Facelift sharpens Mitsubishi Lancer

Most manufacturers have mid-life facelifts within their model line-up.

Mitsubishi have just released a range of fresh product; there haven't been any major changes but across the board it has made their product just that bit more appealing.

The first to come my way is the Lancer VRX, the range-topping model in the Lancer line-up - Ralliart and Evo aside.

Both the Lancer sedan and hatch have had a total realignment in terms of model line-up, and they get a lot of cosmetic enhancements for 2012, inside and out, but mechanically there's only a couple of notable mentions, one being the withdrawal of the manual gearbox option.

The other, a new initiative for Mitsubishi, really caught my attention. Trickling across their product range is a smart brake override system. Put simply, if you unintentionally hit the accelerator pedal as well as the brake in an emergency, SmartBrake spots the error and cancels the message to accelerate. I think that's a worthy safety feature and along with other useful fitment additions, the Lancer will be kept desirable for some time or until a newcomer lands.

In VRX form the changes go a long way towards enhancing its sporty image, and I've long classified the VRX as a pseudo-sporty model with its big 18in wheels and aggressive frontal treatment.

Inside, the VRX hasn't received as much cosmetic change as its stablemates, but notably there is the inclusion of a new rear view camera, the image displayed within the rear view mirror.

And at $40,890 it is still the value packed model we have come to expect from Lancer, and Mitsubishi in general. Heading the list of fitment is full leather trim with heated front seats, electric driver's seat adjustment, single-zone climate control, cruise control, keyless entry and ignition, tilt and reach-adjustable steering column with sequential gearshift paddles, six-disc audio and trip computer.

For safety there's no fewer than seven air bags, five overshoulder seat belts, ABS which works on four discs, and a traction and stability control system. That's a good package, especially if you take into account that the range starts at $28,990 for a manual SX variant. The VRX, however, lists at $40,890 which is also good value considering you do get a lot of car, notably because of its 2.4-litre engine, which is quite sizeable given that the Lancer, as a range, sits in the medium car segment.

The 2360cc unit is a twin-camshaft, 16-valve type which pumps out a healthy 127kW with 230Nm of torque. It is an immensely strong engine, peak power registers at 6000rpm, maximum torque at 4100rpm.

Not only is it high in terms of output, it is also significantly smooth and refined. The engine is willing, quiet and flexible. A lot of the latter is due to the way it works through a continuously variable automatic transmission. The CVT system, which makes up the majority of Lancer sales here, has been well tried and proven to produce seamless gearing throughout the rev band.

The driver can take control over the CVT process, there's a manual override function which locks the gearing into six pre-set points. This is a handy function if, for example, you were travelling through hill country or for overtaking.

Interaction between the engine and gearbox is fluid, the gearing is structured for healthy acceleration along with healthy fuel usage returns.

According to Mitsubishi an 8.5-litre per 100km (33mpg) return is achievable. During my time with the test car it constantly listed close to that claim at 9l/100km (31mpg) with an instantaneous figure of 6l/100km (47mpg) available when on a constant 100km/h cruise, the engine working over relaxed at just 2000rpm at that speed.

Although the engine works efficiently, the VRX constantly feels lively, those buying it for its aggressive looks won't be disappointed with its performance, it is feisty and rewarding. For the record a 9sec time to make 100km/h from a standstill is achievable along with 5sec to reach 120km/h from

80km/h.

The same could be said of its handling performance as well. The big Yokohama Advan tyres (215/45) have outstanding grip and with the additional firming, the VRX takes on a role of a traditional sports sedan, taking note that a 2.4-litre engine has a lot of capacity for a compact car. I took the test car on an early morning burst to Diamond Harbour through Gebbies Pass and it delighted with its agility and accuracy. Turn-in is precise, and the feel of what the tyres are doing is communicated directly back to the driver.

Body balance over the front strut/rear multiple link suspension is controlled with little sway, while composure over uneven road surfaces isn't jeopardised. There is enough compliance in the suspension to cope with the additional firming and low profile tyres, ride quality and associated occupant comfort isn't jeopardised.

I particularly like the feel the VRX provides from driver's perspective, it is incredibly accurate and involving through the steering wheel, I guess Mitsubishi's experience with the Ralliart and Evo programmes has trickled down into some of the engineering aspects of the VRX.

And that is the essence of Mitsubishi as a company, their knowledge and experience combine to produce quality cars which have earned a huge reputation down under. The VRX is one of five facelifted models I'm schedule to review in the next few months. I'm hoping they'll all leave the same favourable impression on me.