Test drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 2003 - 2005 sedan

Normal heroes

Three indisputable favorite of the Russian market of the 2003 model: why did our customers like it?
  
Three heroes
The popularity is the lady is windy. Once again, last year's results of sales of foreign cars in Russia may recall this. Where are you, heroes of yesterday? As a cow in the tongue once licked the stroke octavia. Brother with the sister Golf and Borus went into deep shadow. Even the eternally young old woman Nexia did not demolish the heavy burden of leadership, losing his focus of the Vsevolozhskiy assembly. The third position by joint efforts was won by the veteran of Carisma and the young fighter Lancer, and the fourth firmly fixed the Corolla.
 
It would seem logical. The focus focused customers with an affordable price, Toyota, on the contrary, solidity and relative high cost confirming the dignity of the model. Lancer is bought almost out of habit, after all, the most popular carismation is discontinued. Right? The fact of the matter is that it is not quite. During the confrontation, it turned out that some talents of these cars are hidden from the general public, and some well-known facts are not true.
  
Simple, but clean
The focus salon, unlike its exterior, who, you see, has already become confused, still breathes avant -garde. It was as if Kisa Vorobyaninov passed here, scattering with a generous hand along the cabin, not the bagels, but buttons, deflectors, switches. Where it fell, and there was a prolonged. But we will be fair in this chaos is present. The main governing bodies do not cause complaints. It is more difficult with secondary keys, such as heating glasses, but you get used to such things quickly, in a day of communication with the car.
 
   
Despite his solid age, the focus interior remains very original, but most importantly, quite spacious

   
In terms of the design/ quality of finishing materials/ spaciousness, the Corolla salon has no equal

 
Outwardly, Lancer’s interior is not the most luxurious, but it turns out to be the most comfortable to spend time
   

More importantly, the Russian focus grows before our eyes. On the machines of the 2004 model year, a normal upholstery of the door with a full -fledged pocket appeared in the basic configuration. True, cheap fabric is now there.
 
But another surprise is finally restored in the rights of the vertical adjustment of the seat, previously considered privilege, and therefore reserved for the expensive configuration of the GIA. A year ago, it was these shortcomings that did not allow the focus to get a good rating in our test, now we are happy to put a solid four.
 
 
As it turns out, the bold design of the focus interior is not an interference of an ergonomically equipped driver's workplace
    
The Corolla salon in the R2 configuration (in the picture) is noticeably richer than the popular version of R1, on which there are neither inserts for aluminum, nor optestone dashboard

 
Cheap steering wheel, brilliant plastic under a black tree and an unpretentious dashboard a few disadvantages of the inner world of Lancer
  

The main decoration of the interior of the Korolla dashboard, made using the optitron technology. Simultaneously with the turning of the key in the ignition lock, the tidy flashes with white dials and red arrows. Effective and almost like on Lexus. Alas, optitron is available only in expensive R2 configuration. There is nothing to grab in the cheaper Corollahs and eyes.
 
Everything is gray-gray, but very convenient. The remarks are small: a poorly readable display of the radio/board-computer, a heating button that connects only the driver’s, or both seats at once, the handles-lancrats of the angle of the back and the height of the pillow, which you constantly confuse. Nonsense. However, some of us really lacked the adjustment of the steering wheel by departure. It turned out like this: the legs were already bent at the knees, as on the Lada, and the hands barely reach the lamb.
 
       
The outsider of the beauty contest of the instrument panels of Mitsubishi (photo on the right), the winner of Corolla (in the middle). But there are no serious complaints about the readability
 

Therefore, probably, from the point of view of ergonomics at the height of only Lancer's interior. The minus is the only tiny on -board computer display, combined with the odometer. But otherwise the ideal. You find everything with your eyes closed. Managing air conditioning, head lighting in the usual places. Seats adjustments are located flawlessly. The moves of the lever of the gearbox are exemplary. Alas, a spoon of tar was discovered in this barrel of honey.
 
Suppose hard upholstery plastic, and especially the steering wheel, or an articular panel for a black tree for a democratic golf-class model, is not a catastrophe. But how is the dashboard depressing, elusively reminiscent of the instrument shield of either a Muscovite or Izha. One unsuccessful detail, and the impression of the interior as a whole, by the way, is much more stylish than that of the same carism, it is hopelessly spoiled. It is a pity, because Lancer has a magnificent steering wheel and a stylish dashboard in the configuration. But in Russia, this is available exclusively in an option with a 2-liter engine.
 
Five on shops?
No, you are better to us. Neither in the focus, nor in the Corolla, nor in the Lancer, five adults will be able to travel comfortably. But leaving overboard the fifth excess, you can get a great job. Who is the most spacious? Are you sure that the tall Corolla? Let's take a roulette. Indeed, Toyota on the reserve for the head and legs sits in the back a little beats the focus, but the surprise is so surprise! inferior to the lowest and narrow Lancer in our test.
 
Mitsubishi and the front armchairs are more comfortable than the longest and widest pillow, and the width of the workplace is the most volitional.
 
And further. Unlike competitors offering passengers a more vertical landing, in Lanser you sit at home on the couch. Great.
 
We load weight
In terms of the carrying capacity, the picture is directly opposite. The main minus of Ulan you already know the lack of hatchback in the gamut. The classic sedan is traditionally not so practical because of a large loading height and a narrow trunk opening. And Lancer’s trunk itself has less than that of the Corolla (430 versus 437 l), and he also loses according to the transformation of the salon. The back of the sofa, although it folds in parts, but a flat loading platform from the bumper to the front seats still does not work. Access to the salon limits the luggage wall. Its central part is helpful, but in any case, this tunnel is suitable only for transporting long -meters. Strange decision.
 
The creators of the focus approached the issue of luggage transportation. A completely folding sofa can boast of both the sedan and hatchback, and, of course, the station wagon. In addition, a 4-door focus is equipped with a parallelogram mechanism for closing a huge (490 l) trunk, which does not threaten the luggage. While the massive loops of Lancer and the Corollah can steam the sides of the suitcases.
 
 
       
Both in spaciousness and in the transformation of the focus (photo from above) champion among sedans
 

The focus beats rivals with any body. Not only for the convenience of placing luggage, but also in its volume. The hatchback surpasses the Corolla with a slight advantage: 3501205 versus 2891190 liters. But the station wagon is significantly more spacious: 5201580 liters against 4021480 and 3441079 Lancer.
 
In addition, although the Caudan Korolla can now boast of the folding back of the sofa (five years ago one could only dream about it), the cargo platform is not even smooth formed a step.
 
Such different one and six
We are not told that gasoline engines with a volume of 1.6 liters for golf class are a golden mean between power, price and efficiency. But the motor is different. For example, a 108-horsepower in-line 16-valve four of the Corolla more gravitates to the suburban highway. It is not surprising that it is Toyota who has the best speed and acceleration indicators. It is difficult to blame the Toyota engine equipped with variable phases of gas distribution, in an excessively poor bottom. Another thing is that he lives a real life for a mark of 3,500 rpm and, cheerfully twisting to the red zone, asks for an increased gear. And when touched, you have to give the gas so that the motor is not too much.
 
The Lancer engine has a completely different disposition. Compared to the carismal engine, this one and six lost five horsepower, but added in traction, and what is important at low speeds. Even during the first acquaintance with Lancer on the roads of Finland, it seemed to me that such an exchange was only for the benefit of the car. After several days of communication with Ulan in the Greater City mode, I have no doubt about this.
 
With this engine, the car lives in the soul. Ignorance when choosing programs, confident traction literally from the revolution of the idle, and with all this very, very good acceleration. Behind the steeply Toyotoy Mitsubishi, maybe he will not be stolen, but the focus will put on the shoulder blades without problems.
 
  Because a 1.6-liter fate, hiding under the hood of Ford, a real veteran of the motor front. The version of the South American engine adapted to Russian conditions has only two valves per cylinder and one upper camshaft. Therefore, it is not necessary to demand something special from Rokam. However, it is not worth writing out frank outsiders. In terms of characteristics, he is closer to Lancer's traction than the steepness of the Corolla, and therefore is also more preferable in the city.
 
Losing to rivals in accelerated dynamics, the focus is inferior to the Japanese in the dynamics of slowdown. There are no complaints about Ford brakes in the standard modes. Another thing is that the a priori drums installed behind do not mean the best return at speeds over 140 km/h and a greater tendency to overheating.
 
Korolla with the rear discs does not have such a problem. But even Toyota in brake dynamics cannot compete with Lancer, the tenacious claws of which show an excellent result. Simple in communication, especially with regard to the dosage of the effort, the brake system seemed to migrate to Passenger Mitsubishi from racing evolves.
  
A worthy opponent
Thanks to a perfectly tuned steering wheel, a wonderful hard body and a smart rear suspension control, the focus from birth is considered the standard of controllability in the golf class. This Ford has a unique gift to turn any trip into pleasure: into a bakery, to work or on a bosom of nature. A pleasant severity of the steering wheel, the clear moves of the gearbox lever, what can we say about how the focus holds high -speed straight or divers in a turn! And here it does not even matter how many horsepower under the hood. One word buzz. In short, and at sunset career, the focus remains one of the best in the controllability class.
 
Why one of? Just in six years, other cars appeared on the market that could deliver joy to the sophisticated driver. Lancer is just one of them. If anything is missing Mitsubishi, then a pepper-hot steering wheel of a focus. But the inclinations of a large athlete are felt right away. This is a wonderful energy -intensive suspension, and a completely informative steering wheel, and a hard body. Therefore, even by car with a regular passenger suspension on powerful modifications, the Sports Clerence is reduced by 3 cm Lancer pleases with a clear arc in the bend and excellent, without swinging and screening stability on a high -speed straight line. Five is five.
 
Corolla against the background of two athletes is somewhat lost. Her character is safe and predictable without a doubt, simply not so exciting, not so verified. A little earlier than Ford and Mitsubishi, Corolla begins to give up in vihi, straightening the trajectory, slightly less mutual understanding with the power steering, leaving a lot behind the scenes. Despite the fact that the high -speed straight Japanese holds perfectly.
  
Smell
Alas, noise insulation is still not a priority for the creators of golf class machines. Therefore, the baritones of the engines are well audible in the salons, it is worth only the tachometer arrow to the mark of 3500 rpm. Another thing is that in focus this grunt annoys noticeably stronger, and begins a little earlier. By the way, in a small focus orchestric there is another annoying musician Standard tires of the continental-ooold contact.
 
As for the comfort of the suspension, here Corolla and Lancer are more careful about their passengers. Car suspensions are more pleasantly good than harsh. The balance between the energy intensity and the smoothness of the stroke of Japanese machines should be recognized as optimal.

Just like others
Having scored four stars in the EuroNCAP crash tests, Focus and Corolla greatly complicated the task of identifying the safest. The compilers of Russian configurations came to the rescue. Corolla in the database is equipped with ABS, frontal airbags and fasteners of children's seats isofix. Against the backdrop of the leaders of the class Reno-Magan and Peugeot 307, it is not God the news that. But after all, Focus has only a driver's bag in an obligatory program. ABS and additional pillows will have to fork out separately.
 
With Lancer, the situation is more confusing. He has not yet passed the crash tests of Euroncap. Moreover, representatives of the company do not particularly believe that the car will receive a four -star rating, after all, Lancer in any case is not equipped with side pillows. But, on the other hand, based on cases from real life, one cannot fail to note the desperate zeal of Lancer in the struggle for the life of the driver and passengers. In addition, ABS and Mitsubishi’s front pillows even have the simplest configuration. So the four with a minus Lancer in any case deserved.
 
So who is cheaper?
The Japanese and European approach to the sale of cars differ significantly. If Ford offers you an extensive list of additional equipment, then Toyota and Mitsubishi are traded in fixed trim levels. That is why, in order to correctly compare the price of cars, we used the specially designed template of the minimum acceptable equipment for the golf class of equipment. It looks as follows: ABS, 2 front airbags, air conditioning, front electric windows, central locking, heating the front seats, electric drive and heating of mirrors, radio, metallic enamel.
 
And this is what turns out. Almost completely (with the exception of the radio), this list corresponds to Lancer-Comfort. After a recent rise in price, such a sedan with a 1.6 liter engine will cost $ 15,490. For complete happiness for three hundred green, you can install Blaupunct, perfectly entering the interior of Lancer, with Lanser. The bad thing is that for a practical (and, in our opinion, more cute) station wagon, an unreasonably high overpayment of $ 1600 is necessary.
 
 
    
 
The lid of the trunk does not have upholstery trifle, but unpleasant

Massive loops can damage the luggage
 
  
The luggage wall limits the possibilities of transformation

Doors blocking is not visible outside

Double -mode heating buttons are logically located
 

Traditionally, the expensive Toyota also recently rose for the second time in a year. Now the 1.6-liter sedan in the R1 configuration costs $ 17,400, the hatchback is another 300 bucks more expensive. The only trouble is that in this fixed configuration there is no heating of seats and mirrors. These positions that are very important for the Russian winter are available only in the top version of the R2, which involves the automatic box. In any case, the minimum price of $ 20,300 does not seem too seductive.
    
 

 

A two-section box between the seats will fit for both coins and for CDs

Heating works either for two seats at once, or only on the driver's inconvenient
 
 
The displays of the radio and the climate block are not read in the best way

Rear electric windows of the prerogative of expensive version R2
 
 
The levers of the angle of the angle of the back and the height of the pillow is easy to confuse

On carrying capacity, 5-door Corolla loses very little to the station wagon

Well, now the word is most accessible, according to our compatriots, Ford. Well, at least, the focus package can be subjected to a tutel in a tutel to our request. The 1.6-liter hatchback equipped according to him will pull 12,910 euros, a sedan of 13,300 euros, and the station wagon is still plus 540. Great? No, not great. At the time of preparation of the material, the difference in the course of the main currencies in Russia did its black deed. And the focus of the Vsevolozhsk assembly costs $ 16,900! Almost one and a half thousand more expensive than Lancer and only $ 500 is cheaper than Toyota. So who is our most affordable?
 
 
 

The gas stops of the trunk on the sedan are safe for luggage

Contrary to the opinion of Ford dealers, the non -native radio fits perfectly into the interior
 
    
Heating of the seats, front glass, headlight washer nozzles, as well as an electric mirror electric drive, can only be obtained in a winter bag for 380 euros
 
 
From now on, there is normal upholstery of doors with pockets on all versions

A completely folding sofa provides an absolutely flat loading platform
 

Of course, the standard Japanese warranty conditions are traditionally more attractive than European ones. Three years or one hundred thousand against two years and the same 100,000 km of run.
    
We decided:
We promised you surprises. Surprisingly, the fact for the eyes considered the most affordable focus with a Russian passport was more expensive than a purebred Japanese. Of course, the Fords are not to blame for the growth of the euro, but they will have to resolve the price covers. Yes, the focus still remains exceptional by the car. Safe, quite spacious and lifting and, of course, able to pamper the driver of gambling. But the rising price can easily negate all the advantages. After all, the focus is inferior to Japanese classmates in comfort, and with a 1.6-liter engine and in dynamics. Moreover, it is difficult to close your eyes to the Russian origin of the car when imported cars are cheaper. We will not forget that already in 2004 in Europe the focus of the second generation starts, while Corolla and Lancer still live and live. So with an average rating of 4.1 () Ford occupies only a bronze line of the pedestal.
 
 
Silver, on the other hand, gets Corolla 4.2 (). This car simply does not have frankly weak places. And even the price against the background of the fall in the dollar is not so high. Another thing is that in none of Toyota’s categories she could reach the highest score, somewhere a drop, and somewhere more noticeably yielding to one or another classmate. However, by the sum of the advantages of competitors, Korolla once or two was expected.
 
 
One of them, of course, is Lancer, who occupies the first line in our test. Having won the Corolla a whole control score, Ulan returned it in the security rating. And therefore, a spurt at the finish line was provided by a more affordable price. But you must admit that Mitsubishi average an assessment of 4.3 () deserved a victory in a fair struggle. Spaces, controllability, comfort in these Lancer categories most important for the buyer is magnificent. It remains only to regret that those who will not like a very controversial appearance and inexpensive Lancer salon will not find out about the true values \u200b\u200bof this car.
 
 
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 
 
 

Source: Magazine "Limousine" [03/04]