FirstDrive/Mitsubishi Lancer:With an impressive new design and a diesel option, the Lancer looks set to bring Mitsubishi back into favour in the European and American markets, writes Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor
After several years of financial turmoil, things are starting to look up for Mitsubishi.
First there is news of rising sales, with first half sales results in Europe up 8 per cent. Then there's the preparations under way for the autumnal arrival of arguably its most important model in years: the new Lancer.
Despite a long and celebrated heritage in engineering, the brand has yet to stake the sort of claim outside Asia of its Japanese counterparts.
Blame must fall with management - both before and during the partnership with DaimlerChrysler. Models developed for Japanese or Asian tastes were expected to sell in Europe and the US without even considering the need to change engine specification. Apart from lacklustre models like the Carisma, the epitome of this ill-judged situation was the introduction of the original Outlander SUV to European markets without a diesel option.
Thankfully things are changing and perhaps the clearest indication is the styling and format of the new Lancer. Due to be formally unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September, the car will go on sale in Ireland in October.
Three formats will eventually be offered: a saloon; a hatchback due next year; and, best of all, a new high-performance Evo version, due for launch at the Tokyo motor show in October.
First up for Irish buyers will be the saloon, which we had the chance to test drive on some German country roads.
Three engines are on offer: a 1.5-litre petrol developing 108bhp; a 1.8-litre 142bhp petrol; and a 2-litre 140bhp diesel.
It's the first time since the late 1980s that the model has been offered with a diesel option.
If Lancer is meant to herald a return to serving the tastes of European and US customers, then the brand is finally set for brighter days. Initial signs are very promising. The model is already on sale in the US, where excessive demand has forced delays in European launches.
The Lancer is based on an architecture developed during the days of DaimlerChrysler ownership, part of a platform development that is set to herald several models for both Mitsubishi and Chrysler.
In terms of exterior styling, the new model has far more presence than its predecessor, with features such as the larger front grille and more defined lighting clusters, giving the car a racier character, closing the gap between the entry models and the glorious Evo performance version. In return, the next generation Evo X is likely to follow the design cues of recent concept models.
In practical terms, the new Lancer offers a proper rear seat bench with adult legroom. Bootspace is impressive and for the driver, the deepset binnacles, taken from the new Outlander, remind you of the likes of Alfa Romeo rather than a typical Japanese saloon car.
That's not surprising, for Mitsubishi wanted to create far more "emotion" with the new Lancer and its benchmark was the recently replaced Alfa Romeo 156.
When you know this, things start to make more sense. For example, the side profile with its lower nose and high-set tail have certain Alfa qualities, as do the cockpit features.
Sadly, however, the Lancer's interior finish is not on a par with what we've come to hope for from Japanese manufacturers of late. It's the single biggest disappointment in an otherwise impressive car.
In terms of performance, we tested the 1.8-litre petrol and 2-litre diesel, both amply powered for the Lancer's frame, if a little large for Irish market conditions. Our main concern would be that a 1.5-litre engine will struggle to pull this metal along at ample speed. In terms of ride and handling, the Lancer is as comfortable as one would expect, if a little skittish on undulating country roads, but the car still corners well and the steering is not as docile and anaesthetised as we have come to expect from some of its Japanese rivals.
With prices likely to start around €21,000, Irish buyers will be won over by the design and spaciousness of the saloon version. There may be room for Lancer to even manage a few conquest sales from higher-placed rivals.
The most impressive feature of this upcoming generation is that Lancer is no longer about extremes. Where the previous version offered outlandish Evos and incredibly bland entry-level versions, the gap has closed between the two, and that is only to their benefit.
Where once you couldn't really see yourself in either, now you could realistically consider both.
Factfile
ENGINES:1.5-litre DOHC 16v MIVEC: 1,499cc; 108bhp; Max speed - 191km/h; 6.4 L/100km; CO2 153 g/km
1.8L DOHC 16v MIVEC: 1798cc; 144bhp; Max speed - 200km/h; 7.7 L/100km; CO2 183 g/km
2.0L DOHC 16v diesel: 1968cc; 138bhp; Max speed - 207km/h; 5.9 L/100km; CO2 157 g/km
PRICES:Unconfirmed but expect to start at about €20,000 for 1.5-litre saloon
EXPECTED SALES:1,500 in 2008 with the saloon version to account for 90 per cent
ON SALE:October in Ireland