Mitsubishi has officially confirmed that the five-door Lancer Sportback will be available in the U.S. this summer as a 2010 model.
The five-door Lancer Sportback shares everything with the sedan variant from the C-pillar forward. Behind the C-pillar the Sportback gets a unique rear end. The overall length is slightly longer than the sedan and offers more cargo carrying capacity.
The version to have is the Sportback Ralliart that is powered by a 237 horsepower 2.0L turbocharged MIVEC engine. All-wheel-drive is standard as well as the six-speed Twin Clutch-Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST).
Pricing will be announced closer to the Sportback's on sale date.
PRESS RELEASE:
Mitsubishi Motors Brings Versatile New Five-Door Sportback To Award-Winning U.S. Lancer Lineup
Mitsubishi Motors North America today confirmed that the versatile all-new five-door Lancer Sportback will arrive in U.S. dealerships this summer for the 2010 model year. The Sportback will meld high performance and progressive design with an extra dose of utility to feed the most active lifestyles. The newest member of the multiple award-winning Lancer family is part of Mitsubishi's refocused efforts to introduce new models designed to meet evolving consumer demands. MSRP will be announced nearer to its summer on-sale date.
"American consumers are increasingly asking for fun, attractive, yet practical cars that complement their active and individual lifestyles," said Dan Kuhnert, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mitsubishi Motors North America. "The Lancer Sportback answers those calls with a heady mix of performance, aggressive styling and the bonus of greatly increased utility, and will be available in two versions - the economical GTS and high-performance Ralliart. The five-door platform has considerable upside potential in the domestic market."
Mitsubishi designers created a dynamic new shape for the Sportback that is instantly recognizable as a Lancer from the front, with its signature "jet fighter" grille, while being completely fresh from the C-pillar rearward. The key element is a sleekly sloping rear door with integrated "roof wing" that creates a visually distinctive shape while making the Lancer significantly more versatile. The door extends down to the rear bumper to make loading cumbersome objects like surfboards, camping gear and bicycles as easy as possible.
The Sportback's overall length is just slightly longer than the Lancer four-door sedan, yet it gains substantial cargo-carrying flexibility-especially when the 60:40-split rear seats are folded flat. One-touch auto-folding rear seats make the newfound space almost effortless to configure. To add still more volume, the rear cargo-area floor of the GTS version can be cleverly lowered three inches, yielding 52.7 cubic ft. maximum cargo space. The roof will also conveniently accommodate a plug-in Thule® Sport Rack for additional flexibility.
The Sportback's basic architecture, technical features and most optional equipment is shared with the Lancer sedan, a winner of several awards, including:
J.D. Power and Associates' 2008 Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study, naming the touch-screen interface system an industry-leader and the first non-premium brand to ever capture the award
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
IIHS Top Safety Pick
CNET Editors' Choice (Lancer Evolution)
MSN Top-10 New Cars
Sportback GTS models feature Mitsubishi's efficient 2.4-liter engine with 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a five-speed manual or six-speed CVT automatic transmission.
The Sportback Ralliart is powered by a 2.0-liter MIVEC turbocharged engine that pumps out 237 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. All-Wheel Control (AWC) with Active Center Differential (ACD) is standard, as is the quick-shifting six-speed Twin Clutch-Sportronic® Shift Transmission (TC-SST) that it shares with the Lancer Evolution. Both the CVT and Twin-Clutch transmissions include magnesium-alloy paddle shifters.
Premium interior features like those found on the Lancer sedans are also part of the Sportback's resume. Key components in the Ralliart version include a standard 140-watt CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers or an available 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate Premium Sound System, in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability, plus Sirius Satellite Radio. A hard disc-drive navigation system with Mitsubishi's exclusive Diamond Lane Guidance to provide route guidance is optional, as are Recaro sport seats that provide optimal support for the driver and front passenger.
The Lancer Sportback also formed the basis for Mitsubishi's 2009 Dakar Rally effort earlier this year. The Dakar is the most grueling rally race in the world and Mitsubishi vehicles have won the event 12 times since their first attempt in 1983.
As an important test bed for future technology, the Racing Lancers used at the Dakar reflected Mitsubishi's ongoing efforts to minimize the automobile's environmental footprint with such features as clean diesel power, bio-fuel capability and plant-based "green plastic" body components.
Comments (17)
looks great on the outside... im pretty sure the inside will look like crap
Posted by dub | January 30, 2009 4:11 PM
Posted on January 30, 2009 16:11
looks great on the outside... im pretty sure the inside will look like crap
Posted by dub | January 30, 2009 4:12 PM
Posted on January 30, 2009 16:12
I think the outside looks like crap. Especially that back end, doesn't help with that scoop either, reminds me of those ugly sun/rain guards people put over the windshield of their RV. What is up with those three lights in the bumper, then black rims? That angle makes it look like a thumb. I don't think this car could even look good in black.
but it does have a Clutch-Sportronic transmission, and a tubo 2.0l that is wound up as tight as a dremel tool by a turbo squeeking 237Hp with 0 torque. So, you can rev it to 20000 rpm and pop the clutch and chirp the little black tires! weeee
Not impressed, (obviously)..
Posted by sparky | January 30, 2009 4:22 PM
Posted on January 30, 2009 16:22
sparky,
253 lb-ft is very different from 0.
And since they are getting """"only"""" 237 hp from a 2.0 turbo, the turbo is mostly their to promote torque.
It doesnt say on the article, but my bet is that the turbo has a variable geometrical structure, so it can kick in from very low rpm and still work well in high rpm.
If thats the case, it could easily get a flat torque curve from 1500 to 5000 rpm.. (little penalty on the final HP though)
Other than that, you can make a beast out of it with a simple chip mod.... (it already has the twin clutch, the AWD, and a low pressure turbo, how much easier can it get???)
Posted by Rafael | January 30, 2009 5:55 PM
Posted on January 30, 2009 17:55
I certainly think this looks better than the Subaru but dub is right, the inside probably looks pretty bad.
Also, I have a hard time trusting mitchibitchi, those twin clutch tranny's are cool and all, but they start spittin metal chips if you work em hard. VW has the same problem with those with anyone who works them hard. Good ole fashion shifter with a foot operated clutch is the way to go.
Posted by zippy | January 30, 2009 6:42 PM
Posted on January 30, 2009 18:42
Me thinks rear visibility is going to be crap....
Just no, no, no, no....
Reminds me alot of the Audi wagons (like an A4 Avant).
I don't even know why the Sti and Evo come in 4 door hatch designs...and NOT a coupe...
Posted by Brian | January 31, 2009 5:43 AM
Posted on January 31, 2009 05:43
Because they're basing their body-designs on the heritage of rally-cars, not sport coupes. It would place them in competition with different vehicles, and besides, the EVO and STi already perform magnificently.
Posted by Joan of Arc | January 31, 2009 4:40 PM
Posted on January 31, 2009 16:40
I had a 1st gen Talon AWD back in the day. They’ve taken what the learned from the early Eclipses and transferred back to the original DNA. At the same time they abandoned they’re genetically modified sports coupe, that for the time period had looks going for it. While this car is fine what it is, a hopped up grocery getter, they should focus they’re efforts for the Eclipse as the performance brand. They might even sell more cars as most of the population lives in or near urban areas not off dirt roads. The rally car hand is played out and the competition has caught and surpassed it on the paved track and streets. So if you live in places where the weather provides poor road conditions these cars are a good fit otherwise they’re just too damn goofy looking to be taken seriously for anyone that’s out grown the fast and furious.
@Rafael:
Do you have any idea what a VVT turbo cost for a gasoline engine? They’re around $20k which would effectively double the cost of this glorified eco box. The turbo is probably just a little larger than the one that VW uses for its 2.0. In the VW that is good for virtually no lag and it’s gassed about the same time that peak power is being achieved. The result is a small engine that feels and drives like a modest V6. This car makes plenty of power for what it is. It’s no thoroughbred but it’s certainly not under powered either.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | January 31, 2009 7:05 PM
Posted on January 31, 2009 19:05
@RX7
While i completely agree with you the car is NOT underpowered (therefore the " " on the only).
I have to disagree about the cost of the VVT turbo... 80% of the pickup trucks here (brazil) come with it on there diesel engines and the price for an entry level (with this engine and turbo) would be around 25k USD... (I know its VERY expensive.. ). So the turbo CANT cost that much...
Since you mentioned VW, I'm very inclined to think they use a VVT turbo too.. Cause if you check the specs, MAX torque is at 1700 rpm.... an max HP is at 5100rpm... I see no way of the happening using a normal turbo... but.. i could be wrong though...
Posted by Rafael | February 1, 2009 1:22 PM
Posted on February 1, 2009 13:22
I don't know why they are selling this hatch. The sedan actually looks really good and this is just plain ugly. Still, even the hatch here looks better than the Impreza.
Posted by gm0n3y | February 2, 2009 2:26 PM
Posted on February 2, 2009 14:26
@Rafael
On a diesel that is true, they have much lower exhaust temps. On a gasoline engine you must use exotic parts to create a VVT turbo. The only cars with them that I'm aware of are the Porsche 911 turbo's.
VW use a very small turbo, the Borg-Warner KKK03. This is why peak torque is so low and they have virtually no lag. They can't even safely maintain 7lbs of boost through the entire rev range. Those engines are also high compression engines and the boost starts to fall off even before peak hp is reached.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | February 2, 2009 6:30 PM
Posted on February 2, 2009 18:30
Fail....
Whats with all that reflectant lighting on the back bumper? When are just tail-lights not enough?
Kinda looks like that Subaru S.U.V from the back to me...
Posted by Bradford | February 4, 2009 11:01 PM
Posted on February 4, 2009 23:01
Maybe it can compete with the new Toyota Versa.....
Posted by Bradford | February 4, 2009 11:02 PM
Posted on February 4, 2009 23:02
hey guys!
i know that the back is ugly as hell....BUT...it is an evo eccept for the twin ball bearing turbo,the "wide body" and bembo brakes. it is the same thing inside. i'm very pleased to have bought that for the wife..LOL.
It is a beast, awd @ 465hp. (gt30r turbo upgrade). you can say whatever you want on the back but the front is what it matters! (at least for me...you wont even have the time to see me pass, but you will see me comin'...)
Posted by DKgrafix | November 28, 2009 12:49 AM
Posted on November 28, 2009 00:49
i just bought one and it is dope inside and out it looks clean when u tint the taillights and the middle light on the bumper is gone and the side ones are just reflectors the inside is great i just wish the back two seats had light all and all i love it
Posted by murph55 | December 3, 2009 2:41 PM
Posted on December 3, 2009 14:41
I own a 2010 SB ralli Art ........
Man it drives nice n it actually pick up really good... I'm glad I traded in my 2009 srt 8 charger I'm glad I did happy with my new 2010 SB ralli art
Posted by Mitsu | April 2, 2010 10:42 PM
Posted on April 2, 2010 22:42
I own a 2010 SB ralli Art ........
Man it drives nice n it actually pick up really good... I'm glad I traded in my 2009 srt 8 charger I'm glad I did happy with my new 2010 SB ralli art
Posted by Mitsu | April 2, 2010 10:43 PM
Posted on April 2, 2010 22:43