MOTORNETNEWS  ROAD  TEST  -  MARCH  2008

MITSUBISHI  LANCER  ES  SEDAN

The new ES Lancer is wider and longer than the model; it replaces and this means more interior room, a steadier stance and a better ride. The styling is very smart, the perky engine gives very good economy and the slick gearbox is a joy to use. It is well equipped but a bit noisy but still great value for money.

OUTSIDE:

From any angle the new Lancer is quite an attractive small car with clean, uncluttered lines. The frontal treatment is plain and  modern with a mesh grille across the leading edge of the bonnet and the projector headlights cutting back into the front guards. There is a wide mesh air intake under the grille with nacelles at each side. The five spoke alloy wheels fill the flared guards nicely. Along the sides there is an indented sculpting between the crease line just below the door handle line down to the sills. 

Mirrors and door handles are body-coloured. There is quite a large glasshouse - the area taken up by the windows. Both bumpers look as though they would do a good job protecting the bodywork and lights. The tail lights wrap partly around the rear guards providing visibility from the sides.

The engine bonnet is quite heavy to lift as there are no gas struts to assist. The engine layout is reasonable but there are still too many visible pipes and hoses. The vehicle identification plate is attached top the bonnet and, unfortunately, this is the first body panel replaced in a nose to tail accident so it's quite likely that the ID plate would disappear making future ownership proof a problem.

INSIDE:

The interior is surprisingly roomy with plenty of space for four adults or two with up top three small children. The head and leg room is very generous in both the front and rear seats. The trim is a nicely patterned cloth with a light grey roof lining to add to the airy ambience. The plastics used for the dash and other areas feels quite hard. here are matt silver trim pieces running across the dash from the front doors to break up the expanse of dark plastic. 

The layout of the controls is logical, neat and simple. The optional cruise controls are on the 3-spoke steering wheel that has height but no reach adjustment. Ahead of the wheel is a deep hood over the two large dials with an information display between them. The trip computer is standard as is air-conditioning The front seats are comfortable with reasonable side support. The driver's seat has height adjustment as do both front seat belts. 

The Lancer is well fixed for storage areas with four large door pockets that will hold a bottle, a centre armrest bin, four cupholders, a glove box and a couple of smaller areas for small items. The rear seats have a drop down armrest. Both sun visors have a covered vanity mirror and there are pockets in the backs of the front seats.

LUGGAGE AREA:

The luggage area is quite roomy for a small car and has a low loading height. The area is almost fully trimmed except for an area under the rear parcel shelf where some naked screws could do some damage to luggage. The rather cheap floor covers a temporary spare wheel and tyre, there are no tie-down lugs and no recess under the lid for ease of closing.  The rear seats split fold to increase cargo space if bulky items are to be carried.

ON THE ROAD:

The lively 2.4-litre, 113kW engine is coupled to an excellent five-speed manual gearbox. This combination makes the Lancer quite delightful to drive and the light but positive clutch makes it even more so! The motor is quiet and very economical. The average fuel usage for a week of urban and some freeway driving was a low 8.6 litres per 100km. best was 7.5 on the freeway and worst was 9.5 in urban traffic conditions.

The imported tyres on the Lancer were very noisy and there was some wind noise at times. The car handles well and seems to have plenty of grip on the road. It is fitted with stability control as standard - a big plus for a family car.

PRICE:            $20,990 plus on road costs - 5-speed manual. (Auto $2300 extra)

STANDARD:   Dual front airbags; ABS brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist System; air-conditioning; Auto Stability Control;  central remote locking; engine immobiliser; power mirrors, steering & windows; 4-speaker radio/CD, front seat belt pre-tensioners; trip computer and Traction Control System.

OPTIONS:        Cruise control; side/head airbags $1500.