The latest Lancer from Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi is a pretty nice car to look at but does it drive as well as it looks?
Lancer as a model name seems to date back to the Stone Age. Now in its’ ninth generation, the 30-year-old car keeps reinventing itself. When viewed head on, the new look nose is the most interesting exterior design feature. Lancer is now quite striking and more surprisingly for a family saloon, a little exciting to look at. The side and rear views prove more conventional but acceptable nonetheless for a three-box saloon.
Ireland gets one petrol version of the Lancer from launch. A 2-litre diesel (taken from the ‘Outlander’) will arrive this year. As of writing, €22,495 will get you a 1.5 litre front-wheel drive car with a power output of 109bhp. €23,995 will secure an automatic version.
Lancer is built on the same ‘Global Platform’ as the Outlander SUV and many other vehicles. The level of standard specification is impressive; with a leather steering wheel, Bluetooth and 16” alloys present. In fact the only things missing are the kitchen sink and perhaps more noticeably, the driving aid ‘ESP’. Ford has taken a lead in this sector by making ESP (Electronic Stability Control) standard across its new ‘Focus’ range. This is something no other manufacturer in the small family car class has done…yet!
The ‘Halo’ effect of the legendary ‘Evo’ (Evolution) versions helps the Lancer greatly. These awesome all-wheel drive road-going rally cars have made the Lancer brand quite cool. Unlike an Evo the latest Lancer won’t have you stopping every 200 kilometres to fill up for fuel as it returns an average fuel consumption of 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres travelled.
Performance fans will be delighted to note that Mitsubishi will deliver the tenth generation ‘Evo’ to these shores in May.
On the road the new Lancer is as effortless to drive as a Nissan Micra. The steering is very light, as is the clutch and other controls. If you like to feel a little more connected to the driving experience the newest Lancer will disappoint. The clutch ‘bite point’ takes a bit of getting used when moving off but otherwise the five-speed gearbox can help you make decent progress.
Ireland still loves the smaller saloon, which still account for around a third of sales in the traditional small family car sector (‘C’). Not one to miss out, Mitsubishi will release a hatchback version of the Lancer in July. It will be known as the Lancer ‘Sportback’ and will feature the same engine range as the saloon. Mitsubishi has designed the Lancer to achieve a five star rating from Euro NCAP and has fitted nine airbags as standard.
Is the Lancer better than its main rivals (Focus, Corolla, Jetta or Mazda 3)? No, but it is priced well and has a lot of standard kit.
For many buyers, Lancer’s exterior styling will prove the height of its appeal.
Michael Sheridan
