Spacious interior makes sporty breed popular
This Mitsubishi provides drivers with quick reflexes and good fuel economy
At first blush, describing Mitsubishi as cash-strapped seems as incongruous as calling Thor actor Chris Hemsworth fat and balding.
After all, this Japanese conglomerate embraces shipping, mining, banking and aircraft manufacturing in its mission statement, along with building automobiles.
It started making cars in 1917, when Mr. Toyoda was still tinkering with industrial looms.
Unfortunately, Mitsubishi Motors doesn’t have the resources to retool its bread-and-butter car every four years the way Honda does. The present Lancer has been sold in North America for eight years and counting.
Now in its ninth generation (the family tree stems back to the 1977 Plymouth Colt), the front-drive Lancer uses the same global platform underpinning the Outlander crossover.
Mitsubishi did its homework: enhanced torsional rigidity (by 56 per cent) and bending rigidity made for a stout platform and an ideal foundation for a hard-working suspension, one that benefitted from increased travel, improved geometry as well as substantially stiffer springs and shocks.
Inside, occupants were treated to a roomy — if sparsely appointed — cabin with good ergonomics, impressive (optional) navigation technology and a spacious rear seat. Still, not everyone was thrilled with the surroundings.
“Interior quality is subpar,” one owner kvetched online. “The dash is very plasticky, and the fitment of panels is kind of cheap-looking.” Oh, and the steering wheel doesn’t telescope.
Debuting in the spring of 2007, all early Lancers were powered by Mitsubishi’s aluminum 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine, good for 152 horsepower and 146 lb-ft. of torque. The motor was tied to an Aisin fivespeed manual gearbox or optional continuously variable automatic (CVT).
The new-generation Evolution performance sedan arrived in 2008, marking the first time it could be purchased in Canada. The Evo’s tur- bocharged 2.0-litre four churned out 295 hp and 300 lb-ft. of grunt working through a sophisticated fourwheel-drive system with three electronic programs. The 2009 GTS model came with a new 168 horsepower, 2.4-litre four cylinder that gave the Lancer a sportier character, aided by a sharper suspension and 18-inch alloys and rubber, although it sacrificed some fuel economy.
To do battle with Subaru’s WRX, the Ralliart (“Evo Lite”) also debuted in 2009, packaged with all-wheel drive and a 237 horsepower, single-scroll 2.0-litre turbo four — and a mandatory six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission.
A five-door “Sportback” hatch joined the lineup in 2010, although buyers balked at its ambitious pricing. Mitsubishi responded with a toned-down Sportback for 2011 with the smaller 2.0-litre engine.
Base-model Lancers added elec- tric-assist power steering and brake regeneration to boast fuel economy in 2011, while cheaper drum brakes replaced the rear discs. All models got minor styling tweaks in 2012 and again in 2014.
Driving and owning the Lancer
The Lancer represents a sport-flavoured alternative to the usual econobox fare: zero to 97 km/h came up in 7.8 seconds in base models with the five-speed stick, while the slowacting CVT added a full second. The 2.4-litre GTS took 7.2 seconds with a stick.
The all-wheel-drive Ralliart carried 130 kilograms more weight than the WRX, which impacted acceleration (5.4 seconds to 97 km/h), and hurt braking performance, skid-pad grip and fuel economy. The Evo could blast to 97 km/h in 4.6 seconds, thanks to its bevy of computers that managed traction issues.
Owners adore the Lancer’s gener- ous space, quick reflexes and aggressive profile that set it apart in its class. For the best fuel economy, owners advise sticking with the base 2.0-litre motor.
Crafted by robots in Japan, the Lancer can outlive its five-year warranty (turbo models get three years) with few mechanical issues. Some drivers disliked the CVT’s sluggish behaviour, which is reputed to suck much of the energy from the 2.0-litre four. Some early CVTs required replacement; later units appear to be more robust.
Online gripes revealed some worn wheel bearings, a few failed AWD differentials, seized brake calipers, broken CD players, sagging sun visors and easily chipped paint. The accessory drive belt and pulleys are the subject of a recall. Tell us about your ownership experience with these models: Chevrolet Avalanche and Volkswagen Beetle. Email: toljagic@ca.inter.net.