Mitsubishi Lancer 2015 News

Cars are either being built worse -- or companies are getting better at detecting faults.a range of models made over the last 10 years replacing potentially deadly Takata airbags in 1.3 million cars in Australia. a second, airbag-related recall for the Priusreplacing potentially deadly Takata airbags in 1.3 million cars in Australia

Mitsubishi's legendary Lancer Evolution is going out with a bang after a production run of 23 years running through 10 models.

Australia has been allocated just 150 cars to farewell the iconic Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.

The latest sales figures show we are now buying almost as many SUVs as we are buying regular cars.In the first three months of this year, SUVs of all shapes and sizes represented a staggering 42 per cent of all passenger cars sold (95,000 of 224,000), according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.Sales of SUVs have almost doubled in the past 10 years, from 173,000 in 2004 to 352,000 last year.The industry believes the SUV boom will continue until at least 2020, where they may even overtake passenger cars.It costs little more to get into an SUV these days than it does to buy a hatchbackThe new generation of city-sized SUVs, or "faux-wheel-drives", are essentially a high-riding hatchback — and most lack a proper all-wheel-drive system or sufficient ground clearance to climb a street gutter."Buyers love the tall driving position, and the flexibility of a wagon without looking like they're driving a wagon," says Richard Johns of Australian Automotive Intelligence.Mr Johns said price was also a factor in the popularity of SUVs."It costs little more to get into an SUV these days than it does to buy a hatchback," he said."The most popular SUV models also cost less than the typical $35,000 starting for the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon."Love them or hate them, sales of SUVs are driving the record growth in the new-car market.Last month, an Australian record for car sales in March, SUV deliveries were up by 15 per cent in a market that was up by 8 per cent.Honda sold more HR-Vs than Civic hatchbacks, Hyundai sold more ix35s than it did of its Accent small car, the Mitsubishi ASX outsold the Lancer, Toyota sold more RAV4s than it did Toyota Yaris hatchbacks and Nissan sold twice as many X-Trails as it did Pulsar sedans and hatches.And the pint-sized Mazda CX-3 outsold the Ford Falcon in March, even though the just-released Mazda had only been on sale for the last eight days of the month.The SUV specialist brands are cashing in. Jeep sales were up 15 per cent and Land Rover up 19 per cent last month.The SUV phenomenon has also hit the top end of town.SUVs now account for more than half of the sales for Toyota's luxury division Lexus, and its oddly-styled NX SUV was the brand's biggest selling model in March.The Porsche Cayenne and Macan SUVs each outsell the 911 sports car by more than four to one.BMW this week released a $200,000 high performance version of its 2.2 tonne BMW X5 that can outrun a Porsche 911.Even Rolls-Royce has joined the fray, planning to release an SUV within the next three years, although it refuses to use the term "SUV", preferring instead to call it a "high riding vehicle".Clearly some people still look down on SUVs.

Mitsubishi drops prices amid spec and model revisions across Lancer and Evolution lineup.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo axedMitsubishi has confirmed it will not develop an Evolution XI to follow the current model, with a spokesperson saying there were no plans for another generation of the iconic rally legend. However while they are farewelling the Evo, there is hope for development of another performance model utilising the Japanese brand's focus on electric vehicles.2015 Holden Cruze | spy shotsGeneral Motors’ next Cruze world car has been scooped in a totally undisguised state in a Shanghai holding yard, previewing the model we’ll see as the replacement for the locally manufactured Holden JH Series II model.Schumacher’s wife building $18m home medical suiteThe wife of seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is reported to be preparing a £10 million ($17.9 million) medical facility at their family mansion in anticipation of her husband being forced out of his current hospital intensive care unit place.Carmakers get in on April Fools Day adsCar brands love April Fools Day, using it as a channel to let off some marketing steam even more ludicrous than some of their regular advertisements and merchandising. And we love it too, because no car idea is too ridiculous to consider.

A new generation Evo is coming, only it won't be like any Evo we've seen before. Mitsubishi confirmed in 2011 it will be taking its Evo in a new direction, enhancing the breed while at the same time bowing to environmental pressures and changing consumer trends.Numerous reports have suggested that some form of vehicle electrification was likely for the new Evo, an Evo XI to all the fans, but with a turbocharged four-cylinder (possibly a diesel) and all-wheel drive intact. While this is still expected to be the case, reports are circulating that the car will be repositioned as a Nissan GT-R rival and have at least 373kW (500hp) on tap.Such a move would entail repositioning the car as a standalone model and no longer part of the humble Lancer family, which was one of the most enduring traits of previous generations. It truly was an econo-sedan with the performance to match a Porsche.The Lancer platform is still said to be the basis of the new Evo, however. The next-generation Lancer is due next year so the Evo spinoff could be out within the next year or two, though Mitsubishi's official stance is that it is still considering what form the new car will take.It is alleged to be a plug-in hybrid, combining a turbocharged four-cylinder with two electric motors for a total system output of about 370kW. Mitsubishi's Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) will also feature, but with the electric motors aiding traction instead of a traditional mechanical setup. The automaker's MiEV Evolution II electric Pikes Peak racers are said to provide a glimpse of what's possible.Like most plug-in hybrid vehicles, multiple driving modes including an electric only mode would aid economy. The setup will likely be an upgraded version of the drive system found in the upcoming Outlander PHEV SUV. A similar setup will be used by Honda's upcoming NSX and its rumoured Nissan may follow suit for its next-generation R36 GT-R. 

It's the brainchild of Queensland's Team Nemo driver and manager Chris Eaton who will debut the car at the World Time Attack Challenge at Sydney Motorsport Park on Friday, August 10. "Other teams you'll see at World Time Attack started out with a road car and added different bits along the way," says Eaton. "From the beginning, our car has been a definite effort to integrate the aero with the suspension and driveline. Our goal has been to produce something with the best ability in every area.'' It started life as a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII but and two years of development by American aerodynamicist and data engineer Andrew Brilliant it emerges as a track animal with aerodynamics "not far off an F1 car''. Just look at the stats: At 200km/h the 950kg car makes 1.6 tonnes of downforce which means - theoretically - that you could drive it upside down on the roof of a tunnel without falling off. The team uses special Hankook semi-slick tyres with enough load rating to cope with the downforce and a 600kW turbo engine that had to be programmed to automatically drop the boost in corners to stop the wheels spinning. "The car has more than 600kW at the wheels and would struggle to get that power down in the corners if we didn't moderate the boost,'' Eaton says. "The autoboost also improves engine reliability." It is believed the car will lap Eastern Creek at 1m29s which is as fast as Craig Lowndes lapped his V8 Supercar on full slicks.  

"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.

Over the years it's often been hidden in the shadows of its big brothers, Magna and Verada. This is a shame because it's a very competent car in its own right, it's built to a high standard and is simple to drive, with handling that's better than average for the type. Ride comfort is generally good but rough roads can rattle things about at times, especially in the budget-priced variants. The latest, all-new Lancer was released half-way through 2007 and, as is often the case with new releases, this has renewed interest in the model as a whole. It's been a consistently good seller in recent years, meaning that there are plenty on the used car scene. The older model Lancers are a little smaller than the latest one, which is approaching the original Mitsubishi Magna in size. However, some of the added size is to let it conform to crash safety laws so there isn't as much extra interior space as you might expect. Interior space is good in the front, but can be marginal in the rear if the front seats are adjusted rearwards to suit tall occupants. Rear seat headroom can be tight in the hatches, but is generally fine in the sedans and wagons. Lancer is simple to drive and park and has long been a favourite with those living in the suburbs and inner-city areas. It's OK in the bush and doesn't get knocked around too badly on rough roads, though this isn't the habitat it was aimed at. Handling is better than average for the type, though you wouldn't really call the Lancer a driver's machine. The Lancer MR coupe of 1997 to 2004 has firmer suspension and tauter steering so is an exception to the rule and has gained a reasonable reputation among those in the hot-four scene. There have been many Lancer body types over the years; two-door coupes, three-door hatches, four-door sedans and five-door station wagons. However, not all were on sale at all times. Note that there was an overlap with the station wagon as it didn't always change its design at the same time as the rest of the range. Thus we sometimes saw the old wagons being sold for up to two years alongside the new sedans. Three-door hatches prior to 1996 were called Lancers but the name was changed to Mirage with the introduction of the new model of that year. However, Mirage shares quite a few under-the-skin parts with Lancer and many of the remarks here can be heeded by potential Mirage buyers. Under the bonnet Lancer engines are all four-cylinder units. They had a displacement of 1.5 litres in the early days, a 1.8-litre unit being used in the upmarket versions from 1992 and a 2.0-litre in most models from 2002. The 1.5 engine used a carburettor until 1996 and fuel injection from then onwards. Because the Lancer was approaching the end of its life, August 2005 saw a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine being squeezed under the bonnet to grab sales away from the competition. This big engine has plenty of torque for safe overtaking, yet it doesn't use a lot more fuel than the smaller engines as it's running in a lightly stressed condition almost all of the time. This engine is the one to go for if your budget is up to it. Manual gearboxes are all five-speed units. Automatic transmissions on most older models were three-speed units until 1996, when they moved up to four speeds. The hot Lancer GSR of 1992 to 1996 is a rally-based special with all-wheel-drive and a hot twin-cam, turbo engine. It can cost big money to insure, service and repair, and is best left to the revheads. Lancer GSR models prior to the turbocharged version used a non-turbo 1.6-litre and have far less performance than the later model. The highly specialised, highly priced Lancer Evolution models are even further up the performance scale and are so far removed from the rest of the Lancer range that we'll ignore them here. Spare parts and repair prices are about average for this class and the Australian Mitsubishi dealer network is widespread and works efficiently. The Lancer is relatively easy for the home mechanic to work on, with good under-bonnet space and a conventional layout. Insurance charges are about average for the class, though you are likely to be charged substantially more for the hot GSR. Danger signs If possible, start the engine when it is completely cold. It should fire up within a couple of seconds and idle reasonably smoothly and quietly straight away. Carburettor engines, only fitted until 1996, won't be quite as smooth or tractable when cold as fuel-injected ones, but if one seems too bad call in an expert for advice. If the engine puffs oily smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration it may be due for an overhaul. Feel for an automatic transmission that is slow to engage gear or is inclined to change up and down unnecessarily. A manual gearbox should be slick and easy to use. If not there could be troubles — fast changes down through the gears will show the problem first. Check for previous body repairs by looking for ripples in the panels, paint that doesn't match correctly from one panel to another, and tiny spots of paint on glass, badges, body trim and so on. Rust is uncommon but check the lower areas of the body and the bottom corners of the doors, tailgate or boot lid as applicable. A Lancer GSR may have had a hard life in the hands of an amateur rally driver. Look for full-harness safety belts, a roll cage, rally instruments and driving lights. Check for under body damage and for panel repairs. Also listen for a noisy turbo and/or one that's slow to respond to the throttle.