Mitsubishi Lancer 2003 News

Lancer and Evolution models are now being recalled as a precautionary measure by Mitsubishi because of Takata airbag shrapnel risk.

The Lancer has a 3.9 per cent slice of the sub-$40,000 small-car market, but faces off against a dominant Mazda3 with 18 per cent share, and the Toyota Corolla with 16.5 per cent. The small-car sector is virtually static in sales -- up just 0.9 per cent year-to-date -- but the buyer demand for compact, fuel-efficient cars means there are no signs of the sector weakening. Luring buyers with the value flag is the Mitsubishi ‘Special Action Model’ - or SAM - that gets a $19,990 drive-away price for a manual sedan based on the entry-level 2.0 litre ES model. SAM comes with metallic paint, choice of four colours, 16-inch five-spoke alloys, Ralliart front bumper and grille, VRX high-rise boot spoiler and extra bling. Mitsubishi has announced its “compact sedan” concept will become the next Lancer, but it could be three years away. The SAM is one of the special-edition models designed to maintain sales ahead of this next generation.  

One Brisbane company plans to begin selling the converted new cars next year from $48,990.  Deep Green Research (DGR) director Michael Gutteridge says the cars will be more affordable than a Prius hybrid luxury model with cheaper running costs and better performance. They will come with a reversing camera, parking sensors, GPS, Bluetooth capability, five-star crash rating, five-year warranty and a swappable battery that snaps in and out and costs about the same as a "swap-and-go" gas bottle. Gutteridge even hopes to compete in the Bathurst 12-hour race with a high-performance production model based on a Lancer Evo and costing $115,990.  "We'll have our own financial and insurance packages," he says. "We want to make it as easy as possible to own an electric car." Gutteridge, a former senior scientist in the Queensland resources and mines department, is raising up to $1.5m in capital to begin manufacturing motors and battery boxes, and converting the Lancers in the middle of next year.  He expects to make about 100 in the first full year, doubling every following year and returning pre-tax profit of $40m after five years with a staff of about 30. "Our market survey shows we will have a line-up for cars," he says.  Gutteridge is not yet releasing the name for the new electric vehicles. The small but blossoming Brisbane electric conversion industry began on the back of the University of Queensland's 10-year solar car program.  "Those UQ electrical engineering students formed local businesses such as Tritium and Ultramotive," he says. Tritium developed the controller used in many solar cars around world and updated it for a Honda Civic which DGR is using as a test car.  Ultramotive designed and built the car's motor originally for a solar car, but has upgraded it for the test vehicle. The DGR Civic competed in the 2009 Global Green Challenge last year and consumed power at 85watt-hour/km.  "That's like getting a Commodore to do 1.3 litres per 100km or 217mpg in the old language," Gutteridge says. The base model electric Lancers will be powered by a lithium-ion phosphate battery with range of about 100-140km and the premium models will use a lithium polymer battery with range of 210-315km. Base models will have 124kW of power and 250Nm compared with the petrol Lancer's 113kW/198Nm.  The electric "Evo" model will have 245kW and 500Nm with a top speed of 250-300km/h. Conversion requires the removal and sale of the petrol engine with Evo engines fetching about $7500.  It is replaced with an electric motor, controller and a reduction gear, but the transmission and differential are retained. Although the Civic test car has an automatic transmission, the electric Lancers will have a five-speed manual gearbox that will also operate in second or third around town "like an automatic". There is a simulated clutch and the vehicle will not stall when stopped in gear. Conversion requires only "slight changes" to the suspension and brakes, but DGR adds an electric brake vacuum pump, electric power steering pump and electric airconditioning motor and condenser. The car also gets a DC converter that drops the current from the 450V battery pack to 12V to operate the car's electrical system for airconditioning, lights, audio etc.  There is a charger on board that can charge from a 10amp, 15amp or three-phase power outlet. A full charge from flat will take seven hours on 10amp, but the car will be able to be plugged into two outlets halving the charging time.  Rapid charging can be completed in two hours through three-phase power or one hour if there are two three-phase outlets. "We can even organise an electrician to install the outlets in the garage as part of our package," Gutteridge says.  DGR will have a three-month run-flat assistance program and Gutteride is negotiating to have auto clubs offer a similar service after their program expires. They will also offer to install solar panels on the roof of a customer's garage at $2500 after government rebate.  "The car will pay off installation in the first year of operation in savings on running costs," he says. Gutteridge will follow the new electric cars with second-hand electric Lancers starting from $39,990.  "There will be no electric cars available at that price and spec level," he says. "Our research shows that 75 per cent of potential electric car buyers would be happy with a second-hand chassis, however government fleets will only buy new cars." Gutteridge also plans to produce an electric SUV based on the front-wheel-drive Mitsubishi ASX, a high-powered 4WD electric model to compete against the Porsche Cayenne and a small "Joey" utility similar to a Mini Moke for about $25,000-$30,000. He says there is already interest for the Joey from governments and the Defence Force.  Gutteridge says the Australian Design Rules (ADR) are being re-written to accommodate electric cars, but his vehicles will be available before the rules are completed. "The new ADRs will basically comply with the European standards for electric cars," he says.  "Our intention is to exceed any public ADR standards." DGR also plans to crash test the vehicles and hopes for a five-star rating.  Gutteridge says they will handle servicing in Queensland and sub-contract the task interstate.  "Servicing costs should be about half those of a petrol car," he says.DGR electric cars New prices: $48,990 (base), $54,990 (intermediate with longer-range battery), $67,990 (premium), $115,990 (Evo-based high-performance model) Used prices: from $39,990Motor: Ultramotive AC motorBattery: lithium-ion phosphate (base), lithium polymer (premium)Range: 100-140km (base), 210-315km (premium)Power: 124kW (base), 245kw ("Evo")Torque: 250Nm (base), 500Nm ("Evo")

"In the current economic climate everybody is looking for better value for money without compromise," Mitsubishi Australia president and CEO Robert McEniry says. "The new Lancer line-up lets our customers have this without breaking the bank." The Lancer range, which accounted for almost half of all sales for the triple-diamond brand last month, has been freshened with some minor exterior style changes, more extensive interior freshening and a limited edition RX model (from $21,990) with unique badging and wheel designs to sit beside the entry ES cars. Across-the-range changes include a new-look instrument cluster, improved ETACS (Electronic Total Automobile Control), synchronised windscreen washers, and premium VRX-style tail lamps as standard on all variants. The ES also gets extra storage with a floor console box and the availability of optional side and curtain airbags. Exterior changes to the mid-range VR model include a new chrome upper grille, and alloy wheel design while NVH has been improved with the inclusion of an insulated front windscreen to cut down on road noise. The high-end Rockford Fosgate audio system is also available as an option. The VRX and Aspire also win the sound-deadening windscreen and the premium audi system as standard. ES, RX, VR, VRX and Ralliart models are available with a sedan or Sportback body, with the premium Aspire offered solely as a sedan.

His car is worth only a fraction of the state-of-the-art Porsche GT2 twin-turbo of runner-up Jim Richards.But Glenney was on fire aboard his 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer, which had been upgraded to Evo 9 specifications.The thoroughbred horse breeder and trainer took over the outright lead on The Sideling stage on Thursday morning and never relinquished it, giving Mitsubishi an historic first win in the 17-year-old tarmac rally.Glenney held a 57s lead over eight times champion Richards and his Tasmanian navigator Barry Oliver going into day five, the final day, yesterday.By the time the Modern category field had cleared the monster hauls across Strahan and Mt Arrowsmith, and the winding ascent out of Queenstown, Glenney had established a 1m18s buffer.Then came the cork-screw drop into Tarraleah gorge and out the other side, and Risdon Brook on the outskirts of Hobart, and by the time the field got to the Domain stage Glenney was 1m31s ahead and only had to finish the 1.36km Hobart stage to claim his first Targa Tasmania trophy.Third was West Australian rally specialist Dean Herridge in a Subaru WRX STi, 2m28s behind Glenney, followed by Queenslander Ray Vandersee in his self-designed and built Skelta G-Force.Tasmanian Jason White, who damaged his car in a crash on Friday, got back in the rally on Sunday but withdrew at Strahan with a broken gearbox.Glenney's performance was even more meritorious given his four-wheel-drive Lancer was suited to wet conditions but the event was the first ever rain-free Targa.“The event was very tough and we probably competed under conditions which didn't suit our car, which has made the win all the more pleasing,” he said.“I would love to come back and defend the Targa title next year and look forward to it.”After dominating the first four days of the 2WD Showroom competition, Rick Bates' Mazda3 MPS dropped out of contention because of a broken fan belt on the Mt Arrowsmith stage.But its twin, driven by his Scottish teammate Alister McRae, won the title by a whopping 26m35s over Phil Buggee (Vic).Tasmanian Tony Warren had an all-the-way win in the 4WD Showroom class, having set up his win with a super day three.Victorian Rex Broadbent claimed back-to-back Classic titles, but made it two in a row only with the generosity of a rival driver.Peter Eames, of Victoria, gave him a tyre, which came with a two-minute penalty from officials, but Broadbent still got home by 1m25s.“The generosity of Peter Eames was a gesture of fantastic sportsmanship,” Broadbent said.“We weren't hanging around this morning and we really had to go for it as we were starting the day 24 seconds behind.“We didn't know if we were making or losing time on the others early on, so had to drive at 10/10ths for a few stages. It all worked out which is just fantastic.” Final results Modern1. Steve Glenney (SA) , Bernie Webb, (ACT) , 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 7m35s2. Jim Richards (VIC), Barry Oliver, (TAS), 2008 Porsche 911 GT2, 9:063. Dean Herridge (WA), Glenn Macneall (WA), 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, 9:534. Ray Vandersee (QLD), Jahmeil Taylor (SA), 2004 Skelta G-Force, 9:575. Jamie Vandenberg ( TAS), Simon Vandenberg (TAS), 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 10:206. Greg Garwood (TAS), John Allen (QLD), 2004 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 10:257. Matt Close (VIC), Casey Close (VIC), 2000 Porsche 911 Turbo, 11:318. Klark Quinn (QLD), Natasha Deniese (VIC), 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, 11:499. Tony Quinn (QLD), Keith Wenn (TAS), 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo, 11:5310. Tony Longhurst (NSW), Jameil Taylor (SA), 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, 13:07Classic Outright1. Rex Broadbent (VIC), John Lillyman (VIC), 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, 17m22s2. Gavin James (VIC), Neil McLeod, (VIC), 1989 Porsche 944 S2 , 18:463. Peter Eames (VIC), Will Logan (TAS), 1974 Porsche Carrera RS, 18:514. Steve Coad (VIC), Rachael Coad (VIC), 1971 Holden Monaro GTS; Jon Siddins (QLD), Darren Ferguson (QLD), 1970 Datsun 1600, 21:246. Gary Tierney (VIC), David Carra (VIC), 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, 22:127. David Morton (NSW), Malcolm McDonald (NSW), 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo, 23:128. John Ireland (NSW), Michael Ribot (NSW), 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera, 23:429. Rob Sherrard (QLD), / Roberts (TAS), 1981 Porsche 930, 25:3610. Barry Faux (ACT), Therezia Mihajlovic (ACT), 1979 Mazda RX7, 28:58Showroom 2WD1. Alister McRae (SCO), Iain Stewart (QLD), 2007 Mazda3 MPS, 20m0s2. Philip Buggee (VIC), Paul Freame (VIC), 2006 FIAT Punto Sport, 46:353. John Dunkley (NSW), Jon Parker (NSW), 2006 Peugeot 206 Gti 180, 1h3m0sShowroom 4WD1. Tony Warren (TAS), Rhonda Burrowes, (NSW), 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 19m30s2. Scott Millar (QLD), Christopher Dean (QLD), 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 27:593. Malcolm Klopp (SA), Damien Pearce (SA), 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 31:42 

Mitsubishi Motors Australia revealed its Subaru WRX-chasing Lancer Ralliart at the Melbourne Motor Show. The price will probably be about $40,000 when it goes on sale in August. The newest Lancer family member is designed as a stepping stone between the ES, VR, VRX and blistering Evolution X. Mitsubishi president Robert McEniry describes the Ralliart as a “tougher version of the street-model Lancer.” The Ralliart is powered by a slightly detuned version of the 2.0-litre Mivec intercooled and turbocharged engine available in the Evolution X. Despite its lower state of tune, the car still pumps out 177kW and 343Nm and misses little in the way of performance features. It comes with Mitsubishi's twin-clutch sportronic shift transmission (TC-SST) automated manual transmission and full-time AWD with an active centre differential. Visually, the Ralliart has a distinctive front bumper design, rear spoiler and dual exhausts. Apart from the Lancer Ralliart, Mitsubishi will roll out the Lancer Sportback hatch later in the year. The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart has a distinctive front bumper.