Test drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 2005 - 2007 sedan
First step
When the car is sold for the third year with a bang, planned restyling does not look like a measure so necessary. Improving the details by preserving the main thing - this is the task in such cases. Mitsubishi absolutely correctly determined the main thing that allows Lancer to beat the sales records in Russia - the price. She remained unchanged.
And the rest of the changes, Mitsubishi Lancer 2006 is not much model year. The most noticeable of the external is the new bumper (instead of three horizontal slots, now one is wide) and the other grille of the radiator in a small black grid. The remaining innovations are in the list of configurations. For example, now there is an intermediate Invite+, richer than the simplest - Invite. Other configurations received sets of new equipment and various pleasant little things. The test came to us just the most affordable of the updated 1.6 -liter Lancer - Invite with a mechanical box. So everything that we got from the 2006 bonuses in addition to the already mentioned external cosmetics is plastic linings for titanium (on the front panel, doors and around the gearbox), as well as heating of mirrors and seats. A little. But not a little, if you recall again that the price remained the same. For many, this is a decisive factor.
Lancer does not make sense to contemplate the appearance for a long time - restyling details changed it only a little bit, the car did not play with new faces, and the old ones are already perfectly familiar to everyone. And if you are forgotten, look out the window.
The salon is simple and functional. The performance is solid, but due to the abundance of dark plastic, it evokes boredom. It was not possible to find large flaws in ergonomics, the governing bodies here are only the most important, and they are all in their places. The location of the steering wheel, pedals and lever of the box relative to each other is convenient. The bagel itself lies well in her hands, despite the thin polyurethane rim. The simplest equipment provides for the presence of air conditioning, however, the control unit looks lonely on the almost empty front panel. For version versions, a more solid central console with climate control is more expensive.
But the device with white sports dials looks not too harmonious in the budget Lancer. Ordinary black would be much more appropriate here. In addition, on a white background, aggressive red backlight seems dull and blurry even at night. Simple chairs with cloth upholstery provide the driver with a rather high landing. People of small stature will like this. And tall drivers will want to sink lower - but even in the extreme position the pillow is too high. The tilt of the back also does not change in the best way: it is springy and stopped in the right position with a step latch. There are no complaints to the reserve of adjustment in the length of the length - there are many legs.
Lancer is one of the most family cars in the Russian market. In the sense that it is precisely to him that the average family, matured to buy a foreign car, draws attention to him. Therefore, Lancer simply must be benevolent to the rear passengers. And they will not complain. With their knees, they barely touch the front seats, and three on the flat pillow of the sofa will be quite conveniently placed. Another family value is a spacious trunk. The back of the rear seat folds in parts flush with the trunk floor. Still, the opening in it was wider. But a trifle that you constantly have to pay attention to - the trunk can only be opened with a key or key from the cabin, the inner handle is also not provided.
The most suitable habitat for Lancer is the city. 98 forces of a 1.6 -liter motor is a necessary minimum so as not to feel like an outsider in the flows of the metropolis. But there is no need to talk about some extraordinary dynamics. The character of the motor is even and calm. Something similar to a pick can be found only after 3500 revolutions. But he is elastic. Below and at medium speeds, the engine pulls reliably and meekly. So in a tedious stream, it is not often necessary to turn to the help of lower gears. I liked the clarity of switching, but the long moves of the lever is not very good.
In the city of Lancer, it also pleases with excellent visibility - what forward, that back through large mirrors. Positive impressions of the operation of the hydraulic wrap spoils only insufficient performance during rapid rotation - the force increases too sharply. It is not customary to fight the noise of the motor in this segment, the priorities are slightly different. So we close our eyes to this noise, or rather the ears. But another sound is too noticeable to him - from the wheels. The sudden October raid of winter caught up with a lot of fear of motorists. Our Lancer was also frightened - ahead of time she went over to the winter studded tires. Who then knew that the snowdrifts and frosts were still far away. As a result, even on dry asphalt, Lancer feels not as confident as he could. And he could, that's for sure. This is evidenced by the assembled, elastic suspension, and an excellent brake drive, and adequate reactions to the steering wheel. But due to low clutch coating in any more or less dynamic turn, the car begins to slide under the loud rustling of the spikes. But the stabilization system is not provided even in the options. It is good that in such a forced limit, management remains clear. But caution should still be observed. A person choosing the most affordable Lancer can hardly be attributed to the ass of driving, and therefore he may not be ready for a similar situation.
Rubber and not very confident behavior of the car at high speed on the conscience. A void appears in the zero area of \u200b\u200bthe steering wheel, the Lancer reacts on the track and motley coating with trajectory leaders.
With slowdown from any speed, you mark the advantages of the brake pedal with a small stroke. And again, the tire reservation - ABS comes into effect with each energetic braking. But in general, the running qualities of Lancer left a pleasant impression. A harmonious, assembled machine, with understandable, readable reactions. Lancer does not cause rejection and gives exactly what you expect from him. This is his attractiveness. And the reason for recognition in the market. However, it will not be able to fall in love with a 1.6 -liter, in the Invite configuration. But faith and truth will serve the owner, becoming the first step in the way of mastering the Lancer line. Maybe there will be Lancer 2.0 Sport? Or maybe evolution? Why not?
The car was provided by Rolf Holding
Tel. 785-19-58
Model Mitsubishi Lancer
Basin engine with injection
Working volume (see cubic meter) 1584
Quantity/location of cylinders 4, in a row
Power (L.S.) 98 (5000 rpm)
Moment (Nm) 150 (4000 rpm)
Front drive
Mechanical gearbox 5-speed
Maximum speed (km/h) 181
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 12.1
Fuel consumption (l/100 km)
according to the combined cycle 8.9
Mitsubishi Lancer prices and equipment
Mitsubishi Lancer 2006 modeling sedans are offered with three engines options and in four trim levels. The weakest 1.3 -liter Lancer (82 hp) will bypass $ 14,490. The equipment is Invite. 1.6-liter machines cost from $ 15,490 (Invite) to $ 18,650 (Instyle, automatic). For a 2 -liter Lancer Sport, they ask for from $ 19,990 to $ 20,250. The equipment is only top -end, intense. Transmission - only
Text: Andrey Makarov
Source: Motor magazine [No. 12/2005]
