GOOD! But with few rough edges… . Review on Mitsubishi Lancer - Diesel

I wish I could give a very detailed review on the ownership experience of this car, but unfortunately, that is not the case. But I was lucky enough to get a personal first hand experience in one, owned by one of my friends.

One good thing about studying automobile engineering is that most of my friends don’t have problems in letting me drive their vehicles. All I need to do is to let them have a few technical details of their vehicles and answer a few doubts, and they are ready to hand over their vehicles for my opinion. (That’s worth a laugh).

But, I didn’t expect someone would lend me a lancer. A diesel one. And I will share my short experience.

Design and engineering.

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Now, I know the lancer is getting really old, but there is nothing like the lancer to fulfill all the rally fantasies that had been lying dormant in your mind for years. The lancer still has its charm. I guess it explains the big broad smile that I put on.

The build quality is very good. Its looks very solid and safe, inspiring confidence. Paint quality was not top class, and someone who is not aware of the rally heritage of the lancer, would not be too excited by the road car, unless it’s a special one is rally skirting, alloys and yellow colour (may be).

Interiors

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Interiors are really big. And the leg room in front was a bit too much for comfort. I am almost 6 feet tall, and I found the steering position very strange. I had to extend my legs too much for engaging the clutch fully. Now that could be adjusted if the seat was pulled to the front. But then, the steering wheel was set very low. My legs were coming midway up the wheel, with the seat in position to engage the clutch comfortably.

The seat was really comfortable, and in beige leather. The rear seat is also huge and of a very good size to seat three people comfortably. Power windows on all doors work quietly, but are standard at this price. The steering has a sporty feel to it.

But it’s not all positive though. The front plastic seemed really cheap and shiny, and reminded me of my humble Maruti which costs three times less. And there are acres of plastic to deal with.

The stereo was also not that good, and nothing to really write home about. The car was a bit old, and the ac was giving a horrible smell, so I didn’t try how cold it is. I drove with the windows down.

Driving comfort.

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The driving position was not to my liking, but the driver gets a pretty good view of the bonnet, and so driving it is no problem for the beginner.

The car is really going to test your driving skills on reversing, though. I couldn’t gather enough courage to reverse the car on the road. The view is really small from the rather small glass; the rear pillars are also very thick. Adding to the woes are the big boot and the rear spoiler. It’s not your fault if you didn’t see a small child who was standing behind the car.

Engine and performance

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Now, I wasn’t aware of the fact that it was a diesel lancer that I had in my hands. But I realized it as soon as I turned on the engine. It lacks the refinement that one would expect of the price, and really looses out to the accent CRDi. The diesel clatter is evident, but the vibrations were within tolerable limits. Its acceptable, I guess..

Now, for those of you who are interested in the figures. It is a 2L diesel churning out 66 bhp of power and a maximum torque of 118 Nm. Its can do a top speed of 140 kmph.

I didn’t check out the maximum performance of the motor, and so, I cannot comment on it. But I will give you some interesting facts. The recently launched Indica turbo produces 68 bhp, which is 2 bhp more than the lancer. The Suzuki Swift, will get a multijet diesel next year which will produce 70 bhp. So, it would not be too wrong to say that the car is underpowered.

Fuel economy

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The car should return a mileage around 12 kmpl. It’s ok. But not that impressive.

Overall

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The lancer has always in my dreams. I had thought of owning one when I could afford it. I even had thought of living out my rally dreams on my lancer.

But the diesel version didn’t impress me as much as I thought it would, and I am sure, there will be more value for money options out there. If its fuel economy, you are after, then the accent CRDi or the recently launched Ford fiesta would be better. And the diesel lancer is also underpowered. I would recommend it only to those people who want the rally heritage of the lancer, and are not considering any other parameters that much. Those who want to modify it will love it. But don’t expect the go to match the show.