August 14th, 2003
Global
styling dresses up new Lancer
Mitsubishi’s newly released CH Lancer range has
adopted the same external `global styling’ changes recently introduced
with the heavily revised Magna and Verada range. The frontal appearance is distinctive. Its swoopy
bonnet has its trademark lines at its outer edges and a central raised
section which leads directly to the point of the prominent, large chrome
three diamonds symbol in the middle of the divided grille.
New, larger triangular headlamp assemblies with
amber turning indicators complement the frontal styling treatment. ES,
LS and Exceed have bright backgrounds, while the sporty VR-X has a black
background that gives the lamps a more prominent and rakish look. The front bumpers are also a new design. LS, VR-X
and Exceed have a larger front bumper than ES. The VR-X bumper
incorporates projector style fog lamps which replace the reflector type
previously used. ES and LS share a new design full-size wheel
trim, while VR-X gets a new design, aggressive looking 16” alloy rim.
The Exceed alloy carries over.
At the rear a new decklid with a smoother line
and slight rear trailing edge lip, now incorporates the numberplate
garnish (it was previously in the rear bumper). The large “Lancer”
badge that was previously across the rear of the boot has been replaced
by a more discreet badge in the bottom left hand corner, while the three
diamonds symbol is now larger, chrome, and centrally placed near the top
edge of the deck lid. The all-new rear bumper is slightly larger on LS,
VR-X and Exceed, and standard size on ES. The tail lamp assemblies are
also new, and VR-X gets a clear lens assembly to enhance its sporty
image, along with a new shape rear deck spoiler that incorporates the
high mounted stop lamp. The radio antenna is now a bee-sting version,
centrally mounted at the rear of the roof. Inside, the mainstream models have two-tone
interiors – ES and LS have black and grey colour combinations while
Exceed has black and beige. VR-X has a full black interior. All models
have new interior trim materials. VR-X has dark titanium accent panels on the
heater control and shift lever panels, while the instrument centre panel
has a carbon print look. A chrome shift boot ring has been added to the
manual version. The parking brake release button has chrome accents, and
the lever is leather-wrapped, as is the gearshift lever and four-spoke
steering wheel. Automatic versions of VR-X have a unique Evo-style
three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with “Steer Matic”
gearshift controls (as used in the Lancer Evolution GT-A). The floor console on VR-X now comes with a lid
(it was previously open), and the windshield wipers now have a variable
speed operation.
A rear centre lap-sash seat belt is now standard
on all models, while the audio system is an AM/FM tuner with single CD
player and four speakers (two front, two rear). Power is still provided by Lancer’s trusty 2.0
litre 16-valve SOHC MPI four-cylinder engine that is Euro Step 2
compatible. Maximum power is 92kW, developed at 5500 rpm,
while maximum torque of 173Nm is developed at 4250 rpm. The engine is mated to an improved five-speed
manual transmission or Mitsubishi’s acclaimed four-speed INVECS II
intelligent automatic transmission (on VR-X the four-speed auto is the
‘Sports Mode’ sequential automatic transmission).
VR-X has a 15mm rear stabiliser bar to further
enhance its already responsive and linear handling, as well as lowered
sports suspension and a sporty red front tower strut brace fitted as
standard equipment. There are three new colours, while others have
been renamed. The palette is now Cool Silver Metallic (new colour,
replaces Satellite Silver), Wine Red Metallic, Deep Blue Mica (new
colour, replaces Nares Blue), White Solid, Black Mica, Yellow Solid (new
colour, replaces Foresta Green). Although prices have not been finalised at this
time, they are expected to remain largely the same as the current model.
|
Twin
nostrils of the upper grille contain black diagonal lines – narrow in
the ES, LS and Exceed, and wider, bolder and more aggressive in the
VR-X. The grille surround is black in ES and VR-X, and chrome in LS and
Exceed. 
Exceed,
pictured right, has a light titanium heater control and shift
lever panel and bright chrome inner door handles to give it a luxurious
look which sets it apart from everyday cars. 
Power
is put to the ground through the front MacPherson strut suspension,
while the rear suspension is a trailing arm-type multi-link arrangement.
