Mitsubishi Lancer (2007): first official pictures

By Jack Carfrae

First Official Pictures

27 June 2007 11:43

Mitsubishi Lancer: the lowdown

With all the recent attention focused on Mitsubishi’s hot shot Evo X, its donor car, the Lancer, has been a bit neglected. Until now. A far cry from the unbreakable but unlovable stock Lancers that went before it, Mitsubishi’s new Jetta basher mixes sleek lines with four-square attitude and a healthy dollop of value for money. When the saloon arrives in March next year, the Lancer will join the family car sales fray, with a choice of three engines and a bewildering array of transmission options. Hit next for the all the details.

The Evo X may get all the bells and whistles, but the standard Lancer starts off with a 142bhp, 1.8-litre petrol unit aimed squarely at the fleet sector. There's also the option of a more frugal 2.0-litre diesel engine, which pumps out an equally healthy 138bhp. The five-door will arrive the following August, and with it, an entry-level 1.5-litre MIVEC petrol engine, which will not be available on the heavier four-door becasue of its paltry 109bhp. Mitsubishi has gone all out on the gearbox front. Buyers will have the option of a five-speed manual with the 1.5 and 1.8-litre petrol engines, a six-speed manual with the diesel and a CVT 'box with the 1.8. Mitsubishi's automated manual transmission will be reserved for the Evo only. That's a lot of choice just to change gear.

By Jack Carfrae