2008 Mitsubishi Lancer First Steer
September 21, 2007 by Anthony Crawford
“The new Lancer is the most accomplished small car I’ve driven in years and easily sets a new benchmark in the category”
Mitsubishi are about to release a new weapon and it’s not the EVO X. I’m talking about the 2008 stock standard Lancer range. That’s the ES, VR and VRX.
Style wise, it knocks everything else for six. In Red or Silver and in VRX guise, you’d be forgiven for thinking you just saw the EXO X on the road; such is the resemblance.
Price and equipment wise, it only gets better. At just $20,990, the entry- level ES model will have the rest of the small car field in damage control.
Here’s why. Active Stability Control and Traction Control are standard across the entire Lancer range. And it doesn’t stop there when it comes to safety equipment.
All Lancer models also come with Dual Stage driver and front passenger air bags, Driver knee airbag, side and curtain airbags (optional on the ES but standard on VR & VRX) and ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist.
That’s the active safety systems accounted for, at least in part, but occupant safety is literally built into the Lancer’s body structure which Mitsubishi call Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution or RISE. The system not only deflects energy loads in severe side and rear crashes, but also protects the fuel system if you get hit from behind.
The list of goodies even in the base model is surely class leading, but opt for the VR and VRX at $25,290 and $28,990 respectively, and the standard kit reads like an options list for a European prestige car.
We grabbed the first manual transmission car we could get our hands on, which happened to wear an ES badge. It’s a five-speed box, which slips easily through the ratios and is mated to an all-new 2.0-litre 16-valve MIVEC engine.
Power and torque outputs of 113kW and 198Nm are near identical to the larger and less green 2.4-litre MIVEC engine that it replaces.
Once warmed up on a good stretch of uncrowded country road we dropped the right pedal and held the gear ratios to a gentle 5000rpm and the Lancer was moving with some urgency as we shifted into fifth.
Most ratios are well spaced although, I felt second gear was a little long in the tooth (no pun intended). Third through fifth though, are magic, and highway cruising at peak speed limits is effortless.
Cruise control is standard, via simple steering wheel mounted buttons and was highly responsive to all inputs.
At 100km/h we were averaging between 5.0-6.0L/100kms (that’s 91 octane unleaded) and engine noise was barely noticeable over insignificant wind and tyre noise. Put those extraordinary figures down to the smaller capacity powertrain.
Ride and handling are first rate with a generally smooth and compliant ride for driver and passenger even over poor road surfaces. We hit some blind dips in the road at a rapid velocity and were expecting the car to bottom out. Not a chance.
Front suspension is a MacPherson strut layout as per previous generation Lancer although, reduced weight and enhanced rigidity means all new components.
On the back – a new multi-link rear suspension ensures the sort of ride comfort you would normally expect on a more expensive and perhaps larger car.
Apart from the enhanced ride qualities – this is a much more rigid car than that which it replaces. How’s this for stiff.
Torsional rigidity is up a massive 56 per cent and bending rigidity increased by 50 per cent. But here’s the stat makes it all good. The new Lancer exceeds body stiffness of the current Lancer Evolution 1X and that’s downright astounding.
Steering is precise although no more so than the previous Lancer which didn’t need fixing in any way. However, at speed and into some nice curvy stretches, the boost could have been reduced – slightly.
The old Lancer interior was rubbish. They knew it and we knew it.
Mitsubishi have listened well though. The interior fit out on the new car is inline with more expensive Japanese cars although, some plastics are a little on the hard side.
Overall though, the cockpit is a nice place to be, with an upmarket/sporty feel with metallic/carbon-fibre look trim and switchgear.
The ergonomics are well thought out, with the exception of the handbrake lever, which is awkward to pull up. Seats all round are supportive, comfortable and well bolstered. It’s a wider track and longer car than the superseded model, so there is plenty rear legroom and headroom for those up to 190cm or a little over.
For those of you who fear a manual gearbox – shame because this is a good one – all is fine. You can opt for the CVT – which stands for Continuously Variable Transmission, which is a form of auto transmission without gears if that makes any sense.
It’s a clever system of pulleys and belts, which requires no conventional gear changes, just a smooth power delivery right through its ratio range. It’s also a system, which generally offers better fuel economy than a standard 6-speed auto, as its always high on the torque band, so the throttle response is usually quicker. The only time that doesn’t hold up is if you need to floor it from a standstill, which is a protracted affair.
In-gear acceleration is where the CVT shines. If your travelling along at a lazy 3000rpm and need to overtake a dirty great B-Double as was required on our test drive, then in less than a second, you’ll see the tacho hit 5500rpm and you’re gone!
Next up was the VR, which is distinguished by its 16-inch alloys and small boot lip spoiler and a host of interior upgrades, which it shares with the top spec VRX.
You pick up some upmarket features such as; Automatic climate control, Auto headlamps, rain sensing wipers and a better sounding audio unit with 6 disc changer and six speakers.
Although the 16-inch alloys on the VR feel better, into and out of the bendy bits – it’s essentially the same mechanical set-up as the ES albeit slightly heavier at 1320kg up from 1295kg.
Naturally we saved the best until last. The VRX sits on some tasty ten-spoke 18-inch alloys shod with Advan 215/45 rubber. There’s also an EVO style rear spoiler along with a few other subtle design highlights.
If you choose the CVT transmission you find a set of magnesium paddle shifters that look frighteningly similar to those found on a few very expensive cars we have driven.
Sport-tuned suspension and larger 16-inch brake discs front and rear round out the performance/handling bits.
You won’t need to use a key with the VRX either. Just carry the key fob on your person and the car will unlock for you and then just turn the starter as if it were a key and off you go.
You’ll also pick up an easy to use Bluetooth hands free phone with voice recognition and steering wheel controls, which will make life easier.
Options are a must with Mitsubishi – particularly those on offer with the VXR. The Rockford Fosgate 650 watt, 9 speaker (massive subwoofer in boot) audio unit is yours for just $750. Similarly, the sunroof option for the VR and VRX is only $1600.
No question that the VRX felt the most planted on the road and the car you would most like to own in this range budget permitting.
Brakes were more than responsive on the ES and VR but they were better on the VRX pulling up well at high speed although the drive route did not afford an opportunity to test brake fade.
“When you factor in price points, driveability, styling, features and safety spec across the Lancer range – Mitsubishi had better start recalculating their Lancer supply numbers – up”
BY Anthony Crawford
Print it: 
Nice front end, but shame about the rear. The hatch concept looks like a winner though. If that makes production with a turbo AWD variant, it will turn the hot hatch market on it’s head, especially with the 10 year/160k warranty.
This is a nice looking car. But I think it only looks good in its upper spec models. the base model is ugly. How does the new lancer compare the the Mazda3?
Oh my god I want one. They all look good. Mitsu is on a winner!
OLD Galant and Alfa Romeo cross from rear end. Looks nice, inside unreal and if priced correct will sell very very well.
… also tad newish Volvo. Still gels really well!
I think the Lancer is going to be very competitive, its pricing seems reasonable, it looks alrite and its feature list (knee airbags, CVT etc!) is prity amazing… not to mention their huge warranties.
Where’s the info on the GSR? Mitsubishi is still releasing one are they (or will it come out by Ralliart along with the Evo X?)
funny thing my anti-spam word is subaru!! I think subaru and mazda should be worried about this car it looks great, and by the sounds of it, it goes good to. If I had the money I would seriouly get one
We beleive the next Lancer to hit our big Island will be the EVO X and that will be followed by a turbocharged Ralliart model. After that, it could be the Sportback in standard and Ralliart guise.
stay tuned
It looks awesome. In my opinion heaps better than new Impreza / Corolla. Well done Mitsu!
Good review, and good car, I dont know what Subaru is going todo when the Ralliart lands!
Not to mention the STi vs the EVO, Mitsubishi are on the come back and Subaru seem a little out of puff!
what a good looking car! subaru better watch there backs!
Nice review guys. Have liked the look of this since release in the US. 100% on the previous model.
Do we have a complete list of options? Are we getting the SatNav here in Aus (I damn well hope so)!
Bloody hell….I think you need to change the name of the site to Mitsubishi-Advise, a whole page on the new Lancer!? Are you guys getting a kick back or is Mitsu-shitty funding your next office party???
I smell a “sell-out” based on 10 reviews in a row for one car from the same company!!! For Shame, tusk tusk.
Oh, and I’m not a fan of Mitsubishi based on all the recalls they covered up and the fact that after 100K the rings decompress and the engine uses more oil than fuel….just my 2cents worth.
Slim Shady i don’t think its fair that you are saying that. Caradvice comprehensively covers most things that happen within the automotive industry, and this just happens to be one of them. And i think the reason why the new lancer has gotten such a good review is because maybe, just maybe, it is actually a good car. I think a lot of people don’t mind this taking up the whole page, as a lot of people are anticipating the release of this model.
Yeah i was anticipating this model Baji but now im sick of the site of it … Next ..
Grill looks like something out of Battlestar Gallactica.
I don’t think looks a as refined as Impreza, Focus or Corrolla.
:-O yeh i’ve just realised that there is a LOT of posts on the new lancer… a lot of it seems to be repeated. my apologies for not looking at it all. in my post before, i thought slim shady meant THIS post took up a lot of space.
Wow..
I have a more powerful car with more features, and I want this. Now that’s a good product.
Slim Shady, this is a massive model launch, the first lancer on Mitsu’s global platform, and given the number of emails we have got asking for info, we thought we’d cover it properly.
We did the same with the Corolla, Aurion, Commodore etc, its the big models that get the coverage.
Expect to see a riced up version with big chrome wheels and triple deck spoiler coming to a street near you.
Anyway, if the standard lancer is this good, the evo will be mind blowing.
For what it’s worth alborz, I was pleased there was in depth coverage and good idea splitting into subjects.
Are the exterior driving pics actual CarAdvice road test pics?
Congratulations to the whole CarAdvice Team on putting together such a comprehensive dossier of information.
It is very much appreciated.
Slim Shady and the reset of you in denial.
If you cant accept the facts about a revolutionary new Mitsubishi car and stop insulting this website with your unsabstantiated accusations of money under the table, dont bother contributing to this blog.
All I can say is good work to the journo’s who have worked hard to supply the consumer all this unbiased information.
The facts are clear, its a brilliant small to medium car that sets industry benchmarks.
Dont bother responding to my comments as I dont give a!
At least the choice for peopel that want to buy Evo or WRX is made easier since one is a hatchback and this has a trunk.
Nice coverage of the new model, and almost makes me want to trade up from my current model VR-X (2006). However, I am keenly awaiting the arrival of the Ralliart and EVO X!
The new Lancer is mind blowing. Especially the VRX model with the Rockford Fosgate audio option for only $750, you’d be crazy not to get it. I can see Lancer sales going well over the predicted 1500 sales a month.
Performance wise it is going backwards compared to the old 2.4, but the features more than make up for it. Plus it has been reported there will be a 2.4 option later on.
That being said, there is such a good variety of great quality cars in this segment, and yet so many people go for the Corolla. But hey, if they want to waste their money that’s their choice.
Oh, and what I meant above is you would be crazy not to get that option if you were buying a Lancer.
Hi Guys,
Those of you whos interested in taking a test drive..Tynan Motors has two VRs in stock at the moment..The sales guy just called me up to let me know
Tynan Motors Sutherland
642 Princes Highway Sutherland NSW 2232
I am going to have a test drive today for sure..
The Lancer was released to Dealers on Wednesday 19/09/07 at Luna Park..I wanted to go there but it was a closed door event I reckon and was only for dealers..Anyway the car is here.
Also.. GSR will be here Q1 2008…and then the EVO X probably Q3 2008..
Stay Tuned!!!
Great review. About half a year ago, I was looking for a new car and was close to buying a Mazda3 but after reading some news on the ‘08 Lancer I decided to wait a while. Looks like the Lancer VRX is a great car, so right now I will most likely be getting one when it comes out. However, I hope the reliability is good.
very Alfa inside and out – not too original – still a nice looking car though
Looks like it’s still going to be cheap; but the quality and features are way up Definitely a win. Impressed at the fuel economy and CVT too. Might hold out for the turbo Ralliart though if it ever gets here.
one thing for sure it cant be any worse than the previous lancers. i mean they had interiors to make koreans look acceptable and shared the suspension of a flintstones car.
looks definately came from the galant and this may even be an insight to the looks of the new 380. there has been a lot of talk of galant in mitsu camp of late
having spent last year in the UK, the new Lancer certainly shares DNA with the old Galant – (which must have sold reasonably well as it’s common over there) – seeing them often made me wonder why Mitsubishi didn’t style the magna / 380 after those rather than the seppo Galant as they did for the 380. A much better looking car, that probably would have sold much better than the 380 has!
I really like the look of the ‘08 Lancer… perhaps I’ll get one in a couple of years once depreciation and a few km have taken their toll on the purchase price :-)
My 1999 Lancer coupe now has 200,000kms of mostly country driving on it, has demanded very few repairs and is still reasonably tight. That history of good build quality, the promise of more internal space for a tall driver, ABS and air bags (especially the side ones) and the fact that Mitsubishi at least makes *some* cars in Australia (nobody makes a small car here) makes it likely I’ll be a customer again soon.
Anyone here had ever known that the engine under this Lancer’s hood is Hyundai-developed? Mitsubishi has bought liscense from Hyundai to use the engine for its new models to be developped in near future, New lancer is one of those that will run on the Hyundai engine.
Heaps of Australians keep worshipping Mitsubish but still ganging up on Hyundai. But what if Mitsu is paying Hyundai for using its engine for much-hyped(and worshipped)Lancer?
Don’t contradict yourself. Hope my post will tell you a bit of what is actually going on in the world auto industry.
i think hyundai has come a long way and is fast becoming a great company.
they are giving quality and unbelievable value and it doesnt surprise me that they are now supplying engines elsewhere
but interesting trivia thanks for that
Amrican Chrysler has also bought the engine design and technology from Hyundai for its Sebring convertible and sedan (midsized). The Hyundai engine that has been sold to Mitsu and Chrylser is Theta engine available in both 2.0 and 2.4L petrol.
The Engine used in the lancer was jointly developed by Mitsubishi, Chrysler & Hyundai. Only the cylinder block and other basic structural parts of the engine were jointly developed. Other components are unique to Mitsubishi engines like MIVEC variable valve timing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.....MA_engines
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.....g_Alliance
I have read a report on this new car in the latest Wheels Magazine. The size of the car is now ‘mid-size’. The new engine is all aluminium (sign of things to come as new cars lose weight for fuel efficiency).
This new model should sell well to singles, couples with no kids and retired folks.
A much better looking car than the ugly Mitsu 380.
Your not wrong there Tony the current 380 has a head like a savage water rat.
Guys – I don’t mind the looks of the 380 – although it’s a pity the styling isn’t as good as the Lancer. That’s a given. What I need to say though, is that the 380 is a first class drive in every respect. Don’t believe me! Do yourself a favour and go for a quick test drive and then report back here.
i actually dont mind the look of the 380 that much and the VRX form looks ….well i reckon bloody good.
not to mention that the 380 probably offers the best value by a long way. (but thats only cause they arent selling as many)
Kenn, don’t too much rely on wikipedia where any member of the general public cau put up an article if approved by its web coordinator. We gotta see deep inside the auto industry politics. Gotta realise Chrysler and Mitsubishi would not be happy with admitting their engines were Hyundai-based.
Note that 2.0, .2.4L Hyundai Theta engines debutted in Sep 2004 when the all new Sonata midsized sedan was launced first in South Korea.
The GEMA joint venture whereby Chryler, Hyundai and Mitsubishi agreed to the design of World Engines available in 2 variants (2.0, 2.4) was formed in 2005.
How come the Theta engine could have been ‘jointly’ developed even before the joint venture began its operation?
‘The cylinder block and other basic structural parts’ which I think require a good deal of technology and craftmanship were not jointly designed but exclusively designed by Hyundai. Chrysler and Mitsubishi then, based on the Hyundai-designed block design, built up their own engine using different manifolds, intake out-take systemw and valve timing equipment according to what they expected of the enigine. So the MIVEC is Mitsubishi edition of Theta Engine that has gone through fairly heavy mechanical addition and change (e.g Mitsubishi adopted their own MIVEC valve timing systems whilst Hyundai used Denso-designed Various Valve Timing configuration).
You might say ‘then they are completely different engines’
Well, in the 90’s, Hyundai had used Mitsubishi-based Sirius engines right until the Theta engine was built for the Sonata.
But many mechanical changes that Hyundai brought to the Sirius engine were such that they became completely different from one another. Even so, Hyundai still had to gain permission from Mitsubishi when they wanted to modify even the diameter of a screw in the block. Why? because the very fundamental part of the engine was still Mitsubishi-designed.
The reverse is now the case with relationship between Hyundai ,and Daimler Chrysler & Mitsubishi. Chrysler and Mitsubishi can modify the Hyundai-based engine to their own desired specifications making their engines quite distinct from each other, but still to a degree have to be dependent on Hyundai’ engineers.
I am not trying to detract from this awesome Mitsubishi sedan. Actually I am extremely pleased with this solid sedan and think this is the best bick in its class. But I just want to let people know what is really going on.
As far as I know this is what has actually happened between the American, Japanese and Korean auto makers. Please correct me if you find a bit that is wrong.
The new Lancer sedans are stunning both visually & technically. The inclusion of Stability Control and Traction speaks volumes about Mitsu’s commitment to safety.The same endorsements however cannot be awarded in the power stakes. Whilst the new 2.0L engine delivers class leading performance (113kw/198Nm),I believe the power/weight ratios suffer due to the increased kerb weights and sadly the heavier flagship VRX with its handling advantage suffers the most and loses out in a power struggle to the ES & VR. The sportiest model should also go as good as it looks, “not the opposite”! Come on Mitsu, don’t screw up with the normally aspirated models. Add the 2.4L engine (125kw/226Nm)(albeit pricier premium) and give the VRX the edge. Read the Aust CARSguide (Sept 21st liftout) tests in Canberra, A CVT equipped VRX would run the slowest time (approx 1 second) @ 10.5’s to 110kph. Perhaps Mitsu believes the upcoming Ralliart & EVO models will provide all the performance value! Your right, they will, but not all potential customers prefer and/or are allowed (“P” Platers) a turbo model that costs more to purchase and insane amounts to insure. Mitsubishi Aust’s CEO Rob McEniry has hinted to various press that the 2.4l engine could follow. If this pipeline upgrade is being considered, then it should have already been available in the VRX to all of us willing buyers. C’mon Rob, time to start rattling Mitsu Japan’s gates and get this upgrade implemented, ASAP. My money is still sitting in my bank.
16″ Brake Discs Front and Rear… So 400mm rotors on an ordinary road car, I don’t think so.
The US website lists 11.6″ Discs or there abouts.
hi guys,
im new here and been researching about this new 2008lancer if it is really worth getting compare to mazda3?
dont really know much about cars but damn, Hyundai engine on a lancer? heard that hyundai is a bit shaky too? but that’s just from someone’s mouth.
mostly appreciated if any will leave their comments.
Hyundai shakey! That’s funny. Those guys are selling heaps of cars worldwide and only getting stronger!
Which is better in performance, mazda3 or lancer08?
“At just $20,990, the entry- level ES model will have the rest of the small car field in damage control.” -CarAdvice
Ummmm I dont really think so… as another poster mentioned although it offers reasonable value for money it looks like absolute CRAP, the base model that is. I went to the dealership today… exteranally doesnt look as good and internally looks worse and one major downer for mine, no centre console on base!!! Id go VR or above. Although Im sure some people with an absolute lack of taste may still buy it.