What Is It?
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
What's Special About It?
Small, sporty wagons are in, witness the Protegé5, Pontiac Vibe /Toyota Matrix twins and Ford Focus ZX5. Evidently, Mitsubishi was paying attention and decided to bring out a wagon version of the Lancer. Called the Sportback, this little hauler comes not with the lame engine in the base Lancer, but with the 162-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline four with variable valve timing that will come on the Lancer Ralliart sedan. With most cars in this class having engines averaging 2 liters, the brawny 2.4 should put the Sportback in the thick of the stoplight drags.
Two trim levels will be offered, the mainstream LS and the radical Ralliart. The LS will have four-wheel disc brakes as well as stabilizer bars fore and aft. Similar to the SVT Focus or Mazdaspeed Protegé, the Ralliart will have the full tuner treatment, including sport suspension, 16-inch alloys fitted with low-profile (205/50) rubber, front strut tower brace, the full-on sport seats from the Lancer Evolution and the obligatory simulated carbon-fiber interior accents.
The more practical and less exciting aspects of the Sportback include over 42 cubic feet of cargo space, a power point in the cargo area and several storage compartments.
Pricing for the Sportback was not available as of press time.
Why Should You Care?
Mitsubishi's Lancer may finally get some love from our staff; a powerful engine and a tight suspension tend to have that effect among driving enthusiasts. This could be a big car for Mitsubishi. — John DiPietro
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
What's Special About It?
Small, sporty wagons are in, witness the Protegé5, Pontiac Vibe /Toyota Matrix twins and Ford Focus ZX5. Evidently, Mitsubishi was paying attention and decided to bring out a wagon version of the Lancer. Called the Sportback, this little hauler comes not with the lame engine in the base Lancer, but with the 162-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline four with variable valve timing that will come on the Lancer Ralliart sedan. With most cars in this class having engines averaging 2 liters, the brawny 2.4 should put the Sportback in the thick of the stoplight drags.
Two trim levels will be offered, the mainstream LS and the radical Ralliart. The LS will have four-wheel disc brakes as well as stabilizer bars fore and aft. Similar to the SVT Focus or Mazdaspeed Protegé, the Ralliart will have the full tuner treatment, including sport suspension, 16-inch alloys fitted with low-profile (205/50) rubber, front strut tower brace, the full-on sport seats from the Lancer Evolution and the obligatory simulated carbon-fiber interior accents.
The more practical and less exciting aspects of the Sportback include over 42 cubic feet of cargo space, a power point in the cargo area and several storage compartments.
Pricing for the Sportback was not available as of press time.
Why Should You Care?
Mitsubishi's Lancer may finally get some love from our staff; a powerful engine and a tight suspension tend to have that effect among driving enthusiasts. This could be a big car for Mitsubishi. — John DiPietro
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