|
By
EWAN KENNEDY
16 June 2008
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
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
