10:30am Thursday 24th December 2009
By Steve Nelson
FOR those looking for motoring thrills, the aggressive Mitsubishi Lancer Evo has always had kind of performance figures and technology to attract an admiring crowd.
But somewhere underneath its outrageous whistles-and-bells persona lies an impressive work-a-day base.
And that has led to Mitsubishi creating a family saloon, built on the same platform as the Evo, that will raise eyebrows rather than blood pressure.
The Lancer 1.5 SE, the new entry-level model in the four-door range (a five-door Sportback hatch was introduced in 2008), boasts an impressive level of standard specification: metallic paint, 16-inch alloys, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags, Bluetooth, air conditioning, front fogs, steering wheel audio and Bluetooth controls and iPod connectivity to name but a few.
Then there is the price. At £12,499, you get an awful lot of car for your money.
It’s also quite dapper. The so-called jet-fighter styling of the front end is a sharp piece of design that might cause the driver in front to make a double-take in the rear view mirror. But no, this is not an Evo.
With a manual transmission and Mitsubishi’s gutsy, throaty 1.5-litre petrol engine, the car goes from 0 to 62mph in 11.6 seconds. This is steady progress, ample acceleration for the needs of most drivers.
The Lancer 1.5 SE could prove even more of a bargain depending on where in the market you choose to position it. The Lancer has always been a tricky model to place. In Sportback form, it’s a spacious rival to C-segment hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.
In Evo X saloon form, its closest competitors are high performance D-segment models such as the Volkswagen Passat R36 or Vauxhall Insignia VXR. In standard saloon form it sits somewhere in between the C and D-segments, roomier and more formal than an average family hatchback, smaller and more affordable than a typical D-segment saloon.
It’s a niche model, but only because the UK car market is traditionally drawn along steadfast lines. Saloon variants of popular hatchbacks are a much rarer sight than in Europe. The new Chevrolet Cruze probably makes for the closest comparison.
The Lancer’s angular design is arguably better suited to a saloon form than a hatchback one. Without the spoilers, low slung body kit and additional vents of the high performance models, it displays neat core styling.
It’s easy to see where the money has been saved in order to offer a C and D-segment hybrid for a B-segment price, though. Despite the comfortable seats, gadgets and leather additions, some of the interior plastics are of mediocre quality. Build quality is high, however. The doors shut with a healthy thud, and in the driver’s seat there is a pleasing simplicity about the dashboard layout.
The Lancer responds very well to more enthusiastic driving, with a sometimes grumbling engine note rising to a pleasing “thrum”.
There’s also a definite element of the of the Evo X models’ surefooted agility in the way it holds the road at speed and, although light, the steering is surprisingly responsive and communicative.
There’s a sporty feel to the gear change, too. Its short throw, direct and punchy when getting a move on.
The ride is very good, however, treading a careful line between responsive firmness and comfort.
A great value-for-money entry level proposition, the Lancer SE is well equipped and easy to live with. It’s a niche model that can’t compete on every level, but both C and D-segment drivers will not have to look hard to find admirable qualities.
It comes with 12,500-mile service intervals, a three-year unlimited mileage warranty and pan-European roadside assistance. And for an additional £275 customers can buy a Mitsubishi Service Plan covering the vehicle’s first three scheduled services.
Price: £12,848.
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol unit developing 107bhp and 105lb/ft of torque.
Transmission: Five-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels.
Performance : Maximum speed 119mph, 0-62mph 11.6 seconds.
Economy: 44.1mpg combined.
CO2 Rating: 153g/km.
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