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Auto Profile: 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer OZ-Rally
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| Watch out, Civic and Focus: the racing-inspired Lancer is here |
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| Updated |
Mar 17, 2005 19:41:50 |
| Rating |
 1185 ( -41 -3.45% ) | | Author | Phil Ruth |
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Description:
California originated the surge in sport-compact popularity, and U.S. highways now teem with "slammed" Civics and Integras. But it looks like they might start teeming with the Mitsubishi Lancer, if my experience picking one up at the San Francisco airport is any indication.
The valet said, "Hey! The Lancer! This is new!" The Civic driver I pulled next to while merging onto the highway whipped his head around so quickly, it looked as if he'd been slapped. While parking the Lancer downtown, a Sentra slowed to a crawl, its young driver turning back to get a good look. The Lancer provoked a visceral response, a feat few cars can match.
That's because the Lancer is preceded by its legend. The Lancer Evolution series has been tearing up the international rally circuit, and a street version of that winning car features four-wheel drive and a highly tuned 2.0-liter engine that cranks out 276 horsepower. Sony PlayStation fans are well acquainted with the Evolution, thanks to "Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec," a driving game that pits the Evo against such luminaries as the Jaguar XKR and the Subaru Impreza WRX.
Recently, Subaru began capitalizing on the video-game buzz by marketing a 227-horsepower version of its WRX in the U.S. That's the strategy Mitsubishi is undertaking as it replaces its Mirage economy sedan. For 2002, the Lancer name replaces Mirage as it did in European markets years ago. And an OZ Rally trim level adds a number of features that evoke the storied Evolution history.
Those features are mostly cosmetic in nature. Our test car's Lightning Yellow paint job became vibrant under the California sun, and a deep front spoiler and sill extensions rounded out the package's aggressive bent. Fifteen-inch "OZ Racing Alloy" wheels are shod with Goodyear tires. Get behind the wheel, and you'll find a padded steering wheel and shifter falling close to hand. White-faced gauges also allude to the Evo.
The driving experience, however, is more like a Corolla. The Lancer has just 120 horsepower with which to wend its way up to highway speeds, and meaningful acceleration ends once fifth gear is found. The suspension is quite soft - high-speed undulations sent the body a-boinging, and steering lost its fix on the straight-ahead once the 80-mph barrier was crossed. This is not a sports sedan.
On the other hand, it is an awfully nice economy sedan. The front seats are firm with plenty of shoulder support. The back seat easily swallows two six-footers. Visibility is panoramic, and the steering wheel, shifter and pedal positions are almost perfect for a variety of drivers. Best of all, there's smoothness in the car's operation that gives the car a feeling of careful and thorough refinement.
So it's not a WRX, nor is it even a Civic Si. Instead, the Lancer OZ Rally ends up being a teenage parent's dream come true - a car that, despite its modest power, has indisputable street cred. And it's affordable: our Lancer OZ Rally, complete with the $360 rear wing and a bevy of standard features like keyless entry, cruise control and an eight-way driver's seat, rang in at just $15,847. That's a lot of style for not a lot of money.
- By Phil Ruth
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