2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Aspire
September 17, 2008 by David Twomey
Mitsubishi has given Australian drivers moving out of petrol-hungry ‘big-six’ sedans something to aspire to, a more powerful, more luxurious version of its big-selling Lancer called, the Aspire.
-David Twomey
Announcing the new model today, Mitsubishi said the new Lancer Aspire was designed to widen the appeal of the Lancer range, which includes three well-equipped sedans and the giant-killing Lancer Evolution performance sedan, and bring a fresh level of prestige and performance to the small-car segment.
Mitsubishi isn’t just targeting the Large Car segment buyers who are moving into something more compact, they are also pitching the Lancer Aspire at the medium segment, pointing out that on performance and size, the Lancer is close to a lot of medium size cars, such as the Mazda6, Honda Accord Euro and Ford Mondeo.
Mitsubishi’s passenger vehicle product planning manager, Chris Maxted, said a new 2.4-litre engine, generating 125kW of power at 6000 rpm and 226Nm of torque at 4100 rpm, meant the Lancer Aspire provided the perfect solution to drivers downsizing from larger, less fuel efficient vehicles – especially those who wanted to maintain high levels of spirited driving performance without breaking the bank when refuelling.
Mr Maxted, said the Lancer Aspire 2.4-litre sedan represented a real opportunity for the company in the still-increasing small-car segment.
“We have found that up to 32 per cent of our new Lancer customers are coming to us from both mid- and large-sized passenger vehicles,” Mr Maxted said.
“While they don’t wish to give up the luxuries of a richly appointed cabin or an energetic engine response, they do recognise the need to conserve their resources – and that’s where the Lancer Aspire 2.4-litre sedan is a perfect match.”
The new 2.4-litre engine also powers the Outlander and comes from the same ‘4B’ family as the 2.0-litre engine in the existing Lancer range.
Mr Maxted told CarAdvice this meant it was not difficult to gain approval from Mitsubishi in Japan for the Australia-only Aspire, and he added that the Aspire name was chosen at Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited’s headquarters in Adelaide, but had some Mitsubishi history to it.
To develop the new Aspire MMAL has taken to 2009 Lancer VRX, removed the rear spoiler and alloy pedals, added unique chrome highlights to the grille surround, beltline and bootlid, blacked-out tail light bezels and HID headlights with adaptive cornering facility.
On the inside, the Aspire is fitted with woodgrain and leather trim, lidded bins for the centre console and a Rockford Fosgate six-disc CD audio system with a 10-inch subwoofer in the boot.
For a limited time, Mitsubishi is offering the new car with its new, Mitsubishi Multi Communication System (MMCS) information/entertainment system free of charge, normally a $2400 option – or a $4000 packaged with a sunroof.
MMCS provides satellite navigation, mobile phone control, iPod integration and audio system control through a large touch screen in the centre fascia.
The Lancer Aspire’s standard specifications include a host of safety and comfort features such as Automatic Traction & Stability Control, ABS brakes with EBD, seven SRS airbags, rain sensing wipers and dusk sensing headlamps, “Smart” key entry, climate controlled air-conditioning, electric windows, Bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters for the standard Continuously Variable Transmission.
Mr Maxted said Mitsubishi had introduced the Lancer Aspire to conquest buyers currently fleeing the Large Car segment, many of whom were private customers, although he indicated that increasingly the company expected to see company and lease buyers also joining these ranks.
He told CarAdvice that many of these buyers wanted a level of luxury and equipment that they were used to in a large car, plus good performance, while seeking reduced fuel consumption. Mitsubishi quotes the car as having an official ADR Combined Cycle fuel consumption of 8.5-litres/100km.
He said Lancer Aspire was aimed at meeting these requirements and added that as a bonus the Lancer Aspire had a better power-to-weight ratio than the major Medium Car contenders, Ford Mondeo Zetec, Honda Accord Euro, Mazda6 and Toyota Camry.
Priced at $33,990, the Lancer Aspire compares favourably with similarly priced variants of those cars in every way, except physical size.
However, according to Mitsubishi, the Lancer currently approaches the dimensions of the first generation Mitsubishi Magna.
Mitsubishi was careful to describe the Lancer Aspire as a ‘premium’ model not a luxury model as it rides on the 18-inch alloy wheels and suspension from the more sporting VRX and as such the company does not consider it will provide a driving experience to warrant a “luxury” tag.
The Aspire will also only be available as a sedan, as Mitsubishi believes the buyers will be more conservative and therefore different from those who will be attracted to the Lancer Sportback which is due to be released in the next two months.
The Lancer Aspire will be available in a number of colours from the Lancer line-up palette, including Cool Silver, Effect Grey, Red Metallic, White Solid, Black Mica and Champagne and comes with Mitsubishi’s five year/130,000 whole vehicle warranty, backed up by its 10 year/160,000 km powertrain warranty and a five year/unlimited km roadside assistance package.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Aspire will be available in showrooms from September 22 and CarAdvice will bring you driving impressions of the car just as soon as we can road test one.
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Tom Says:
September 18th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I stock looking lancer with a 4 cylinder engine does not make a large car competitor.
Especially for the money, absurd
How can it cost more money to build the 2.4? Just because its bigger doesn’t mean its necessarily more expensive.
And that money is getting very close to what the Ralliart should cost.
Not to mention mitsubishi is making out as if this is some sort of new model, when no one in the public is going to notice the difference.
Tom, what do you think the mitsubishi magna was (first and second generations(86-95)… a 4 banger the size (almost of the 6s of the time. also in that article its mentioned that the latest lancer is almost the size of those early magnas (which btw sold fairly well). You must have noticed this gradual size increase in the lancer range- i know i have. It seems like every yera the lancer gets slightly bigger. And honestly my mother just bought a car- tested honda accord, mazda 3 and 6, and the liberty(unsure on which year for the liberty was second hand) and ended up choosing the vrx lancer as she though it looked the nicest.
I’M THERE.
I’LL HAVE 1. Get rid of this Ford RUBBISH i currently own.
Standard equipment far out weighs its competors.
HID headlight with adaptive corning.
Effiecent 2.4l
CVT 6speed.
Rockford Stero with 10″ sub in boot
MMCS
SUNROOF
Reversing camera
Leather
Parking sensors
Drive away $35000. after heavy pushing the dealer.
THANKS
oh and i forgot
7 airbags
5 star NCAP rating
5yr / 130000km warranty
5yr ROADSIDE ASSIST
10yr powertrain
Beats others BASIC 3yr warranty.
wrote off the es 2006 lancer last week,it had, mitsa body kit, lowered, 17inch wheels, 2.4, we loved that car, using the gears manually is pure fun. probably give the aspire a miss, but seriously considering the 2.4 vrx.
i’ve driven heaps of small hire cars and nothing has come near the mitsa, i hope this 2.4 is ok
Just bought one. A good step down from my SV6 and I might add – better equipped. Yep a bit noisy at low speed but heaps of kit and for those quoting cheaper/better other japanese cars. the new accord is underpowered and doesn’t sit on 18″ alloys, The mondeo handles like a wet sponge. The lancer goes where it is pointed and looks great not a clone japanese design.
I bourght a Lancer Olympic in July and im very happy with it It has all the option and i got a spoiler with it. I purchased it for 33k inc on road cost and $1000 free fuel. Mazda, honda, did not have these features at that price. when you use paddle shift the car is very responsive which would leave some six cyl cars for dead but fuel goes down. i made from melb to adelaide on one tank (approx 52 lt). alittle bumpy ride due to 18inch wheels but handle road excellent.
I picked up a secondhand Lancer Olympic a month ago. I’m super happy. The car is great, especially the sat nav/ audio system. Love the leather seats as well!! I agree with you Joey on value. Friends purchased a new mazda 3 maxx, paid the same as I did (about $28) I must admit that I picked up the bargain of the century considering my car set the first owner back $32,990 + on roads (ouch) That said, their car has no stability control standard, no climate control, no leather sports seats, 16″ wheels (18s on mine), 4 speed auto v 6speed CVT on mine, basic 4 speaker audio, 9 speaker $650w Rockford in mine, oh and did I mention the satnav which incorporates an excellent blue tooth system. Keyless entry etc etc. I’m not Mazda bashing here, the 3 is an excellent car. My point is that the I got a LOT more car for the money, It also looks much better.
I dont know why people give bad comments on the lancer aspire when you dont drive one. I own one and i tell you it is a bloody good car. It handles corner pretty well, the CVT is so responsive, the extra features are the best. i absolutely have no problem with the price. $34500 driveaway plus mats, tinted front windows, how about that? It is just the matter of negociate with your local dealer. Definately, the best value compare to maz6 and accord.
i think is a nice looking car with lots of features ! i actually own one in black i think that if you are thinking on buying one black is the color to have. When it comes to price i think is not so bad, keep in mind that it has a 10 year warranty and 5 year road side assistance lets not forget that…..there is only a couple of problems with this car..it does not come with xtra lights for when opening back doors and the second problem is that it does not have a lock switch to look all the doors on the drivers door while sitting in the car..but i still think is a nice car for the money!!!
I just boght the aspire drive away at 32K and I test drove everything and it was simply the best ….yes was with sat nav and I test drove the mazda sp25 it was slightly better but u cant get that for less than 36K so will kepp the 4K in my poket
I own a VR Lancer and could not be happier. It’s actually quite comparable to the Camry Sportivo that my father owned, and no one had a problem paying $30k-plus for those. And honestly it’s a better car for less money with more kit.
IMO the new Lancer range is better than it’s competitors at every price point. ES is better than Mazda3 Neo, VRX is better than SP25, Ralliart is better than WRX and EVO is better than STi.
The Aspire model is a more difficult proposition, mainly because ‘cheap luxury’ is not something I think makes sense, but the Aspire is still much better than a leather-clad Sonata or Nissan Maxima. I don’t think you can really compare the Aspire to a base model Mazda6, but I also don’t know what you would gain by choosing the base 6 anyway.
Anyone who has actually driven the CJ Lancer will tell you that it is a very good car. The Mitsu bashers here probably don’t have licences I reckon.
I am going to buy base model Lancer (ES) with side/curtain air bag and then it wil be 5 start safety car. Go to the http://www.ancap.com.au and compare the car safety. Lancer will leave Honda and Mazda much behind in safety scores. There is not a car in this segment stronger than Lancer. Check yourself.
Ravith,
The subaru Impreza is safer than the Lancer
Also the Fiesta and Mazda2 are safer.
The focus lags by .1 out of 37.
Also, I dont believe they have tested the new Mazda3
Am a proud owner of ASPIRE.I brought it for 31500 driveaway. no one can beat it with its features vs price. 18′ alloy, leather trim, sat nav,rockford premium audio,HID headlamps, rain sensors,corner lighting,sports seats,paddle shifters,bluetooth with CID ,Multi information display, 5 year road side assist,10 year power train warranty.
My husband and I bought the Lancer Aspire in January this year and we’ve never looked back. We bought it in red and have received so many positive comments…not only about the colour but also what it came with. It was so amazing and truly great to drive.
My only whinge is the steering is so light that if there are any imperfections in the road, you can really feel it in the steering. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. We said if we could afford another one in black, we would have the ‘his’ and ‘hers’!
We were disappointed that with this 2009 model as we were given an outdated GPS database cd. How can you sell a new model with an old version and we waited to see when and if we were going to get a current copy only to be told we would have to pay for it. That put a damper on it.
I would recommend this beaut car to anyone who really wants value for money!
I own a 2008 Lancer VR and find the road noise terrible. How is it for you?
I drive 2008 lancer ES, i find the road noise terrible as well however when the windows are all closed its not bad.
A friend who is a mechanic working at NRMA said that my car dealer ended up giving me cheap tyres when I upgraded to 17inches, otherthan a bit of noise i dont have any issues with the car, i only did 18k in 18 months and i am planning to change my tyres once i hit 25k.
Its a great car and what makes it even better car is the warranty and price tag, no comparison with Mazda 3 and Honda civic, and no offense to them but they are behind with three points – warranty, price and features.
Definitely recommended.
Have a 08 Lancer Olympic and it’s a great car!!! I do agree with Deco’s comments, Lancers (esp. any model with 18s) are a bit noisy and I don’t like the tram-lining I feel through the wheel. That said, there isn’t much about that can match our car for value, warranty and kit. They also look geat (not the hatch though, that dosen’t grab me at all!)