Mitsubishi lancer sportback 2.4

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

The GTS model features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and comes with your choice of a five-speed manual or CVT. The GTS is only available in front-wheel-drive, and returns 21 city, and 27 highway mpg with the CVT, and 20 city, 27 highway with the 5-speed manual. The GTS features a versatile dual-level cargo floor that folds flat and allows for 52.7 cubic feet of storage.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has officially launched the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, a five-door hatchback variant of the Lancer that now complements the Lancer GT and EX sedans. Fully-imported from Japan, the Lancer Sportback can be yours for RM 129,363.80 (OTR excluding insurance).

The Lancer Sportback comes with the C-segment’s largest engine—the 2.4-litre 4B12 unit producing 170 hp at 6000 rpm and 226 Nm at 4100 rpm. Power goes to the front wheels via the INVECS-III CVT with a six-step Sports Mode. Manual shifts through the six virtual ratios can be accomplished using the steering wheel paddle shifters.

Like the transmission, the suspension setup and brakes are identical with the Lancer sedan variants’; the Lancer Sportback uses MacPherson strut in front and multi-link at the back, while front ventilated discs and rear solid discs provide the braking power.

When it comes to practicality, the rear tailgate offers a wider opening than a sedan’s boot lid, thus improving access. The 344-litre boot can be expanded to 1349 litres via one-touch folding rear seats (60:40 split), which fold down almost completely flat. Moreover, the boot floor is height-adjustable, and can be lowered by 90 mm using a one-handed motion as well.

Standard equipments include 18" alloy wheels, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, Nappa leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and brake lever, automatic climate control, 6-speaker 2-DIN audio system with LCD touch-screen, and steering wheel audio and cruise control buttons.

Safety features include dual-stage SRS airbags for the driver and front passenger, front seatbelts with pretensioner and force-limiter, Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control plus braking controls, from Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) to Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

Available in three colours (Lightning Blue, White Solid and Black Mica), the Lancer Sportback is offered with a three-year/100,000km warranty and a two-year free maintenance parts and labour costs package.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia hopes to sell 50 units of the Lancer Sportback monthly, on the basis that the Lancer sedan achieves monthly sales of 150 units on average. Of course, it remains to be seen how the upcoming Proton Inspira will affect the sales of either Lancer model.