Mitsubishi Lancer Road Test

Mitsubishi Lancer

There are four trim levels, excluding the Evo and three power units but not all are available throughout the range. For instance, the GS1, entry level car comes as a hatch or ‘Sportback’ as it is called, only and has a 109PS, 1.5 MIVEC petrol engine under the bonnet and bears a price tag of £12,499.

The GS2 is also a Sportback but has a greater choice of engines; a 143PS 1.8 petrol unit at £13,999 and a 140PS 2.0 diesel (£15,499) with CVT available as a £1,000 option for the petrol only.

GS3 comes as a Sportback and a four-door, saloon with the same engine options. Both body styles with the petrol engine are £14,999 and the diesels are £16,499 and again, CVT adds £1,000. The easy pricing structure means that the GS4 versions are £2,000 dearer.

The difference between the GS4 over the highly specified GS3 is that the latter has Satellite Navigation, a 30GB music server, iPod and Aux ports, a personal set–up facility covering wipers lights and mirror options amongst other things and an advanced vehicle data system all for £2,000.

The test car housed the 2.0 diesel but this isn’t just any diesel, it’s the proven 140PS 2.0 TDI PD unit from Volkswagen. It has been renamed as the 2.0 Di-D Pump Jet Diesel but it is definitely the same turbo-charged and intercooled unit. Well known for its performance and fuel economy, the Di-D is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. It produces 140PS (103bhp) at 4,000rpm and 310Nm (228lb ft) of torque at just 1,750rpm.

The 0-62mph sprint takes 9.6 seconds and the top speed is 129mph but the fun is getting there, where legal. It can be a little noisy but that’s a small price to pay for the handling and responsive attitude on country lanes and the easy cruising on motorways, with plenty on tap for overtaking.

But noise is just what Mitsubishi should be making, in respect of this car - a lot of it. The company has rebuilt the Lancer from the ground up and created a car for both family use and driving enthusiasts that is well appointed but won’t break the bank compared to some of its rivals. I, for one, am impressed.

Mitsubishi Lancer