Test drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 2005 - 2007 sedan

It's all about details

Mitsubishi Lancer slightly fading his nose

After the premiere of the current, ninth in a row, only two years have passed the Mitsubishi Lancer generation. The deadline is not so hot, but still the Japanese decided to conduct a light restyling of their most chassis model (in our country, more than 43 thousand people managed to get this car). Although you should immediately make a reservation in this article will not have a word about any serious changes in the appearance or in the design of the car, and for a very banal reason they simply do not have no.

The Japanese conducted this restyling in the best traditions of a modern auto design, the main principle of which has recently become minimalism ... in costs, or rather strict savings. However, it is quite possible that there are other, more good reasons for this, although the expediency of such suspenders is very controversial.

There have been a lot of similar metamorphoses in recent years, it is enough to recall the next coming of the updated Ford Mondeo with other headlights and bumpers. So this time, the designers did not spoil Lancer's original appearance with their intervention. By and large, their work was limited to the installation of a pair of new strokes on the front of the body, nothing more, so only the most observant can distinguish a new version from the previous one. The main and main changes in appearance, a slightly increased radiator grille and a slightly crowded front bumper. Here, in fact, is all (new designs of decorative caps of wheeled wheels and casting do not count). In general, one can confidently say the same, the same, pleasant to the eye, rather harmonious, stylish, but, unfortunately, the already morally obsolete Mitsubishi Lancer, which they meet daily on city streets, will be confident.

There are more changes in the cabin, but in this case the visual effects here are in a clear minority. The fact that the updated Japanese began to look fresh and more interesting from the inside is a fact. However, the taste and color, as you know ... The titanium finish of the front panel, the lever of the gearbox and the windows control unit replaced the inserts to the polished black tree, the fabric on the seats has become better, in addition, the internal upholstery of the lid has now appeared on all the sedans. trunk ... Otherwise, everything is still comfortable and pleasant, everything in its place, everything is at hand. In the cabin with acceptable comfort, four people will be shed, 430 liters of luggage will fit into the cargo compartment, and the back of the rear sofa separated in the proportion of 2: 1 will allow you to simultaneously transport a couple of ski sets, and place at least two passengers in the cabin. The materials are inexpensive, but at the same time high -quality, and there are no complaints about execution. However, there are comments: in the process of restyling, the Japanese would not hurt to change the shape of the central headrest of the back of the second row, which completely closes the review to the driver.

All the main innovations affected the lists of equipment of both standard and additional, as well as configuration options. The most budget Lancer Invite for $ 14,490, as before, will be equipped with a 1.3-liter 82-horsepower four, aggregated with a 5-speed mechanical KP, ABS, a pair of airbags, air conditioning, heating seats, as well as electric drives of glasses and mirrors. Invite+ was included in the new performance of the side pillows, the leather finish of the steering wheel and the KP handle, as well as the climate control. Outside, decorative thresholds and foglights will be installed on such a car. In the more advanced version of Instyle will appear cast 15-inch Oz Racing discs, aerodynamic bumpers and sports steering wheel from EVO VIII in the cabin. And in the most sophisticated Intense equipment, in addition to the 2-liter 135-horsepower engine (and all of the above above), 16-inch cast wheels, sports suspension and the corresponding styling package may include.

As before, the buyer is offered to choose three gasoline engines with a volume of 1.3 to 2 liters and two transmission options. Moreover, if only cars with a 1.6-liter power unit with a capacity of 98 hp were equipped with an automatic machine until recently, then by the end of the year, the proprietary adaptive automatic transmission of INVECS-II with manual mode will be offered to Lancer with a 2-liter engine. Nevertheless, the most popular option will still remain a car with a 1.6-liter 12-valve engine that develops the maximum 150 Nm of torque for 4000 rpm of the crankshaft, it visited the editorial test.

No changes in power units, transmission and suspension design occurred, so Mitsubishi behavior was not a revelation. Nevertheless, this sedan once again made it possible to make sure that the striking balance of the characteristics of the Lancer. Of course, he is not enough stars from heaven, but you will not often find such a successful price ratio among new developments often.

Of course, 98 horses with this volume for the modern representative of the golf class, frankly, is low, but thanks to the optimally selected gear ratio of the box, he goes no worse than most of his competitors. The programs are easily and clearly switched, the passes of the IAA lever are minimal ... As a result, for $ 15,490, the buyer receives a frisky city car, which also obviously obeys the steering wheel and effectively slows down. On a good coating, the car rides quite smoothly, but on the bumps the suspension imprisoned under our roads is uncompromising, so it shocks significantly. The situation also exacerbate the situation and rather rigid seats, but in our conditions, the manufacturer, as a rule, is small in either acceptable resource indicators or passenger comfort. In general, it is gratifying that Lancer did not lose his advantages and, as before, leaves very pleasant impressions of the management of them.

That, in fact, is all. Many will now ask a completely logical question why in this case restyling? And they themselves will find a quite logical answer for additional stimulation of demand. Russia for Mitsubishi the front is more than significant, because, unlike the rest of Europe, Lancer, we have a chassis (and more than 40,000 cars sold for two years of this). But no matter how successful this model may be, its potential will eventually be exhausted, and given the acute competition in the class (which, with the advent of the more budget Focus II, Lacetti, Spectra, etc. . However, is it worth blaming the Japanese for such a beaten marketing move? Unlikely. Firstly, as you know, they are not looking for good from good, to radically redo the popular model without good reason frankly stupid. In addition, Mitsubishi is not affordable today. Secondly, such sins are found behind many manufacturers. It is enough to recall that about a year ago, Toyota presented a new generation of Corolla with a slightly reflected exterior, after a couple of months Hyundai shook the faces of almost all its models represented in our market, and Ford did the same, updating Maverick, Explorer, and then already mentioned Mondeo ... in general, as they say, the trend is evident. Well, thirdly, it is worth noting that, unlike, for example, the same Hyundai Mitsubishi did not consider this facelifting the reason for changing the price tags The cost of the base Lancer remained the same. However, miracles, as you know, do not happen in the world, and one way or another, the buyer will still have to pay, because the climate control will always be more expensive than the air conditioner.

Text: Vladimir Zhidkov
 
 

A source: Mkobil magazine [07.11.2005]