Mitsubishi Lancer 2013 News

The boosted Lancer, expected to carry the Ralliart name, will slot into the line-up below the red-hot EVO model. The range will be similar to Subaru's Impreza stable, which has a turbo AWD WRX as the main performance model with a faster, more expensive STI as the hero car. It will be the first time Mitsubishi can offer an affordable WRX rival since the cult GSR Lancer more than 10 years ago. The Japanese carmaker has adopted a "bang for your bucks" approach, kicking-off with the Ralliart version of the Colt baby car. Apart from giving the struggling model some positive publicity, the turbo model has added about 40 Colt sales a month. Mitsubishi added to the build-up of the next-generation Lancer -- the brand's best-selling model in Australia -- by releasing a sketch of the car to be unveiled at the Detroit motor show in January. More aggressive, it bears similarities to the Concept X at Frankfurt last year. The Lancer, which will be bigger than current models, is to arrive in Australia next September. A standard model will be the first to go on sale with a new generation 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that is expected to produce about 120kW. A 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a diesel will be offered in Europe, but are unlikely here initially. The performance turbo AWD model, to compete with the WRX, joins the range in the first half of 2008 along with full-on EVO model. Mitsubishi offers a wagon version of the Lancer, but it is unclear whether a similar load hauler is part of the next Lancer plan. JAMES STANFORD A classic for everyone Classic cars owned by a mystery collector attracted $1.1 million last weekend at a Sydney auction. Some 95 cars went to a new home, while a further 58 are being referred to the vendor. The top sellers were a 1959 Jaguar XK150, selling for $79,100, a Ford V6 Capri RS3100, which went for double what was expected at $72,320 and a 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III, for $50,850. The cheapest model to sell on the day was a 1978 Opel Rekord, which attracted $678. About 700 people attended the auction with a further 70 customers bidding by telephone. The collector, a businessman who wishes to remain anonymous, amassed the 153 vehicles during a 30 year period, storing them in garages around NSW. It was the biggest private collection of classic cars offered at a public auction in Australia, outdoing both the Lindsay Fox and John Laws collections. A 1981 De Lorean sold for a tasty $45,200, a 1953 Riley went for $25,000 and a 1981 Holden Brock Commodore fetched $32,700. "There were so many different marques on offer within diverse price ranges," says Bonhams and Goodman chief executive officer Tim Goodman, who conducted the auction. Base commitment Hyundai will cement its commitment to Australia with a new $70 million headquarters in Sydney. At a groundbreaking ceremony this week Hyundai chief executive Steve Yeo says the new building will house Hyundai's Australian operations into the future. "It is a very substantial investment for us but it was an opportunity that we simply could not miss," Yeo says. Yeo says the multi-storey building in Macquarie Park, North Ryde, will provide enough space for Hyundai with an opportunity for future growth. Hyundai cars have been in Australia since 1986 with the marque adopting manufacturer/importer status in 2003.

The last locally available Evo from a few years back was a tweaked Ralliart version of the Evo VI. As usual, the new model is based on a four door sedan body and is a road going evolution of cars used in the World Rally Championship. That's where the Evo name comes from. It's a bigger car than ever growing in wheelbase and overall size and weight is up by 200kg compared to Evo VI, to around 1400kg. This is despite weight saving measures such as greater use of aluminium and carbon fibre in the body and other components. Power is down a tad to 195kW with torque around the same at 355Nm. Acceleration is also not quite up to the previous model at 6.1 seconds for the 0-100kmh dash. You'd be forgiven for thinking the VIII is a dumbed down version of the Evo but you'd be wrong. Driveability is better than ever and the VIII is possibly a quicker car point to point thanks to superior dynamics and the stiffer body. All its underpinnings have been tried and tested in the cut and thrust of international rallying and it shows. While there isn't any real ground breaking new technology, the car is subtly refined and each system and component upgraded to deliver better perform- ance. It retains all the good bits like the active centre differential and active yaw control which gives a 10 per cent gain in traction. The suspension is upgraded front and rear as are the brakes which feature multi piston Brembo calipers and large discs with "sport" ABS. The ABS is integrated into the cars steering and features G sensors for optimum stopping power. Engine revisions in the 2.0-litre, twin cam, four cylinder are significant and are aimed at reliability and lower emissions as well as stronger response across the rev range. The torque curve is flat thanks in part to the Evo's twin scroll turbo which has virtually no lag. Boost pressure is up to 0.9 bar from 0.8. Redline is 70000rpm. Though a six speed manual is available overseas, it seems superfluous when you drive the strengthened five speeder sold here. On the road the new Evo is a sensational drive, a real rocketship with startling acceleration always on tap. And all this go is harnessed by the dynamic package particularly the all wheel drive system which gives a high level of grip in all conditions. The car is a point and squirter as it virtually leaps from corner to corner and feels like a kart due to direct steering, strong throttle response, stiff chassis and powerful brakes. Some drivers might feel confronted by the VIII's direct steering and firm gear change but it adds to the sporty feel. The interior is fairly bland in a generic Japanese econobox way but is functional and has pretty well everything you need like aircon and a decent sound system. Recaro sports seats offer the necessary amount of side support for extremly fast cornering. Optional leather upholstery is available but there are some other goodies to enhance the handling that actually make the car less fun to drive because it becomes too stiff in the ride department. Mitsubishi is aiming the Evo VIII at Subaru's WRX STi, the Mazda RX8 and the Nissan 300Z. It's a few grand more than the slightly quicker accelerating STi but the Evo's a good looker with a brash body kit and low ride height and room in the back seat. The large carbon fibre deck wing is fairly in-your-face. Living with the Evo VIII on a day to day basis wouldn't be a problem. Keeping your licence would. Only 100 have been imported intially with more on the way. Most of the first shipment have been pre-sold.