Mitsubishi Lancer Sport

With a bit of sportiness and a lot of equipment, the Mitsubishi Lancer Sport could have an impact in the budget saloon and estate segments. Steve Walker reports

Trying to complete an appraisal of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sport without mentioning the fiery Lancer Evolution models would have been tricky. As it happens, I couldnt even get through the first sentence. Its in-keeping with the apparently haphazard product planning often associated with Mitsubishi that the rally replica Evo Lancers which, by rights, should occupy a highly specialist market niche, largely overshadow the sensible mainstream versions that should, by rights, be the volume sellers. Were you even aware that the Lancer line-up extended downward beyond the heavily turbocharged, allwheel-drive realm of the Evo?

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
Economy
Equipment
Handling
Insurance
Performance
Styling
Value

The fact is that it does and without the cavernous air-intakes, picnic table rear wings, gravel raking skirts and intercoolers the size of air-conditioning units, the Mitsubishi Lancer is a fairly ordinary budget family saloon. Whereas most manufacturers position a high performance derivative as a halo product to reflect the spotlight on lesser but more profitable versions further down the range, the overbearing Evo Lancers loom large over the conventional models, to the extent that they risk cutting off the oxygen of publicity completely. Admittedly, were it not for the Evo, the Lancer Sport is unlikely to have even been noticed by the motoring press, who might at least now see it as something of an overlooked mildly sporty saloon. The Lancer Sport is saddled with the impossible task of filling the gapping chasm between the entry-level 1.

6MPI Lancer saloon (front-wheel-drive, 96bhp, 0-62mph in 11.8s, available from under £10,000) and the entry-level Lancer Evolution IX, the 2.0-litre turbocharged FQ-300 (four-wheel-drive, 305bhp, 0-62mph in 4.7s, available from around £28,000).

The two cars are based on the same platform but you wouldnt know it. The Sport is patently no Evo and it doesnt even have the performance wherewithal to act as a budget alternative for those who cant stretch to the Evolution models. Viewed in isolation as a £12,000 family car, however, it has some merit.

"For this kind of money, the Lancer Sport is a lot of car with a lot of equipment"

Power comes from a fairly average 133bhp 2.0-litre 16v petrol engine which endows the Sport with a reasonable turn of pace. The 0-62mph sprint takes 9.6 seconds, so drivers will be able to give a 2.

0-litre Renault Laguna something to think about when pulling away from the lights and theres a 127mph top speed. Fuel economy of 33.6mpg on the combined cycle means its thirstier than a 145bhp Ford Focus 2.0-litre and CO2 emissions are measured at 199g/km.

Before you get too disheartened, lets reiterate that price. Youll pay £11,551 for the saloon or just £500 more for the estate. For this kind of money, the Lancer Sport is a lot of car with a lot of equipment. The Sport package gives a smidgen of that Evo road prescience with 16" alloy wheels, a mesh sports grille and a rear spoiler thats positively minimalist by Evo standards. The suspension is lowered by 30mm as well to tighten-up the Lancers body control and handling. Inside, theres a MOMO leather steering wheel (could this be the slowest car ever to be fitted with a MOMO tiller?) sports front seats and white dials for the instruments. The standard specification that you get in addition to the above is perhaps even more impressive.

Theres climate control air-conditioning, metallic paint, a CD player, remote central locking, colour-keyed electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors and front fog lights. Theres also a height adjustable drivers seat, a 60/40 split rear bench, adjustable rear headrests and plenty of other stuff as well. Safety wise, all models get four airbags but theres no stability control system. Though there are those saloon and estate bodystyles to choose between, the absence of a halfway house hatchback will deter some buyers.

Both models offer ample room for four passengers and you can get a fifth into the middle of the rear bench at a push. The saloon has a sizable boot but the estate is the option for those who really value carrying capacity. It has a split rear seat that drops down to give more luggage space when there are no passengers on board. When you do have people in the back, the estate provides more headroom than the saloon thanks to its higher roofline and this is worth considering if your rear seat occupants tend to be of adult size.

The materials used for the fixtures and fittings are tough but not really of the first order quality wise. The components seem well-assembled and durable but there isnt the kind of interior design flair thats common amongst mainstream rivals. The Lancer Sport is a tauter proposition on the road than an ordinary Lancer thanks to its lowered suspension but its still a zillion miles away from the finely honed responses of a Lancer Evolution - most Lancer Sport buyers will thank their lucky stars that this is the case. Evo enthusiasts will put up with that models jarring ride and the droning engine in lieu of the cars legendary grip, handling prowess and pace but its likely to be a bit much for the average motorist.

The Lancer Sport, on the other hand, is a comfortable car to potter about in with good ride quality and reasonable composure through the bends. The engine does become noisy when extended but the controls are light and the manual gearbox is very pleasant to use. The standard Mitsubishi Lancer is a good value, highly reliable and often overlooked compact saloon and the Sport trim level injects a little more oomph into the package. Theres more to the cars sportiness than cosmetic add-ons with the 2.

0-litre engine giving useful performance and the lowered suspension sharpening the handling a touch. The Lancer is campaigning on the same kind of value proposition as other cheap Far-Eastern compact saloons but the Sport has a bit more about it than these nondescript rivals. If youre not expecting a junior Evo and you want a large-ish family car with a bit of road presence and a lot of equipment on a tight budget, the Lancer Sport has got the goods.  

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Mitsubishi Lancer Sport range
PRICES: £11,551-£12,051 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 12
CO2 EMISSIONS: 199g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 127mph / 0-60mph 9.6s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 33.6mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD, side impact protection WHO TO SEE: