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D R I V E N |
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Jason Ang Photos by Ulysses Ang Originally Published in the March 2003 Issue |
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When a promised gift arrives later than it should, it can be frustrating and exciting at the same time. The same sense of anxious anticipation pervaded our wait for the 2003 Lancer. This was not helped by the sight of gray-market Evo VIIs burbling around Manila. The Lancer's rivals had certainly advanced the 1.6 liter game, and, good or bad, we wanted to know how the Lancer would stand up to the challenge. As the New Year rolled in, Mitsubishi Motors eventually delivered. What a package it is. We would normally tear up the wrapper to get to the good parts but in this case, the covering itself warrants a good deal of attention. Angular lines define the Lancer's new countenance. A large honeycomb grille is flanked by large clusters containing four lamps. That grille is now integrated into the hood, and bulges and a center crease flow rearward, a return to the muscular styling that we've sorely missed since the Lancer GTi. The bumper houses a pair of standard fog lamps. You won't mistake that front for an Evo, but squint at the rear and you'll see the family resemblance. The taillights are clear-and-red trapezoids, with a pronounced ridge that continues into the trunk. A “bee-sting” antenna pops jauntily up from the rear portion of the roof. The sheet metal, plastics and judicious use of chrome combine for a tidy, handsome appearance. Immediately noticeable is the lengthened wheelbase. Thanks to the 100 mm stretch, the Lancer's proportions look more like an E-class' than an Altis.' Overall length and height have also grown—the Lancer now checks in at 4500 mm overall length, 1695 mm width and 1445 mm height. It's still a nudge smaller than the Altis in all three dimensions. The increased dimensions pay off in the greater leg and hip room for both front and rear passengers. The rear seat offers adequate support in addition to generous legroom, even if a tall guy sits in front. Width is spacious for two adults, a slight squeeze for three. There's still a center tunnel, though it's not very obtrusive. The Lancer sticks to a boxy profile, which optimizes cabin room and eases ingress and egress. |
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