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:

Mazda Demio a.k.a. Mazda 2 On Sale In Japan

The long awaited Mazda 2 now is on sale at Japan.

Mazda has named this model to be known as Demio, targeting a higher sale of 5,000 units per month compared with previous total sale of 1,040,000 units on its predecessor model in Japanese market.
This model weight 100kg less targeted to have a 54mpg fuel efficiency while running a 1.3L MZR Miller-cycle engine with optional CVT.
Below is the press released copied from Mazda source:
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the Japanese launch of the fully redesigned Mazda Demio (known overseas as the all-new Mazda2) which goes on sale at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealers throughout Japan from today, July 5, 2007. The target sales volume for the all-new Demio is 5,000 units a month. Prices range from 1,125,000 to 1,580,000 yen (including tax).
The first generation Mazda Demio went on sale in August 1996. It heralded a new trend in the compact car segment for exceptional space and functionality in a conveniently compact vehicle. The second generation Demio improved on the characteristically Mazda-like driving dynamics and became a popular choice for many consumers. As of May 2007, the Demio had a total production volume in Japan of over 1,040,000 units and has become Mazda's biggest selling model in the Japanese market. The all-new third generation Demio was developed using a "personal smart commuter" concept, with the emphasis on emerging modern values such as increased concern for environmental and safety issues and a greater emphasis on design.
The all-new Demio offers driver-friendly functionality and packaging as well as individual styling that makes you want to get in and drive it. The design team aimed to inherit the fun-to-drive Zoom-Zoom DNA that is common to all Mazda vehicles and balance it with top class fuel economy, safety performance and comfort levels. By completely redesigning the body and chassis, the new Demio is around 100 kilograms lighter than the previous model*. The Demio 13C-V grade combines Mazda's newly developed, naturally aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle engine with continuously variable transmission (CVT) to achieve top class 10-15 mode fuel efficiency of 23.0 km/L (rated by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport [MLIT]). This represents an improvement of approximately 20 percent over the previous model*. All model grades also offer superb environmental performance, with emissions at least 75 percent lower than Japan's 2005 standards.
Mazda's Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Hisakazu Imaki, said, "The all-new Mazda Demio is a core global model and it is intended to accelerate our progress toward achieving the objectives set out in the Mazda Advancement Plan, our new mid-term plan announced in March of this year. Furthermore, this is our very first product that embodies "advanced Zoom-Zoom", offering harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features, based on our long-term technology development vision, 'Sustainable Zoom-Zoom.' At Mazda, we will continue to drive our business forward through product-led growth and, at the same time, enhance our efforts to develop environmental and safety technologies to help realize a sustainable future."

Source and Picture: Autoblog
Article: Me