Mitsubishi's Lancer small car range is set to expand to around nine models -- and that's not including the latest line-up of Lancer Evolution performance models.
The top-selling model for the resurgent brand Down Under, the Lancer will eschew its sedan-only line-up to add a local range of Sportback hatches before the end of 2008. In addition, Mitsubishi will add a new 2.4-litre luxury sedan variant and non-Evolution Ralliart models.
Mitsubishi Australia President and CEO, Robert McEniry, confirmed the additions to the range at this week's local launch of the brand's new performance flagship, the Lancer Evolution (more here). He says Mitsubishi plans to double its Lancer volume Down Under.
Currently Lancer averages around 1600 units per month. In June the small sedan accounted for 2667 of Mitsubishi's record total volume of 8336 units. Though Mitsubishi expects the Evolution models to account for between 60-90 units per month, the 3200-plus car per month Lancer target is nothing if not ambitious.
The expansion will hinge on the arrival of a range of five-door Sportback models in the last quarter of 2008. This range will initially mirror the sedan's existing ES, VR and VRX line-up, say insiders. With the five-door more expensive to build, however, unlike other manufacturer's model line-ups it's likely the hatches will carry a premium price position over the corresponding sedan models.
The Sportbacks will feature the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder drivetrain as the sedan models. Both manual and CVT automatic variants will be offered. While McEniry is still keen to add a turbodiesel option to the Lancer range, it remains some way off.
It's at the top-end of the Lancer line-up where much of the immediate action will be, however, with the arrival of sedan and Sportback versions of a turbocharged all-wheel-drive Ralliart Lancer and a high-spec 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated sedan model aimed at non-sports buyers.
Details on the Ralliart models have been relatively scarce. Indeed, at this week's Evolution launch Mitsubishi Australia officials were able to confirm little, save for the arrival date (last quarter of 2008) and the fact the vehicle would be sold in both sedan and Sportback configurations.
Still up for debate was whether the car would be offered in manual-only or whether a version of the Evolution's TC-SST twin-clutch six-speed sequential gearbox would be available. Mitsubishi Japan has since released details (yesterday) of the Ralliart Lancer sedan (see separate story here) that suggests the model will be twin-clutch only.
The luxury Lancer meantime will target customers that are moving away from larger cars, says Mitsubishi boss, McEniry.
Commenting that Mitsubishi will likely re-enter the Large car marketplace with a future imported model, McEniry told the Carsales network: "In the interim, a 2.4[-litre] luxury version [of the Lancer] will help start bridging that gap.
"If we look at our research results, our Magna buyers have shifted out of the large six-cylinder and four-cylinder car segment into the medium car segment -- Mazdas, Hondas, etc... They're not moving from the Large down to the Light, they're actually moving down the group, so the 2.4… will help bridge that gap for us."
The car will use the same base all-alloy 125kW/226Nm four as featured in versions of the Outlander SUV. Front-wheel drive, it will also inherit the Outlander's CVT transmission.
Insiders say the born-again Verada (not! See below) will boast much of the equipment of current premium medium sedans. It's expected to arrive at around $35-37,000 -- around $4000-5000 above the existing VRX range-topper, but still well under the $40K-plus pricetag slated for the Ralliart.
Though the luxo will retain Lancer badging, it will be given its own identity.
"It's still Lancer, but the prominent name will be a separate name on the vehicle. So not an alpha-numeric badge, it'll be a name badge," said McEniry, adding…
"Six [letters]! And it's not the one you're thinking. It's a totally new name."
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