Mitsubishi Lancer 2016 News

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Rumours of a hybrid drivetrain for Mitsubishi’s next-generation Evolution performance flagship are gaining momentum, with a new report by Japanese magazine Holiday Auto suggesting that the next Evo will maintain its traditional turbo petrol and all-wheel drive attributes with green-friendly plug-in hybrid power.According to the report, the Evo will benefit from technology developed for efficiency-focused models like the new plug-in Outlander SUV to improve on the current model’s combined fuel consumption of at least 10.1L/100km, while boosting performance to new levels.Porsche, McLaren and Ferrari have recently proven that the words performance and hybrid are not at all mutually exclusive with their 918 Spyder, P1, and LaFerrari fastest-ever models, and it’s only a matter of time before such tech trickles down to more affordable performance models like the Evo.The Mitsubishi is not the only bang-for bucks champion in line for hybridisation, with Nissan’s next GT-R also set to incorporate some form of efficiency-boosting electrification and Honda has confirmed a similar shift for its upcoming NSX.Holiday Auto suggests that the Evo will use a similar dual electric motor layout to the Outlander PHEV, but will ditch the SUV’s atmo 2.0-litre petrol engine for a smaller 1.1 litre turbo unit similar to that used by the XR and AR concepts shown in Tokyo recently.Mitsubishi is reportedly targeting outputs similar to a 3.0-litre aspirated engine for the Evo-spec 1100cc unit, which suggests something in the vicinity of 170kW, before electric power is factored in.   Such a 155kW/L specific output would mark a significant jump from the 108.6kW/L achieved from the 217kW 2.0-litre turbo unit in the existing Evo X, and exceed even the 133.1kW/L achieved by 265kW 2.0 litre four powering the Mercedes A45 and CLA45 AMG twins.Even with the Outlander PHEV’s dual 60kW electric motors, a circa-170kW petrol engine would have the potential to trounce the current Evo X, but these could be uprated in the pursuit of GT-R rivalling performance reported elsewhere.Also key to a hybrid Evo’s performance potential will be maintaining the Outlander PHEV’s battery system location ahead of the rear axle for the benefit of weight distribution.Other reports have suggested that the next Evolution will require a bespoke platform to deal with its unique packaging and performance demands, suggesting it could lose the Lancer name for the first time in the model’s history.Such a repositioning would mirror Nissan’s GT-R, which was distanced from the Skyline nameplate for the first time when the current R35 model launched in 2007.The next-generation Lancer is set to ride on a platform shared with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, but it is unclear whether this strategy extends to the mooted Evo replacement.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn

Over the years it's often been hidden in the shadows of its big brothers, Magna and Verada. This is a shame because it's a very competent car in its own right, it's built to a high standard and is simple to drive, with handling that's better than average for the type. Ride comfort is generally good but rough roads can rattle things about at times, especially in the budget-priced variants. The latest, all-new Lancer was released half-way through 2007 and, as is often the case with new releases, this has renewed interest in the model as a whole. It's been a consistently good seller in recent years, meaning that there are plenty on the used car scene. The older model Lancers are a little smaller than the latest one, which is approaching the original Mitsubishi Magna in size. However, some of the added size is to let it conform to crash safety laws so there isn't as much extra interior space as you might expect. Interior space is good in the front, but can be marginal in the rear if the front seats are adjusted rearwards to suit tall occupants. Rear seat headroom can be tight in the hatches, but is generally fine in the sedans and wagons. Lancer is simple to drive and park and has long been a favourite with those living in the suburbs and inner-city areas. It's OK in the bush and doesn't get knocked around too badly on rough roads, though this isn't the habitat it was aimed at. Handling is better than average for the type, though you wouldn't really call the Lancer a driver's machine. The Lancer MR coupe of 1997 to 2004 has firmer suspension and tauter steering so is an exception to the rule and has gained a reasonable reputation among those in the hot-four scene. There have been many Lancer body types over the years; two-door coupes, three-door hatches, four-door sedans and five-door station wagons. However, not all were on sale at all times. Note that there was an overlap with the station wagon as it didn't always change its design at the same time as the rest of the range. Thus we sometimes saw the old wagons being sold for up to two years alongside the new sedans. Three-door hatches prior to 1996 were called Lancers but the name was changed to Mirage with the introduction of the new model of that year. However, Mirage shares quite a few under-the-skin parts with Lancer and many of the remarks here can be heeded by potential Mirage buyers. Under the bonnet Lancer engines are all four-cylinder units. They had a displacement of 1.5 litres in the early days, a 1.8-litre unit being used in the upmarket versions from 1992 and a 2.0-litre in most models from 2002. The 1.5 engine used a carburettor until 1996 and fuel injection from then onwards. Because the Lancer was approaching the end of its life, August 2005 saw a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine being squeezed under the bonnet to grab sales away from the competition. This big engine has plenty of torque for safe overtaking, yet it doesn't use a lot more fuel than the smaller engines as it's running in a lightly stressed condition almost all of the time. This engine is the one to go for if your budget is up to it. Manual gearboxes are all five-speed units. Automatic transmissions on most older models were three-speed units until 1996, when they moved up to four speeds. The hot Lancer GSR of 1992 to 1996 is a rally-based special with all-wheel-drive and a hot twin-cam, turbo engine. It can cost big money to insure, service and repair, and is best left to the revheads. Lancer GSR models prior to the turbocharged version used a non-turbo 1.6-litre and have far less performance than the later model. The highly specialised, highly priced Lancer Evolution models are even further up the performance scale and are so far removed from the rest of the Lancer range that we'll ignore them here. Spare parts and repair prices are about average for this class and the Australian Mitsubishi dealer network is widespread and works efficiently. The Lancer is relatively easy for the home mechanic to work on, with good under-bonnet space and a conventional layout. Insurance charges are about average for the class, though you are likely to be charged substantially more for the hot GSR. Danger signs If possible, start the engine when it is completely cold. It should fire up within a couple of seconds and idle reasonably smoothly and quietly straight away. Carburettor engines, only fitted until 1996, won't be quite as smooth or tractable when cold as fuel-injected ones, but if one seems too bad call in an expert for advice. If the engine puffs oily smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration it may be due for an overhaul. Feel for an automatic transmission that is slow to engage gear or is inclined to change up and down unnecessarily. A manual gearbox should be slick and easy to use. If not there could be troubles — fast changes down through the gears will show the problem first. Check for previous body repairs by looking for ripples in the panels, paint that doesn't match correctly from one panel to another, and tiny spots of paint on glass, badges, body trim and so on. Rust is uncommon but check the lower areas of the body and the bottom corners of the doors, tailgate or boot lid as applicable. A Lancer GSR may have had a hard life in the hands of an amateur rally driver. Look for full-harness safety belts, a roll cage, rally instruments and driving lights. Check for under body damage and for panel repairs. Also listen for a noisy turbo and/or one that's slow to respond to the throttle.  

The boosted Lancer, expected to carry the Ralliart name, will slot into the line-up below the red-hot EVO model. The range will be similar to Subaru's Impreza stable, which has a turbo AWD WRX as the main performance model with a faster, more expensive STI as the hero car. It will be the first time Mitsubishi can offer an affordable WRX rival since the cult GSR Lancer more than 10 years ago. The Japanese carmaker has adopted a "bang for your bucks" approach, kicking-off with the Ralliart version of the Colt baby car. Apart from giving the struggling model some positive publicity, the turbo model has added about 40 Colt sales a month. Mitsubishi added to the build-up of the next-generation Lancer -- the brand's best-selling model in Australia -- by releasing a sketch of the car to be unveiled at the Detroit motor show in January. More aggressive, it bears similarities to the Concept X at Frankfurt last year. The Lancer, which will be bigger than current models, is to arrive in Australia next September. A standard model will be the first to go on sale with a new generation 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that is expected to produce about 120kW. A 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a diesel will be offered in Europe, but are unlikely here initially. The performance turbo AWD model, to compete with the WRX, joins the range in the first half of 2008 along with full-on EVO model. Mitsubishi offers a wagon version of the Lancer, but it is unclear whether a similar load hauler is part of the next Lancer plan. JAMES STANFORD A classic for everyone Classic cars owned by a mystery collector attracted $1.1 million last weekend at a Sydney auction. Some 95 cars went to a new home, while a further 58 are being referred to the vendor. The top sellers were a 1959 Jaguar XK150, selling for $79,100, a Ford V6 Capri RS3100, which went for double what was expected at $72,320 and a 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III, for $50,850. The cheapest model to sell on the day was a 1978 Opel Rekord, which attracted $678. About 700 people attended the auction with a further 70 customers bidding by telephone. The collector, a businessman who wishes to remain anonymous, amassed the 153 vehicles during a 30 year period, storing them in garages around NSW. It was the biggest private collection of classic cars offered at a public auction in Australia, outdoing both the Lindsay Fox and John Laws collections. A 1981 De Lorean sold for a tasty $45,200, a 1953 Riley went for $25,000 and a 1981 Holden Brock Commodore fetched $32,700. "There were so many different marques on offer within diverse price ranges," says Bonhams and Goodman chief executive officer Tim Goodman, who conducted the auction. Base commitment Hyundai will cement its commitment to Australia with a new $70 million headquarters in Sydney. At a groundbreaking ceremony this week Hyundai chief executive Steve Yeo says the new building will house Hyundai's Australian operations into the future. "It is a very substantial investment for us but it was an opportunity that we simply could not miss," Yeo says. Yeo says the multi-storey building in Macquarie Park, North Ryde, will provide enough space for Hyundai with an opportunity for future growth. Hyundai cars have been in Australia since 1986 with the marque adopting manufacturer/importer status in 2003.