2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback First Steer
October 23, 2008 by David Twomey
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
Mitsubishi’s all-new Lancer Sportback could be the car to take the Japanese car-maker to a sales position in front of local manufacturer Ford’s Falcon large sedans.
- by David Twomey
That’s the contention of Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) product planning manager, Chris Maxted, who says adding the hatchback version – Sportback in MMAL lingo – to the Lancer range should push the small car into a number three or four sales position in Australia.
Having spent several hours driving the VRX version of the Sportback, with the upgraded 2.4-litre engine, around some challenging roads between Orange and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, CarAdvice can say this is an excellent car and one we believe will have strong market appeal.
It’s also been priced at exactly the same figures as the sedan models, offering buyers a choice, but not a price hike!
Leaving aside the new engine in the VRX the Sportback is, up to a point, a case of “nothing’s changed” as the car is identical to the already strong selling sedan version up to the back doors.
From there it drops two millimetres in headroom and adds an attractively styled sloping back that MMAL says will ultimately double the sales of Lancer in Australia.
MMAL president and CEO Robert McEniry says the Lancer Sportback completes the wide-ranging and award winning Lancer range in Australia.
According to Mr McEniry Mitsubishi has experienced solid success with sales of the Lancer sedan, last month 1404 left showrooms, and with a versatile hatch style body, he told CarAdvice that the Sportback would pen up additional sales opportunities.
He says that the European designed Lancer Sportback will appeal to all small-car consumers who seek stunning style, pert performance, five star safety and the versatility of a hatch-style body.
Mitsu., website has then on special and claiming *runout* is a newie on the way?
Cheers
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