Lancer Sportback 2.4 litre
The Lancer Sportback is a five-door coupe version of the Lancer – Mitsubishi elected to call it a ‘Sportback’ instead of hatchback or fastback. In Japan, there is a FWD version and a 4WD version, and two engine variants, a 1.8 litre DOHC and a 2.0 Litre DOHC, both with MIVEC, Mitsubishi’s very own variable valve timing system. The 4WD version comes with a 6-speed dual clutch gearbox, whilst the FWD versions come with a CVT with 6 virtual ratios. What we are likely to get here is yet another variant, a 2.4 litre DOHC MIVEC engine with FWD and a CVT. The 2.4 litre engine delivers 170PS of power, compared to the 150 PS of the 2.0 litre engine, and has a maximum torque rating of 226Nm at 4,100 rpm versus the 197 Nm at 4,200 rpm from the 2.0 litre engine. A new feature found in the Sportback, and not in the 2.0 Lancer is ASC (Acceleration Skid Control). Mitsubishi’s equivalent of traction control, which applies braking on the outer wheels to stabilize the car should it start to go into an over steer position, i.e. during a rear skid. In the case of an under steer problem, the ASC activates the rear inner brakes to negate understeer.
The Lancer Sportback shares the same platform as the current lancer, but instead of a boot, there is an additional hatch at the rear that extends from the rear edge of the roofline all the way to the rear bumper, in the typical way a hatchback does. Aesthetically, it depends on what shapes you like – if you like sedans, then the Sportback will not appeal to you – but if you like hatchbacks, then there you go! The test cars we had were dressed up with various body kits, principally a rear roof spoiler, side skirts, and a front lower lip. At this moment, we don’t have details of what exactly is coming as standard accessories, but I wouldn’t look at one without the rear roof spoiler. The test units we had were shod with 18-inch low profile tyres on alloy wheels, and these look good on the car.
Inside, the Lancer Sportback comes with leather seats, and a leather steering wheel. Paddle shifters add to the sporty character. The rear seats split and fold for additional versatility – you can also get both of them to fold flat simply by pushing a button in the boot, a useful feature if your arms are full of stuff.
We had a short stint with the Lancer Sportback at Mitsubishi’s Tokachi Proving Grounds in Hokkaido, Japan. On the high speed test track, which is in effect a huge oval, with banked turns, the Lancer Sportback could hit a top of 200 km/h. In a follow up test on a test circuit that has been built to simulate driving through normal roads, with corners, brows and dips built in, the Sportback performed very well. To be totally honest, there wasn’t enough road time given to us for a full test – what we have here is just the initial impression – the actual test findings will have to wait until the actual car comes in and we are given a chance to drive it over a longer period and distance.
However, our short test drive is enough to give the Lancer Sportback a thumbs up, at least for the time being – it would make a superb car for the Mitsubishi lover who wants a shape of car that looks a little different, and wants more power.
