The Ralliart name is back on appearance packages for the Mitsubishi Triton and Pajero Sport, but Mitsubishi Australia is holding out for something more substantial.
Mitsubishi has released the Ralliart-badged ute and SUV models in Thailand, where they’re both built.
They feature various aesthetic tweaks but no engine or suspension upgrades.
“This package is developed for the Thai market. It won’t be coming to Australia,” said a spokesperson for Mitsubishi Australia.
“There are ongoing discussions about future Ralliart developments and we’re really excited about the future of Ralliart and to be part of those discussions.
“We think that there’s great potential for Ralliart and excited to see within Mitsubishi there is discussion and ongoing future interest in Ralliart as a brand.”
Earlier this year, Mitsubishi announced it would sell Ralliart Parts – aerodynamic add-ons and body work, perhaps performance upgrades – and subsequently Mitsubishi Motors CEO Takao Kato said the company would return to motorsport events worldwide.
It’s all billed as part of a push to add extra “Mitsubishi Motors-ness” to upcoming vehicles, says the company. Whatever that means, it hints at getting back to some of the amazing rally engineering it was famous for in WRC and Dakar.
MORE: Mitsubishi Australia coy on Ralliart return
The first Ralliart-badged models, however, are these Thai specials.
The Triton Ralliart, available in both Double Cab and Mega Cab (aka Club Cab) bodies and only with two-wheel drive, features black mirror covers and door handles and a unique front bumper garnish.
The Pajero Sport Ralliart features darkened bi-LED headlights, plus a black rear spoiler, black roof and black antenna.
All Triton and Pajero Sport Ralliart models also feature decals of dubious aesthetic merit, as well as branded mud flaps and floor mats and black-finish alloy wheels.
There are no enhancements to the suspension of either, while the Triton Ralliart uses a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with 94kW of power and 240Nm of torque and the Pajero Sport Ralliart uses the familiar 2.4-litre turbo-diesel with 133kW and 430Nm.
A five-speed manual is mandatory in the Triton, and an eight-speed automatic in the Pajero Sport.
Mitsubishi isn’t the first brand to offer appearance packages for the Asian market.
Toyota has been progressively rolling out GR Sport-branded HiLux and Fortuner models throughout Asia.
The HiLux GR Sport does, however, feature a revised suspension tune, at least in the Japanese market, though there’s no extra power.
MORE: 2022 Toyota HiLux GR Sport revealed, no Australian launch confirmed
Toyota HiLux Revo GR Sport 
Ford Ranger XL Street 
Isuzu D-Max X-Series
Its Thai equivalent, the Revo GR Sport, is lowered by 23mm in 4×2 model guise, while Toyota Thailand says the 4×4 has a new monotube shock absorber.
All HiLux and Fortuner GR Sport models also feature aesthetic tweaks like red highlights in the interior and black-finish alloy wheels.
Sporty-looking utes, particularly lowered 4×2 ones, are currently all the rage in Thailand, with Ford offering an XL Street variant of its Ranger and Isuzu offering the lurid D-Max X-Series.
MORE: Everything Mitsubishi Triton
MORE: Everything Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
