New Mitsubishi Lancer range
Author: David Miles
Published: 01 July 2008
Despite the fact that the Lancer has been in Mitsubishi model line-up virtually all the time since the brand came to Europe in 1974, in recent years has not always proved to be a large enough sales success except for the high-performance Evolution models.
The Lancer was first seen in Europe at the British Motor Show in 1974 when it was displayed alongside a pre-production version of the larger Mitsubishi Galant Saloon.
The Lancer started life as a booted version of the Japanese Mirage small hatchback which then became a Colt. The Lancer also proved to be a significant model for Mitsubishi in the motorsport world and in the late 1970’s was to become very successful in the world of rallying – just as it has been with the most recent Lancer Evolution models.
Now with the D-segment Galant consigned to the history books, the all-new tenth-generation Lancer launched earlier this year bears the brunt of competing for sales in the C and D-segments of the European car market.
With Mitsubishi only able to offer customers the smaller Colt three and five-door hatchbacks, the long-in-the-tooth previous Lancer saloons and estates, the much larger Grandis MPV and Outlander and Shogun SUVs, they have a real need for an up-to-date and still affordable mid-sized range to boost their sales.
Currently the all-new Lancer is available as two-wheel drive, four-door saloons, but five-door Sportsback models join the line-up in September and the all-wheel drive Lancer Evolution X high performance models are already on sale continuing their high-performance road car and rallying heritage.
The Lancer range has prices starting from £12,499 for the forthcoming 1.5-litre GSI 5-Door, a bit of a price hike from the outgoing saloon model which weighed in at around £10,000. Saloon models start at £14,999. Lancer Saloon Evolution FQ variants with 300, 330 and 360bhp power outputs range from £27,499 to £37,999.
A mid-range all-wheel drive Ralliart Sportback model, price to be announced, will also be introduced to bridge the gap between the Evolution X and the rest of the range.
If the prices vary hugely then so do the capabilities of the new generation Lancer. Evolution models are legendary for the power, performance and pure driving capabilities. Mainstream models, although they look very sporting, are much less capable but like all Mitsubishis they are soundly engineered, covered by long warranties and seem totally dependable.
As Mitsubishi do not have upper and lower medium sector passenger models, for example Ford Focus and Ford Mondeo in size, the new Lancer line-up has to fit all requirements. The two body styles help as does the wide range of trim and equipment levels and engine options.
Because of higher diesel fuel prices over petrol nobody at this stage can sensibly estimate the sales split in the UK for which engine options will prove most popular. Traditionally five-door hatchbacks, or Sportback as Mitsubishi calls theirs, will be the best seller.
Mitsubishi estimate that 50 per cent of Lancer sales will go to conquest customers, 24 per cent of all sales will be saloon models, 70 per cent Sportback and six per cent Evolution versions.
Their positioning is aimed to offer the mainstream Lancer models at Mazda 3 prices but with the aspirational values of a Volvo S40. Residual values are forecast to improve for the new range at 37 per cent after three years, just behind the Honda Civic but ahead of the Mazda 3 and Ford Focus.
Family cars - namely saloons - don´t need to merely be about practicality, interior space and running costs. Many are great to drive, good-looking and gadget-heavy.
Pictures, specs and reviews of all the family saloons on the road.
Mitsubishi has premiered the Lancer Sportback at the Paris Show alongside the new made-in- Europe Colt supermini and Racing Lancer turbodiesel competition car.
New Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X range is on sale now, including variants with 300, 330 and 360PS power outputs costing between £27,499 and £37,999.
The new Mitsubishi Evo X offers incredible performance and handling, but high cost twinned with under-par quality take the sheen off Mitsubishi's 'affordable supercar'.
advertisement
The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 has been named the ultimate Performance Car of The Year 2008 in CAR magazine’s annual test. | 10/10/2008
Mazda will reveal a four-door saloon version of the all-new Mazda3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show on 19th November 2008. | 10/10/2008
Skoda is releasing the new Superb GreenLine on 13 October - one of the few specialist low-emission saloons on the UK market, available at £16,710. | 10/10/2008
The new Audi S3 Sportback balances great performance and driveability with strong practicality and high quality - but is it priced too highly? | 10/10/2008
Audi has received 25,000 advance orders already in place for future UK sales, having bucked the diving market in September with a rare sales success for any manufacturer. | 10/10/2008
|09/10/2008
The credit crunch is starting to impact on car-buying, with dealers and manufacturers feeling the pinch. But now could be the best time to buy a new or used car, or get good leasing and finance deals. How to make the credit crunch work for you.
|10/10/2008
The new Audi S3 Sportback balances great performance and driveability with strong practicality and high quality - but is it priced too highly?
|10/10/2008
The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 has been named the ultimate Performance Car of The Year 2008 in CAR magazine’s annual test.
|10/10/2008
Skoda is releasing the new Superb GreenLine on 13 October - one of the few specialist low-emission saloons on the UK market, available at £16,710.
|10/10/2008
Mazda will reveal a four-door saloon version of the all-new Mazda3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show on 19th November 2008.
|20/11/2007
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
|01/10/2008
Euro Car Parts has acquired Pinco 1555 Ltd, including all 53 of LSUK's 53 branches, together with subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind.
|06/12/2007
Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.
|07/10/2008
Euro Car Parts has put out a statement on the closure of LSUK, stating that a closure of the business was unavoidable due to a 'lack of support'.
|06/10/2008
LSUK, thought to have been rescused by Euro Car Parts, has been unexpectedly closed by the new owners with the loss of over 600 jobs.
Search Motortorque:
No readers comments
Be the first to write a comment on this article