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Posted on: Jun 08 2007

Mitsubishi-Lancer : Cedia

The new Mitsubishi Lancer Cedia won’t replace the Lancer that has been around since 1998. Instead, this bigger and more powerful version will be pitched against the Corolla. There’s no doubt that it’s a class above the ageing Lancer, but it is enough car to upset the Corolla’s celebrity status?:

Design, Engineering and Interiors:
The Cedia's nose, a combination of curves, swoops and ridges makes it quite distinctive. We particularly liked the high central ridge on the bonnet and the Mitsubishi corporate logo on the prominent wedge that splits the two-part grille. The wraparound and swept back clear lens headlamps look great, and the Cedia’s low stance makes it look sporty. In comparison, the side profile is a let-down and looks pretty run of the mill. Redemption is there in the form of the rear tail lights, which, with their clear lenses, look simply stunning. The mechanicals are all new and bolted to a chassis that is 50 per cent stiffer than the previous Lancer. The car also has a larger wheelbase at 2600mm, while the suspension is independent all around, with anti roll bars used to counter body roll. The suspension has been raised for Indian roads, but the springs haven’t been excessively stiffened as is normally done. The body structure near the front and rear suspension mounting points has been beefed up and that is a good thing for our roads. ABS with brake force distribution is standard, as are the two airbags for the driver and front passenger.

You can’t take short cuts with interior quality in this class and thankfully, HM has spruced up the Cedia. The rear seat for one is not as comfortable and though shoulder and legroom is only fractionally less than the Corolla, it’s the low sitting position, which compromises comfort. To accommodate tall passengers, the seat base is set low and this makes you sit in a ‘knees-up’ position—not great on long drives as it affords little under thigh support. On the other hand, the driving position is superb. Adjustments for the steering and seat height allow the driver to find the perfect position. There’s also a nice, snug feel to the driver’s seat which, along with the good forward visibility, the high mounted gear lever and the dead pedal—useful during spirited driving—gives you a sense of control.

The Cedia has quite a few cubby holes to keep knick knacks, but it doesn’t have huge bins or large boxes to swallow a lot of paraphernalia. Also, the single interior light proved inadequate. The air-con is brilliant and works well, but we missed the electronic climate control option that is now an important feature in this class.

Performance, Fuel Economy and Handling: 
The Cedia’s two-litre petrol engine with 16-valves driven off a single cam has been de-tuned for India with modifications to the intake tract and the ECU to suit Indian fuel quality and wallets. It now puts out only a 115bhp and that’s a shame considering that Toyota’s 1.8 litre VVTi motor puts out a full 125bhp. Flat out performance is still very good but not shattering. It’s more in the league of the 1.8 Optra and not the significantly quicker Corolla, which is a clear second quicker in the dash to 100kph.

The Cedia's engine pulls seamlessly from as little as 1500rpm all the way to its 6000rpm redline and in the important third gear slog from 20-80kph, it beats the Corolla. The gear ratios are spaced out (there’s quite a gap between second and third gears), but the motor’s torquey nature means you don’t have to constantly shift gears when driving in traffic. Where the Cedia’s engine truly stands out is in terms of refinement. This long-stroke motor, which is incredibly smooth, feels particularly relaxed at cruising speeds and makes light work of highway duty.

With its motor tuned for efficiency and its tall gearing, we expected the Cedia to be the most efficient car in its class, and it didn’t let us down. Stretching the litre to a class-leading 10.2kpl in the city, it managed an impressive 14.2kpl on the highway. On the India-spec set-up, the Cedia strikes a near perfect balance between ride and handling. The only minor compromise seems to be the low speed ride, which, due to the stiff suspension and the low-profile 60-section tyres, is a bit thumpy. Mitsubishi has cranked up the ride height by 25mm over the Japanese model and that has its benefits. At higher speeds, the ride improves considerably and the Cedia’s poise is good, although that typical Japanese lightness is present, with the car floating over crests and ridges. HM-Mitsubishi has also added an additional anti roll bar at the rear, and this means good high speed body control. The Cedia is not wildly fun to drive on a winding road, but you can extract a great deal of driving pleasure from it. When pushed hard, the car tends to understeer, but this happens in a very controllable manner, so it’s easy to catch.

The brakes are easy to modulate and have adequate stopping power, so that you feel confident going fast in this car. Equipped with ABS and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), the car feels stable even under emergency braking.

Verdict:
It is up against formidable competition, but with the Cedia, you’ll find a solidly engineered car that doesn’t have the flimsy feel of the Corolla. The stiff body shell, robust mechanicals and smooth suspension make it ideal for our roads, and you get the feeling that this car is truly built to last. The two-litre motor is pretty flexible and hence, equally happy in town and on the highway. The superb fuel efficiency is a bonus. A good all-rounder.
Source: autocarindia.com