Lancer sets sights on Ford Focus

Mitsubishi will launch its high-specification Ford Focus-rivalling Lancer saloon and estate in the UK in February 2005.

Latest News

• MG gives local workers 15% discount
• Citroen launches recall website
• New Audi A3 vs Merc A-Class, Volvo V40
• Renault Alpine concept car leaked

Mitsubishi will launch its high-specification Ford Focus-rivalling Lancer saloon and estate in the UK in February 2005.

Prices start at £9999 for an Equippe model powered by a 96bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine, which is used for most of the range. A 133bhp 2.0-litre petrol unit is available in the range-topping Sport estate priced at £11,999.

Diesel models will not be on offer until the next-generation version of the car goes on sale at the end of 2006.

Equipment levels are high. Base specification includes front and side airbags, 15-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, air-conditioning, a CD player, keyless entry, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, front foglamps, electric windows and a height-adjustable driver’s seat as standard.

Elegance models are £750 more than Equippe and so cost from £10,749 as saloons. They come with a leather interior as standard. Sport models also gain 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, sports seats, a CD autochanger and lowered suspension.

Estate models, priced from £10,499, are £500 more than their saloon counterparts in Equippe trim. A four-speed automatic gearbox is also available for an extra £500.

The manual saloon takes 11.8sec to sprint to 60mph and tops 114mph, while the estate posts a time of 12.6sec and an overall maximum of 113mph. Combined fuel economy is put at 41.5mpg for the saloon and 40.4mpg for the estate.

The 2.0-litre estate takes 10.0sec in the dash to 60mph, tops 124mph and returns 32.5mpg on the combined cycle.