The Mitsubishi Lancer has certainly come a long way since it was introduced in the Philippines and elsewhere way back in the 1970’s. Readers of this blog of a certain age may remember that th “L-Type” Lancer with its Saturn engine was the preferred car used by Metro Manila street racers. Or what about the “box-type” Lancer which dominated the Philippine car scene during much of the 1980’s?
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines chose the opening day of the First Philippine International Motor Show to introduce the ninth-generation Lancer to Pinoy motorists eager to get their hands on this sedan.
Now, a brief introduction to this new Lancer model:
“In 2005, Mitsubishi revealed the Concept-X model car at the Tokyo Motor Show and its Concept-Sportback model at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Lancer is based on these two concepts. The new Lancer was officially revealed in January 2007 at the Detroit Motor Show and went on sale in North American markets on March 2007.”
Mitsubishi Motors wants the all-new Lancer, with its new design and larger size, to break free from its earlier reputation as an entry-level sedan into something much, much sexier:
“First seen as a concept almost two years ago, the new wedge-shaped Lancer has distinctive looks because of its ’shark’s nose’ and slim headlamps. The menacing mien is intentional, says its chief designer, because Mitsubishi wanted a radical departure from the ‘weary and cliched’ sedan.”
How the 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer EX looks from the rear.
At the heart of this 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer is a 4B11 double-overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve engine, equipped with MIVEC (for Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control), with a displacement of 1,998 cc. and with an output of 155 hp. at 6,000 RPM. A 1.5 liter model is also available but I don’t know if Philippine Lancer customers will be able to buy one.
Let’s take a look at this new Lancer’s interior, shall we?
The steering wheel and dashboard. I forgot to add: the 2007 Lancer (also referred to by some as the 2008 Lancer) comes with either 5-speed manual transmission or an automatic tranny fitted with INVECS III (for Intelligent & Innovative Vehicle Electronic Control System) continuously variable trasmission (CVT) technology.
The rear passenger seats.