Mitsubishi Lancer 2003 Review

What we liked
>> New bold styling
>> Roomy cabin
>> Tight precise manual gearshift

Not so much
>> Engine feels lacking in power
>> Steering lacks feel
>> Interior is bland

OVERVIEW
So you might be asking why, just 12 months later, the company is launching yet another new Lancer. It's all about style, and a style that is being dictated by Mitsubishi's head of global design, Olivier Boulay. The Frenchman has a hand in everything these days and is determined to ensure that Mitsubishi's styling is consistent across the company's full range of products. The first evidence of the new global styling theme came with the Outlander 4WD while the TL Magna launched in mid-2003 followed suit.

Lancer sedan is the third model to feature the bolder, sharper front and rear with the big three-diamond badge prominent on the nose. As far as the popular Lancer Coupe goes, it remains in its pre-2002 guise and will not be replaced until at least the end of next year. Mitsubishi Australia has secured enough stock of the 1.8 GLi and MR models to last until the end of this year but after that, if you are in the market for a Lancer, it will be a sedan only. There will be a small hatch when the all-new five-door Colt arrives early next year to replace the Mirage and it is likely that the Lancer Coupe replacement will share Colt's mechanicals.

FEATURES
The biggest feature of the new CH Lancer is undoubtedly the styling. It is designed to be distinctive like most of the new generations of cars penned under the direction of Boulay, and with that comes polarisation of opinion. But where we are still unsure about the new theme on the Magna, on Lancer it definitely works - especially in the brighter colours - and has transformed what was a seriously bland looking car into something that actually has a presence on the road. The new lineup runs to four models from the entry level ES and mid range LS, to the sporty VR-X and the flagship Exceed. All are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission with the VR-X also getting a 'Sports Mode' sequential shift function. At the time of writing in August 2003, pricing had yet to be finalised but was expected to be similar to the previous car ranging from about $20,000 to $29,000.

COMFORT
The bigger body introduced in the previous CG Lancer model offered greater interior room; its cabin space one of the best in class. The front seats are comfy and supportive and even with a full size driver in position, there is still room in the back for an adult for a decent trip although the bench might get hard over time. Standard equipment for comfort and convenience runs to air conditioning, remote central locking, a four-speaker radio CD player and power windows and mirrors.

SAFETY
The newly designed body is not only about show. Added strength and further stiffening improve handling and crash performance. The Lancer uses Mitsubishi's RISE (Realised Impact Safety Evolution) body with an energy absorbing front section and strong rigid passenger cell. Inside, passive safety is catered for by dual front airbags and all five seatbelts are now three-point lap sash type with pretensioners. The Lancer remains one of the few cars in the class to still use drum brakes on the rear - only the VR-X gets discs all round - with ABS with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) available as a $1000 option on all cars except Exceed where it is standard fitment.

MECHANICAL
Despite the bigger 2.0-litre engine replacing the 1.8 when the CG was launched last year, it only offers similar levels of power as its 1.8-litre rivals. Maximum outputs are 92kW at 5500rpm with a peak torque of 173Nm at 4250rpm. The four-cylinder engine is an older unit and uses only a single camshaft, but it did receive some minor modifications to ensure it meets the Euro 2 emission regulations that come into force here from next year. Standard transmission is a smooth shifting five-speed manual with a four-speed auto option. The VR-X's tiptronic auto allows sequential shifts via the gear lever or buttons mounted on the steering wheel.

Suspension has has had some very mild retuning for the introduction of the facelifted model. It is the same setup across the range except for the VR-X, which uses an additional rear stabilizer bar and is lowered by 15mm for sportier handling. Wheel and tyre sizes remain unchanged with the ES, LS and Exceed all running on 14-inchers - the latter on fussy alloys. Only the VR-X gets a bigger set with 195/50 rubber wrapped around a 16-inch alloy rim. All spares are now full sized wheels.

COMPETITORS
The small $20,000-plus sedan market is a busy one with no less than eight makers vying for the customer's attention. Apart from the lone Korean - Hyundai's Elantra sedan - the rest are either of Japanese or European origin despite the brand names. Lining up for the Euros are Holden's Astra and Ford Focus while the Japanese are represented by the Honda Civic, Nissan Pulsar, Mazda 323 and Toyota Corolla. Subaru's Impreza used to be in there too but with a starting price of $26,000 it doesn't offer the same sort of budget entry. If it's chassis dynamics that appeal, then the Astra, Focus and 323 are ahead of the rest. On the engine front, the Corolla offers the most power, and the Pulsar is one of the best investments for resale value.

ON THE ROAD
The new face of Lancer certainly gives the impression that this is a car to be enjoyed, but once you get behind the wheel, it is a case of the same old story. It's competent on-road, has dependable, predictable handling and a comfortable enough ride, but it's not a car that sets the senses alight. The engine is quiet and on paper a near match for its rivals, but with the Lancer carrying 100kg more than most of the competition, it does sometimes lack for performance.

We drove the VR-X in manual and auto at launch and the latter struggled up some steep hills. The engine's strength is in mid-range, so the manual is best for keeping the engine on the boil. The VR-X's firmer suspension makes it a predictable and solid car to punt along a winding road, though it lacks the precision of its European rivals. Overall, the Lancer feels tight and well built, and the new look is visually dynamic. Inspiring to look at, not that inspiring to drive. Is that enough for you?