Spy Shots: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer (base)
by Erin Mays on Jul 18th 2006 at 3:29PM 
Behold the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. Most pubs that saw the test mule have been calling it the EVO X (including us), but AutoWeek's got the inside scoop. This is actually just the base Lancer, and it shows a striking resemblance to the Concept-X vehicle seen at the 2005 Tokyo show -- how cool is that? Word is that the EVO X will share a "strong family resemblance" with the base model, which will hopefully make the manic sedan a little more stealthy than the current model, and also raise the cool quotient of the base model.
The Lancer will ride on the Dodge Caliber/Jeep Compass/Patriot platform, believe it or not, and will debut in spring of '07 as a 2008 model. The Ralliart is up after that and will feature a turbo motor and all-wheel drive. Finally, in late '07 or early '08, the EVO X will crash the party with a 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder. Dee-lish.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Spytap 3:36PM (7/18/2006)
Okay, please correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no such thing as a "Six-speed clutchless transmission." The clutch is there, it's just computer operated. It's a sequential-manual, not a clutchless, as stated in the article.
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ruf-jason 3:41PM (7/18/2006)
"12. I'd put good money on this one being a RalliArt or similar version based on the (lack of)size of the brake caliper behind the wheel, no Brembo's there at all
Posted at 4:06PM on Jul 11th 2006 by ruf-jason"
I knew it!, very cool that the ralliart version will be more like the Evo than the base model.
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emulous1974 3:44PM (7/18/2006)
Sounds like the Ralliart version will finally give the WRX a proper competitor.
I find this being the base lancer, very interesting and see that Mitsubishi might actually get back into the game of sport compacts at a lower level.
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Michael Karesh 3:53PM (7/18/2006)
The Lancer and Evo already share all panels except the front fenders. The huge wing is what kills the stealth capability.
The current Ralliart is already a decent performing, great handling car. Used it shouldn't retain much value, so could be a great buy (if you can find one).
My review of the 2004 Ralliart:
http://www.epinions.com/content_120901111428
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Ryan 3:56PM (7/18/2006)
"2. "12. I'd put good money on this one being a RalliArt or similar version based on the (lack of)size of the brake caliper behind the wheel, no Brembo's there at all
Posted at 4:06PM on Jul 11th 2006 by ruf-jason"
I knew it!, very cool that the ralliart version will be more like the Evo than the base model.
Posted at 3:41PM on Jul 18th 2006 by ruf-jason 0 stars"
Good work dude! You called that one!
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Noah 4:32PM (7/18/2006)
Looks pretty bloated to me... the new SRT-4 will also have a 300hp turbo 4, the question is, will they share an engine? Who knows?... I sure hope this new generation is less fugly than the current one.
--Noah
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Eric 5:04PM (7/18/2006)
Whats wrong with mitsubishi? why are they using american shit chassis for the Evo? If the car peformance lacks and everyone here blmaes the the car. Please go blame it on the screwed american chassis.
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Chris 5:10PM (7/18/2006)
Well....actually this is the Ralliart model and not the base (SE) model.
-CD/BP
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Ryan 5:30PM (7/18/2006)
"4. The Lancer and Evo already share all panels except the front fenders."
Then it's not ALL panels IS IT? Plus the roof is made out of seperate materials. PLUS, the front facia's are TOTALLY different. So what are you getting at?
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Ryan 5:34PM (7/18/2006)
"Used it shouldn't retain much value, so could be a great buy (if you can find one)."
Michael:
Click the below-listed link here is every EVO for sale in the USA on cars.com I'm calling bullshit on your resale theory.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/fs_search_results.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&criteria=K-%7CE-%7CM-_34_%7CD-_7211_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CZ-89015&aff=national&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&largeNumResultsPerPage=1500&numResultsPerPage=50&certifiedOnly=false
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Aki 5:47PM (7/18/2006)
Test cars don't use oversized rims. Those look like 18 inch wheels, which would never be used in a base model. Maybe Ralliart. Plus there's a bump in the hood that could be a hood vent. Either way, it looks like a huge improvement over the current gen look.
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Louis Longo 7:14PM (7/18/2006)
Everybody can remenber the 2005 Tokyo show, thats the concept, you can see the same front, same headlights,
Michael:
"Used it shouldn't retain much value, so could be a great buy (if you can find one)."
I disagree too.
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Amit 7:17PM (7/18/2006)
#10, why are you looking at prices of the EVO? #4 was talking about the Ralliart version.
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SSII 8:43PM (7/18/2006)
The back doors look straight from a TSX
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Mitsufan 9:22PM (7/18/2006)
AAaaauuugh YES!
THIS is what I have been waiting for. I dunno if it's the stock Lancer (prolly not) or the Ralliart, but what a cool chunk of iron!
I imagine the price is gonna get jacked up a bit, but I think this will make the Lancer competitive with a whole new breed of car.
Can't wait to drive it!
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WRC05 9:40PM (7/18/2006)
Ralliart or not, its a great looking Lancer. This is a huge improvement over current generation (at least designwise). Can't wait to see the interior pics.
I was under the impression that the Calibur and Lancer will use a shared platform(developed together!). The way this author writes it is like Mitsubishi borrowed the platform made by DCX. Pro American eh?
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Davis 11:47PM (7/18/2006)
I should've known it was a Lancer. It didnt have the spoiler that the EVOs usually have. Oh well, wonder how it turns out.
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PJ 1:25AM (7/19/2006)
Michael was referring to the Ralliart's resale value, not the Evo's. Ralliarts are dirt cheap used.
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Jason 7:59AM (7/19/2006)
Hate to tell you guys, but rumor has it that more than just the chassis is american/chrysler developed. And just because it is using the same chassis as the caliber means squat
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Alex 9:10AM (7/19/2006)
Mitsubishi sucks! How dare they rely on awful American engineering for their next Evo! In this one cowardly act, Mitsubishi has lowered itself to the level of Ferrari, which uses no-good American technology also.
And don’t even get me started on the catalytic converter, vulcanized rubber, GPS navigation, etc, etc. No self-respecting Japanese or European automaker should touch American crap, ever.
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/29/ferrari-to-use-corvette-suspension-on-599-gtb-fiorano/
http://www.wpi.edu/About/History/Profiles/catalytic.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Goodyear
Homer Simpson: "Oh, look at me! I'm making people happy! I'm the Magical Man, from Happy Land, living in a gumdrop house on Lollipop Lane! Oh, by the way, I was being sarcastic."
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