New Mitsubishi Lancer on the roads of Singapore

Believe it or not, this is what it will look like on our roads. The new model, soon to be dubbed the Lancer EX, will be launched by Cycle and Carriage on the 10th of August. Of course, we brought it out for a short spin prior to the launch. What’s even more startling, is that the new EX has its roots set deep in the platform of the Mitsubishi Outlander. A whole lot bigger and terribly spacious by Lancer standards, the new car is greatly refined to almost European standards.

The cabin is quiet, comfortable and much more sophisticated – a big jump for Mitsubishi!

The top of the line variant, the Lancer GT, will get sportier styling, sharper lines, wider fenders and it will sit lower down on the ground. Going for $77,988, the GT also features a 5 speed manual to suit those who are game for an engaging drive.

The GT we sampled featured wonderfully precise and well weighted gear shift mechanisms. Even the steering was nicely weighted, totally eliminating any of that “Japanese lightness” that previous Lancers, or even Toyotas for that matter, are known for.

The engine was extremely willing to rev, and the smoothness of it all was again, mind boggling. One recalls the K20A engine of the Euro R Accord.

This 2 litre Lancer, equipped with the 4B-11 that shares its character with a Dodge Caliber, will also be available with a Continuously Variable Transmission, and will retail for $79,988.

If 2.0 4 pot engines are too much for you to swallow, then you’ll be happy to know that the new Lancer EX comes in 1.5 litre variants that go for $62,988 (Elegance model), and $64,888 for the sportier variant.

While the current Lancer GLX is only available as a 1.6-litre model, it will continue to sell for at least another 3 more years.

This decision was taken in a bid to direct the Lance EX in the face of the Nissan Sylphy, Mazda 3, Honda Civic, and other cars in this class. It will also fill the gap between the entry level Lancer and the bigger, more expensive Outlander, effectively replacing the long extinct Galant (after all, it is called the Galant Fortis in Japan) in the process.

Here are some photos: