The Mitsubishi brand, known for its excellent transmission and rally performance, tied up with the CK Birla Group Company Hindustan Motors to sell their ''hot cake'' Lancer in India. The rally-proven engine technology is still the choice of many. Its tried-and-tested safety and transmission mechanisms have proved that Mitsubishi is a performer in its class.
The Mitsubishi Lancer was quite the standard of the class at one point, but now, it has not only been outshone by competitors both above and below it, but the premium C-segment it used to rule has pretty much disappeared. Mitsubishi has made some changes, but the Lancer has started to fall behind more modern entries.
The competitors for the Lancer are Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Optra and Honda City.

Engine:
The car is powered by a heady 1.5-litre petrol engine that returns 86 bhp at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 132.3 Nm at 3,300 rpm. The car comes mated to an excellent 5-speed manual transmission. The gear ratio is tall and storms the vehicle in no time. This 1,468cc petrol engine is not only powerful and robust, but extremely smooth as well. It is an ideal mate for city drives and long cruises.
The 2.0-litre naturally aspirated diesel engine returns a decent 67 bhp and only 122.5 Nm of torque, but performs exceptionally well on road. Coupled with a tall gearbox, this diesel engine is easy to drive in the stop-and-go city traffic. It is also as silent as a petrol car, using the ''Super Silent Shaft Technology.''

Exteriors:
The sedan-racer looks of the Lancer are enhanced by the rear bumper that features a diffuser undersurface in a distinctive design, and corners that are shaped to stabilise air flow detachment and reduce drag. An integral molding features the new front bumper that houses an oversize multi-slatted grille to raise engine cooling efficiency. Unwanted openings on the undersurface of the bumper have been closed off to reduce air resistance. Lancer''s sharp lines and rolling curves set it in a class apart. In the exterior, a flowing symmetry noticeably balanced with geometric accents makes it an attention grabber.

Interiors:
The interiors are a big disappointment after the promising exterior: the cabin looks dull, uses drab grey plastics, and though it is well designed and ergonomically sound, it''s some way behind the high-quality interiors we''ve come to expect. All controls are neatly laid out and fall easily to hand. The instrument cluster is clear and legible. The aircon controls however are a little small.
You get good amount of space. There is decent legroom all-round and the comfortable seats are a definite plus. The AC works well and has dedicated vents for the rear passengers. Boot space is good but rear seats however, don’t have a facility to fold for more space.
Only two variants are available both of which are fully loaded. You get AC, power steering, power windows, central locking, rear defogger and a CD player as standard.

Ride and Handling:
The Lancer is, not surprisingly, a very good driver''s car, with lovely, neutral handling, near-perfect steering that is light at low speeds and puts on weight as you push, and great precision in its dynamics.
Its ride isn''t as good though, not too bad at low speeds but fairly bouncy as you go faster. It''s an excellent car to drive through corners, where it is fluid and predictable, but its highway stability is poor, and it tends to wander all over the road.

Safety:
At this price band, it is an utter shame that this car only has seatbelts as far as safety is concerned. Needs airbags atleast.

Fuel Economy:
 The 1.5L Petrol engine  manages to give a decent fuel economy figures of 9.5 kmpl in city and 14.5 kmpl on the highway while,  the 2.0L Diesel engine gives a mileage of  11.5 kmpl in city and 15.5 kmpl on Highway.
Variants, Price and Colors
The Lancer rolls out a 1.5 LXi BS 3 petrol and 2.0L Diesel LX BS 3 diesel variants.

Ex-Showroom Prices
1.5 LXi BS3- Rs.733,000
2.0 LXd BS3- Rs.811,000
The Lancer is available in 5 colors namely Black Onyx, Simply Red, Liquid Green, Warm Silver and Scotia White.
The Lancer has a good refined engine, has low-speed driveability and  is reliable but Interiors are drab, the handling is not great and the car''s getting old too.

Our Verdict:
There are more exciting cars around for same amount of money, but reliability is Lancer’s strength.