Clarion audio system, Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel and gear shifter, as well as silver trim highlight in the centre console.

Mitsubishi also showed a hot version of the Magna wagon called the Sportswagon, which it says would be priced at $35,000 if it goes into production.

Based on the current Magna Sports, the show car had lowered suspension and 17x7-inch ROH alloy wheels shod with 235/45 Bridgestone tyres.

Body styling incorporates the twin headlights and foglights of the sedan while the body kit incorporates a new style rear deflector/spoiler, sports exhaust and roof rails.

The engine is the 163kW, 3.5-litre V6 as used in the Sports while the wagon also uses the five-speed "Tiptronic"-style sequential coupled to Mitsubishi's traction control.