All-new Lancer debuts at Detroit

Mitsubishi's new volume-selling world model, the latest generation Lancer, was unveiled yesterday -- the star of the triple diamond brand's Detroit show presence.

For the US market the all-new Lancer range comprises three levels of trim and driving dynamics: DE, ES (pictured) and the range-topping GTS. The latter (also pictured) features Evo-style bodywork complete with front and rear spoilers and seriously proportioned 10-spoke 18-inch alloys.

Despite the GTS' rally stage looks, however, all US model Lancers are powered by a new 2.0-litre DOHC MIVEC inline four with around 112kW/195Nm. Gearbox choices are a new six-step CVT (as featured in the Outlander and equipped with steering-wheel paddles in the GTS) and a conventional five-speed manual.

As regular car watchers will already know, the new Lancer (and the upcoming Lancer Evolution X which it will spawn) is built on the new "performance-engineered global platform" that debuted under the latest Mitsubishi Outlander and also underpins Dodge's Caliber world car.

A conventional front-wheel drive, the new car is defined (at least in the USA) by Mitsubishi's concept of "class up". To this end, the Lancer is considerably larger than the car it replaces. Indeed, local Mitsuibishi Oz sources have described the new car's interior space as "not a lot smaller than the 380." 

Wheelbase and length is up around 35mm from the previous generation with track claimed to be almost 60mm wider front and rear. Overall width has been boosted by almost 70mm. No wonder the end result looks seriously planted!

Lancer's unibody structure makes extensive use of high-strength steel, says Mitsubishi USA. It's claimed that compared to the previous-generation Lancer, torsional rigidity has been increased by 56 per cent with bending rigidity up by 50 per cent. Both measurements better the specially reinforced shell of the current Lancer Evolution IX, says the carmaker.

Safety is a strong point, the maker claims. Again in US-spec the Lancer's comprehensive safety package provides seven standard airbags, including the first driver's knee airbag offered in a Mitsubishi model. All US-market Lancer models will feature a tyre pressure monitoring system and ABS is standard on the top two tiers of the range.

Front suspension is conventional strut with the rear a derivative of the new multi-link rear suspension that underpins the Outlander. Claims Mitsubishi, suspension calibrations on the US model have been refined "to deliver an international driving character more commonly found in expensive European sport sedans."

Mitsubishi is serious in delivering extra chassis performance via its GTS model. The derivative features bespoke damper and spring rates, uprated anti-roll bars and the bigger brakes. Sourced from the Outlander, they are substantial 294mm vented discs up front with solid 302mm rotors at the rear.

On the convenience front, the top-of-the-range US Lancer model will also be exclusively available with an optional Navigation and Technology Package which combines a 30-gigabyte hard disc drive navigation system with digital music server function, Mitsubishi Multi-Communication System and FAST Key (Freehand Advanced Security Transmitter) keyless entry.

Details of local powerplants, running gear and specification and trim levels have not yet been released. That said, when they arrive locally in the second half of 2007 it's likely Aussie Lancers will follow the overall theme of the US range but also offer a variant of the 125kW/226Nm 2.4-litre MIVEC four-cylinder mill that debuted in the latest Outlander.

There's every chance too, that our standard Lancer range will stretch to a sub-Evo turbocharged Ralliart variant. And with Mitsubishi announcing it will offer its own in-house high-tech direct-injected turbodiesel powerplant across the US market in Lancer by 2010, don't bet against that version arriving Down Under -- perhaps sooner.

Though details on the range-topping Lancer Evolution X are still scarce, Mitsubishi has confirmed the new model will offer the choice of a conventional wide-ratio five-speed manual transmission or (later) a new paddle-shift automated manual.

It will also be the most powerful Evo ever, boasting a still-to-be fettled turbocharged version of the new all-aluminum, 20kg-lighter, 4B11 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC engine used in the US-spec 2008 Lancer.