New Mitsubishi Lancer

The Mitsubishi brand, known for its excellent transmission and rally performance, tied up with the CK Birla Group Company -- Hindustan Motors -- to sell their 'hot cake' Lancer in India. The rally-proven engine technology is still the choice of many. Its tried-and-tested safety and transmission mechanisms have proved that Mitsubishi is a performer in its class. Inheriting its characteristics from the four world rally championship titles, the Lancer is everything that you always wanted your car to be.

The Lancer rolls out a 1.5 LXi BS 3 petrol and 2.0L Diesel LX BS 3 diesel variants. With its inspiring 5-speed manual gearbox sporting calibrated gear ratios and superior shift feel, Lancer offers unmatched drivability. Mitsubishi follows a unique price philosophy, "One country, one price." Pricing for all its variants is uniform across the country. Available in five hues namely Black Onyx, Simply Red, Liquid Green, Warm Silver and Scotia White, the Lancer is competitively priced. Able competitors for the Lancer are Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent and Tata Indigo.

The car is powered by a heady 1.5-litre petrol engine that returns 86 bhp at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 132.3 Nm at 3,300 rpm. The car comes mated to an excellent 5-speed manual transmission. The gear ratio is tall and storms the vehicle in no time. This 1,468cc petrol engine is not only powerful and robust, but extremely smooth as well. It is an ideal mate for city drives and long cruises.

The 2.0-litre naturally aspirated diesel engine returns a decent 67 bhp and only 122.5 Nm of torque, but performs exceptionally well on road. Coupled with a tall gearbox, this diesel engine is easy to drive in the stop-and-go city traffic. It is also as silent as a petrol car, using the 'Super Silent Shaft Technology.'

The exhaust tone is convincingly churned out by the punchy gearbox. The car is well-balanced with its subtle suspension system (McPherson Strut with coil spring, gas-filled shock absorbers and stabilizer bar), which is a class by itself. The car does not lean much during tight cornering.

The sedan-racer looks of the Lancer are enhanced by the rear bumper that features a diffuser undersurface in a distinctive design, and corners that are shaped to stabilise air flow detachment and reduce drag. An integral molding features the new front bumper that houses an oversize multi-slatted grille to raise engine cooling efficiency. Unwanted openings on the undersurface of the bumper have been closed off to reduce air resistance. Lancer's sharp lines and rolling curves set it in a class apart. In the exterior, a flowing symmetry noticeably balanced with geometric accents makes it an attention grabber.

The elegant grace of the interior invites you to step inside. The tilt adjustable power steering, electrically adjustable outside mirrors and the driver door mounted controls provide comfort to the driver.