2008 Mitsubishi Lancer: First Look
Motoring Channel Staff - 12/Dec/2006 | 
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
With a more focussed wedge profile that angles
up toward the rear, and a new look front end with
a 'shark' like snout, the new Lancer looks a treat
Mitsubishi EvolvesWell,
here it is - the new look Lancer. And if you want an idea of how the
new look Evo X (10) will appear, add a drop body kit, some larger
wheels, cut a few holes in the bonnet and add some Brembo brakes and a
large rear wing. And with power increases expected, the tenth Evo
should be yet another neck-snappingly good drive. Looking at
the new Lancer's design, the front end has a serious swagger,
featuring pinched headlights and a redesigned grille section. The rear
is more imposing too, with aggressive new brake light clusters. All
told, the new Lancer looks pretty sweet, and with new CVTs driving the
front wheels, they should be super efficient to boot. Rest assured
we'll be bringing you road tests when the new model arrives
here in early 2008, or possibly evenlate 2007. - Feann Torr, Editor |
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Tokyo, Japan —
Move over Subaru Impreza, the new Lancer is going up market! Featuring
an all-new body shape that borrows many features of the Concept X design, the new Lancer has broken cover and will be officially launched at the 2007
North American International Auto Show (the Detroit Motor Show), which
runs from January the 7th to the 21st in Detroit. The
new Lancer model highlights not only the design of Mitsubishi's next
generation small car, but also exhibits certain styling cues
that mark the Japanese company's evolving design ethos. The
new headlights feature a more aggressive design than the previous
model, and the hood has strong power lines that begin at the grille to
finish their diagonal journey at the base of the windscreen. The
new look grille represents the companies next generation 'face' and is
an up-side-down version of the grille that last graced the Lancer
series, which can be seen on vehicles like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.
The lower air dam on the new 2008 model Lancer continues the lines
started by the grille, and together with the sharp-looking headlights
combines to deliver a much fresher, and more modern appearance for the
Lancer. At the same time, the new look still has a slight
resemblance to past models, which will encourage current owners who
appreciate the old style to stay in the Lancer fold. The new
front end contains the majority of the changes to the Lancer design,
but the rear end also features a much sportier, and again, angular
appearance, with a squared-off boot housing a pair of new brake light
assemblies. These new brake lights have a more aggressive look - much
like the front end - and appear to borrow elements from the new Lexus
IS250s rump. And expect an even more dynamic rear end treatment on the
Evolution or Evo model, which will be powered by a new 2.0-litre
turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine. As well as the Mitsubishi Lancer's new design, and the Japanese company says the new model has a larger body than the
current model. With an overall length of 4570mm (35mm longer),
overall width of 1760mm (65mm wider), overall height of 1490mm (60
mm taller) and wheelbase of 2635mm (35 mm longer), the 2008 Lancer is an altogether larger car. Part
of the new vehicles increased size is borne from its use of a new
platform (or floorpan), which it shares with the much large Outlander
SUV. Mitusbishi claims this next generation platform, sometimes
referred to as 'Project Global', has outstanding crash safety and
rigidity. The
new Lancer will be launched world-wide in late 2007 and 2008. To be
launched in Europe in late 2007, the new model will be offered in four
different power levels, and this range is expected to be mirrored when
the new Lancer comes to Australia. The four levels are expected to
comprise of entry level Lancers, mid-range Lancers, luxury or high-end
Lancers and of course the ubiquitous performance Lancers - the
turbocharged, all-wheel drive Evolution models. As well as the
entry level models, which may feature sub-2.0-litre engines in Europe,
there will also be 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines. The
2.0-litre petrolengines with DOHC and variable valve timing (MIVEC) will generate 112kW (152hp) and will be mated to
SportronicR CVT transmission, which will also feature a 6-speed
mode for those who don't like the stepless attributes of modern CVTs
(continuously variable transmission). Mitsubishi explains that
some trim levels (mid-range and high-end models) will be offered
with
steering wheel mounted paddle shifters that allow the driver to shift
gears manually without taking his hand off the wheel. The Japanese
automaker also adds that the new Lancer will deliver outstanding
economy and environmental performance, while the drivelines will
be complemented by equipment and appointment specification that
elevates driving enjoyment to a new level in a total package that
satisfies all the requirements for a next-generation sport sedan. In
other words, standard features should be much improved. The diesel engine will displace 2.0-litres and will make 103kW (140hp). There
will also be the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine reserved
specially for the Lancer Evolution X model, which is expected to be
a newer version of the current engine in the Evolution IX,
outputting more power. Though the Lancer Evolution X has not been
officially announced, power is expected to climb from 206kW (280hp) to
about 220kW (300hp), which will combine with the car's dynamic 4WD
system for exceptional performance, both in a straight line and round a
corner. Related articles:
- Mitsubishi Evolution VI: TME: Tested
- Mitsubishi Evolution VIII: Tested
- Mitsubishi Evolution IX: Tested
- Mitsubishi Lancer: Tested
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