Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
MSRP*
$24,098.00
Fuel Economy
City
10.4
L/100K
10.4
L/100K
Highway
7.4
L/100K
7.4
L/100K
Vehicle Dimensions (mm)
4585
1760
2635
1515
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback GTS 5MT |
|
|---|---|
| Fuel City | 10.4L/100K |
| Fuel Highway | 7.4L/100K |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Max Power | 125 KW 168 HP |
| Body Type | Hatchback |
| Number of Doors | 5 |
| Engine | 2.4l |
| Drive Wheels | Front Wheel Drive |
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback GTS / Ralliart Road Test Review
The old Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback was a pretty ugly duckling. For 2009 though, the Sportback didn’t transform into a beautiful swan,
but a big predatory raptor that makes you think keeping your cat indoors is a good idea.
There is a wide gap between the base Sportback GTS and the hot-hatch Sportback Ralliart, yet both are solid in their segments. From the rear seat forward, a Sportback is exactly the same as a standard Lancer. What you get for $500 on top of the cost of an equally equipped sedan is an extra 1,000 liters or so of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and a much wider cargo opening. This gives a “compact car” the ability to haul furniture-sized objects a trunk just won’t handle – without rope and scratches on the bottom of the trunk-lid.
The new Lancer is already a good-looking car, and the Sportback has a better profile than the sedan. The extended roofline and larger rear-end gives the Sportback a sort of organic, reptilian look.
Especially the Ralliart version – that wide-open grille will eat plenty of bugs every summer.
The Sportback starts with the sedan’s top-end GTS trim at $23,495, featuring a good list of equipment to make it worth the money.
The new Lancer interior is ergonomically sound and comfortable. It does fall short of the segment’s best in terms of overall perceived quality, but it looks good and is easy to live with.
On the road the front-wheel drive GTS is a fun runabout, with responsive steering and a planted feel. Handling is quite good while maintaining a descent ride. The 168hp and 167 lb-ft of torque from the 2.4L inline-four allow you to have fun with the five-speed manual transmission (a CVT automatic is available for an extra $1,300).
The Sportback Ralliart is a very different animal. It’s a lot more money at $33,498, but truly is a tuned down version of the mighty Lancer Evolution. It has a single scroll turbo instead of double, a smaller intercooler and a smaller intake, yet still gets 237hp and 253 lb-ft of torque out of a little 2.0L inline-four. It has all-wheel drive, with Mitsubishi’s Active Centre Differential Control (ACD) that moves torque between the front and rear depending on conditions. The ACD has three driver-selected modes being tarmac, gravel and snow. Active Stability Control (ASC) and ABS will help slow things down if the ACD puts the power down too well.
The Ralliart’s only transmission adds to its techno sophistication, being a twin-clutch six-speed sequential manual with and normal and sport modes, and steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
Alternatively, it can be used just like an automatic too. On the inside the Ralliart gets the same steering wheel as the Evolution and aggressive Recaro seats.
The Ralliart is a unique feeling car. It is well planted thanks to the firm suspension and all-wheel drive, yet is snappy and light feeling in the corners. Changing modes in the transmission and all-wheel drive system give noticeable differences to the performance and driving character of the car. Impressively for a small engine, the Ralliart will pull well at low rpm, and quickly build power until you’re blipping through the gears like you’re playing your Playstation 3, only its real.
As competition, the Sportback GTS would stand beside a Mazda3 Sport, Toyota Matrix and Volkswagen Rabbit. The Sportback Ralliart would be headed against the MazdaSpeed3 and the Subaru WRX. Either car deserves your attention.
 |
| For 2009 the Lancer Sportback has transformed into a cool, predatory-looking machine. The Lancer Ralliart has a particularly fierce appearance. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press) |
There is a wide gap between the base Sportback GTS and the hot-hatch Sportback Ralliart, yet both are solid in their segments. From the rear seat forward, a Sportback is exactly the same as a standard Lancer. What you get for $500 on top of the cost of an equally equipped sedan is an extra 1,000 liters or so of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and a much wider cargo opening. This gives a “compact car” the ability to haul furniture-sized objects a trunk just won’t handle – without rope and scratches on the bottom of the trunk-lid.
The new Lancer is already a good-looking car, and the Sportback has a better profile than the sedan. The extended roofline and larger rear-end gives the Sportback a sort of organic, reptilian look.
 |
| The interior is ergonomically sound and comfortable, making it easy to live with. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America) |
The Sportback starts with the sedan’s top-end GTS trim at $23,495, featuring a good list of equipment to make it worth the money.
The new Lancer interior is ergonomically sound and comfortable. It does fall short of the segment’s best in terms of overall perceived quality, but it looks good and is easy to live with.
On the road the front-wheel drive GTS is a fun runabout, with responsive steering and a planted feel. Handling is quite good while maintaining a descent ride. The 168hp and 167 lb-ft of torque from the 2.4L inline-four allow you to have fun with the five-speed manual transmission (a CVT automatic is available for an extra $1,300).
 |
| The Ralliart Sportback has a turbocharged 2.0L inline-four that produces 237hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America) |
The Ralliart’s only transmission adds to its techno sophistication, being a twin-clutch six-speed sequential manual with and normal and sport modes, and steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
 |
| The rear of the Sportback has an organic quality, and provides enough cargo space to move furniture-sized objects. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press) |
The Ralliart is a unique feeling car. It is well planted thanks to the firm suspension and all-wheel drive, yet is snappy and light feeling in the corners. Changing modes in the transmission and all-wheel drive system give noticeable differences to the performance and driving character of the car. Impressively for a small engine, the Ralliart will pull well at low rpm, and quickly build power until you’re blipping through the gears like you’re playing your Playstation 3, only its real.
As competition, the Sportback GTS would stand beside a Mazda3 Sport, Toyota Matrix and Volkswagen Rabbit. The Sportback Ralliart would be headed against the MazdaSpeed3 and the Subaru WRX. Either car deserves your attention.
Interior
- Dashboard
- Tachometer
- Clock
- Luxury trim: leather on shifter, carbon
fiber look on doors and carbon fiber
look on dashboard - Cargo area cover
- Front seat center armrest
- Front seat: driver heated sports ;
details: manual height adj. and manual
titl adj., front seat: passenger heated
sports - Leather steering wheel ; includes
tilting adjustment - Cupholders in front row and rear seats
- Air conditioning with auto fully
automated climate control - Fixed rear window with defroster and
intermittent wiper - Floor console
- Audio Connectivity: AUX jack
- 6 speakers
- Remote audio controls: steering wheel
mounted - Cruise control
- Delayed/fade courtesy lights
- Driver and passenger vanity mirror
- Service interval indicator
- External temperature
- Trip computer: includes average speed,
average fuel consumption, instantaneous
fuel consumption and range for remaining
fuel - Floor mats
- Seat upholstery: upgraded cloth
- Rear seat center armrest
- Rear seats: split-folding bench with
seating for three - Power steering
- Ventilation system with cabin filter
- Rear view mirror
- Front power windows with 1 express, rear
power windows - Fuel consumption: city= 10.4 (L/100km);
highway= 7.4 (L/100km); combined= 9.1
(L/100km); vehicle range: 652 km / 405
miles - Seating: 5 seats
- Audio system with AM/FM/satellite radio,
CD player (reads MP3) ; includes RDS - 12V in front
- Front ashtray
- Front reading lights
Exterior
- Front fog lights
- Driver and passenger door mirror:
heated, body colour, power adjustable - Spare wheel: spacesaver with steel rim
- Roof antenna
- Metallic paint
- Windshield wipers with variable
intermittent wipe - Doors: driver, rear driver, passenger
and rear passenger : front hinged - Roof spoiler
Mechanical
- Front-wheel drive
- Emissions data: CO2: 4,344 kg/yr
- Fuel: unleaded ( 87 octane)
- Sport suspension
- Powertrain type : combustion
- Electronic traction control (via ABS &
engine management) - Fuel system: multi-point injection
- Independent front strut suspension with
stabilizer bar and coil springs,
independent rear multi-link suspension
with stabilizer bar and coil springs - Transmission: 5-speed manual ; incl.
shifter on floor
Safety
- Headlights: halogen with complex surface
lens - Daytime running lights
- Remote keyless power locks ; includes
trunk/hatch and speed sensing - Intelligent driver front airbag,
intelligent passenger front airbag with
occupant sensors - 2 active height adjustable head
restraints for front seats, 3 height
adjustable head restraints for rear
seats - 3-point rear seat belts for driver,
passenger and center - Electronic brake distribution
- Low tire pressure indicator
- 4 disc brakes (2 ventilated)
- Painted front and rear bumpers
- Headlight control
- Front to rear side curtain airbag
- Anti-theft protection:
- Front side airbag
- 3-point height adjustable front seat
belts with pre-tensioners for driver and
passenger - Stability control
- Brake assist system
- Driver knee airbags
- ABS
- Immobilizer
Dimensions
- Internal dimensions: front headroom
(mm): 1,005, rear headroom (mm): 935,
front hip room (mm): 1,355, rear hip
room (mm): 1,375, front leg room (mm):
1,075, rear leg room (mm): 915, front
shoulder room (mm): 1,390, rear shoulder
room (mm): 1,380 and interior volume
(litres): 2,676 - Engine: 2.4L in-line four-cylinder DOHC
with VVT ( 10.5 :1 compression ratio ; 4
valves per cylinder) - Front and rear all-season tires with
black sidewall : 215/ 45/ " V " rated - Weights: curb weight (kg): 1,405
- External dimensions: overall length
(mm): 4,585, overall width (mm): 1,760,
overall height (mm): 1,515, wheelbase
(mm): 2,635, front track (mm): 1,530,
rear track (mm): 1,530 and curb to curb
turning circle (mm): 10,000
- Cargo capacity: all seats in place
(litres): 391 - 59 litre fuel tank
- Power: 168 HP ( 125 kW) @ 6,000 rpm; 167
ft lb of torque ( 226 Nm) @ 4,100 rpm - Front and rear alloy wheels: 18"x 7.0"
Misc
- Voice activating system includes phone
- Charges: Air Conditioning Tax $ 100.00
- Wireless connection: Bluetooth
- Delivery/freight charge: $ 1,600.00
(PP) Premium Paint Charge
Pearl paint
Excludes: [J005] Standard Gloss Paint
(P4) Sun & Sound Leather Package
6-disc CD changer in dashboard Rockford Fosgate audio system with AM/FM/satellite radio, 6 CDs (reads MP3) 9 Rockford Fosgate speakers Power glass sunroof Smart card / smart key: automatic ; includes central locking and ignition starter Card key power locks Seat upholstery: leather
Excludes: [90J] Black Sport Cloth
(J005) Standard Gloss Paint
Gloss paint
Excludes: [PP] Premium Paint Charge
*Disclaimer: Pricing is subject to change without notice, actual price may vary; installed options may also vary by dealer. Price does not include applicable license fees, insurance, registration, tax, freight / delivery, PDI or administration fees. See dealership for final pricing and availability.
