MY13 Mitsubishi Lancer launched

Mitsubishi has landed a rejuvenated 2013 model year Lancer line-up in Australia, bringing a lower sub-$20,000 entry price, a new LX model variant and upgrades across the range.

Available nationwide from September 1, the MY13 Lancer sedan and hatch range opens at $19,990 plus on-road costs for the base ES five-speed manual (down from $21,690) and $22,240 for the CVT auto version.

The new LX is based on the ES and effectively replaces the $26,390 VR, priced at $23,990 (manual) and $26,240 (CVT), while the VRX now costs $29,990 as a manual (down from $30,990) and $32,240 in CVT form.

The $34,690 Aspire CVT sedan disappears, but unchanged at $44,490 is the Lancer Ralliart TC-SST dual-clutch auto sedan and hatch.

Additions for the MY13 ES range-opener include Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity with voice activation and audio streaming, a leather-clad steering wheel with audio and phone controls and a new audio system, while the CVT version gains Hill Start Assist.

In addition to this, the new-for-MY13 Lancer LX – which is also powered by a 2.0-litre MIVEC four-cylinder petrol engine - offers 16-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and starting, side air-dams, chromed highlights on the radiator grille, door-handles, belt line moulding and, for sedan models, bootlid.

Inside, the LX offers leather seat trim, heated front seats, a powered driver’s seat, gloss black trim, climate-control air-conditioning, steering wheel audio and phone controls, and a new 6.1-inch colour display audio system.

The 2.4-litre VRX and 2.0-litre turbocharged Ralliart models score all of the above, plus a new Rockford Fosgate 6.1-inch colour display audio system with four speakers, four tweeters and a subwoofer.

Standard range-wide safety features continue to include stability/traction control, seven airbags (including twin front, front-side, side curtain and driver’s knee airbags), ABS brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist.

Sapphire joins the existing exterior paint colours of White, Cool Silver, Warm Silver, Black, Red and Titanium.

MY13 Lancer options include an ES Safety Pack ($995) comprising the new 6.1-inch colour display audio system with AM/FM/CD player, iPod connectivity, reversing camera interface and rear parking sensors and the VRX MMCS Pack ($1895), which the new Mitsubishi Multi Communication System with seven-inch colour touch-screen, iPod connectivity and voice-activated Bluetooth and navigation control.

The same MMCS system is available for the Lancer Ralliart as part of a Luxury Pack that costs $3895 and also includes leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, a powered driver’s seat and HID headlights.

Mitsubishi Lancer sales are down more than 17 per cent so far this year with 9400 sold, accounting for 6.8 per cent of a small-car segment that is led by the Mazda3, followed by the Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze, Hyundai i30, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

“With the 2013 updated Lancer range, Mitsubishi Motors continues to offer a Lancer model to suit every lifestyle and budget,” said Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited CEO, Mutsuhiro Oshikiri.

“The introduction of the Lancer LX offers customers an attractive and economically priced vehicle with high quality safety and a long list of features.”

MY13 Mitsubishi Lancer pricing:
ES manual - $19,990
ES CVT - $22,240
LX manual - $23,990
LX CVT - $26,240
VRX manual - $29,990
VRX CVT - $32,240
Ralliart TC-SST - $44,490

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