Vilner Transforms A Mitsubishi Lancer Into The Luxurious Allroads Ronin

Vilner has made a name for itself fitting some fancy interiors to all manner of vehicles – not just high-end metal, but more “accessible” wheels, too. Just look at this latest project.

Called the Mitsubishi Allroads Ronin, it’s based on a 2011 Lancer Ralliart – hardly the most auspicious point of departure, but it’s been upgraded inside to a standard that would make even a Lexus LS look blue-collar by comparison.

Taking its name from the Japanese term for a samurai knight with no master, the Ronin is done up in a material called Amaretta. It’s similar to the Alcantara you’d find in many performance vehicles, but it’s said to be of higher quality – and sourced from Japan.

The headrests look like the woodwork on a samurai’s suit of armor, but are actually coated in heat- and pressure-treated velour. Plastic trim has been replaced with metal, the steering wheel rimmed with Nappa leather, the handbrake lever looks like a samurai-sword handle, the instruments done up like a Ferrari’s, and the center mirror fitted without a frame.

The Lithuanian customizer also added some 77 pounds of extra sound deadening to make the interior more than twice as quiet inside. It also fitted an 11-inch touchscreen display with a rear view camera, but its enhancements weren’t limited to the interior in which it specializes. Vilner also jacked up the suspension by 0.78 inches, fitted a set of Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, and a set of 60-watt LED headlights.

The result is a complete transformation of the work-a-day Lancer that will be showcased at the Geneva Motor Show next month. We’re just not sure we want to know how much the conversion cost – or what else you could get for the same money. Because we’re pretty sure it wouldn’t be a Mitsubishi.