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16/06/2008
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Mitsubishi's revival in Australia continues. Once the Japanese company manufactured cars here as well as importing others from Japan. Now it’s purely an importer, and leading the charge in the sales race is the Mitsubishi Lancer.
Having just driven one for the past week we can understand why this new model Lancer, introduced to Australia in September 2007, is enjoying success in the showroom.
 Lancer has partly replaced the Mitsubishi 380, the car that used to be built here. Though it’s smaller than the 380, it’s larger than average for its class. So, in these days of rapidly climbing fuel prices, many buyers are finding that a Lancer meets their needs as a family machine. Unless the kids are at the giant-teenage stage owners are telling us the Lancer is large enough suit their needs.
The body styling is excellent and, thankfully, avoids looking like everything else on the road. A real plus in the eyes of the Lancer buyers to whom we have spoken.
Mitsubishi stylists have given it a heavily sculpted nose that slants forwards rather than backwards. The lower air dam shape works nicely, as do the bold bonnet creases flowing into the A-pillars. The rising beltline swooping over flared wheel arches complements these, there's a touch of pout to the bootlid. The angles of the tail-lights add to the stance, while the squared planes of the rear bumper are tapered around the sides to visually shorten the overhang.
Inside, the double-domed binnacle and deep dial cluster work well both from an aesthetic and ergonomic point of view. There are plenty of stowage areas for the bottles, mobile phones and assorted bits and pieces we all tend to carry around these days.
The boot can handle a reasonable amount and split-fold rear seats are now offered across the complete Lancer range.
 The latest Mitsubishi Lancer is well priced, with the range beginning at just $20,990. It comes packed with plenty of standard equipment, including automatic air conditioning and headlights, as well as rain-sensing wipers. The Lancer VRX that was our test car even has Bluetooth, steering wheel controls and a smart key setup.
Stability and traction controls are fitted to all models. These monitor and correct a loss of balance or traction, so have been in the media spotlight for their ability to help drivers avoid crashes. There has been debate over whether they should become a mandatory safety feature, Mitsubishi Australia has already made them so in the Lancer.
To reduce the need for ESP and multiple airbags, Mitsubishi Australia has also specified anti-lock disc brakes with brakeforce distribution and brake assist.
Mitsubishi's latest Lancer currently comes only as a four-door sedan, but a five-door hatchback is on the way next year.
At the moment, the Lancer VRX shares the same new-design 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine with the others in the range. A larger, 2.4-litre powerplant will arrive later. The 2.0-litre engine produces 113 kW of power at 6000 rpm, and 198 Nm of torque at 4250 revs. The use of some plastic parts makes it lighter than in the superseded Lancer, and improved technology means it produces fewer emissions, uses less fuel and produces extra power.
Typically the engine will use about seven to nine litres per hundred kilometres on motorways and in gentle cruising on flattish roads. Around town this is likely to rise to nine to eleven litres per hundred. These are good numbers for a family car with good interior volume.
 The manual gearbox felt a bit on the notchy side at first, but we found that we soon settled into its way of doing things and liked the sporting feeling. There's also the option of a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The latter can be an acquired taste, but once you’re used to its different operation most owners soon cease to notice its peculiarities.
The Lancer sits confidently flat when you drive it around corners with a bit of verve. However, there is a less than compliant ride at times when you hit roughish rural bitumen. Steering is well-weighted and responsive and driving enthusiasts will enjoy the experience in what is after all a practical family sedan. The firmer suspension won’t please everybody so try to take one for a decent test drive on suitable roads to see what you think.
Mitsubishi Australia looks to be onto a winner with its new Lancer. A combination of style, interior space and performance is complemented by sharp pricing and in it’s early days it’s certainly attracting plenty of buyer interest.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
ES 2.0-litre four-door sedan - $20,990
VR 2.0-litre four-door sedan - $25,290
VRX 2.0-litre four-door sedan - $28,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: $2300 option in ER and VR, $2500 option in VRX
CD Player: Standard in all models
Central Locking: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Stability Control: Standard in all models
Traction Control: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Mitsubishi Lancer VR 2.0-litre four-door sedan)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.998 litres
Configuration: Transverse, four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Bore/Stroke: 86.0 x 86.0 mm
Maximum Power: 113 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 198 Nm @ 4250 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Five-speed
Automatic Transmission: Continuously variable
Final Drive Ratio: 4.235:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4570 mm
Wheelbase: 2635 mm
Width: 1760 mm
Height: 1490 mm
Turning Circle: 10.0 metres
Kerb Mass: 1325 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 59 litres
Towing Ability: 550 kg (1000 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Independent, multi-link, trailing arms, coil springs
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 9.5 secs
Standing 400 Metres: NA
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 91RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 7.8 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS
Greenhouse Rating: 6.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years/130,000km |
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