Need 4 Lancer

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has today announced that the Hyundai i30 and the Mitsubishi Lancer have both received a five-star safety rating.

The ratings are great news for buyers looking for affordable but safe cars as both the Lancer and i30 cost less than $30,000 and achieve better results than some cars worth twice as much.
“What we are now seeing is the provision of the latest vehicle safety features in cars below $30,000 – which is great news for consumers,” ANCAP Chairman, Lauchlan McIntosh said.
In order to achieve a five-star safety rating in ANCAP, manufacturers must donate a car for a pole test, which has resulted in many manufacturers refusing to participate. Despite popular belief, ANCAP buys all vehicles from the manufacturer for other tests.

The Mitsubishi Lancer which received the five-star rating was the top of line VRX with head-protecting side curtain airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – both of which are prerequisites for a five-star rating under ANCAP’s rating methodology. Lancers without side protection scored four stars. (more…)

I’ve finally had a chance to slide my fat behind into the driver’s seat of Mitsubishi’s much awaited Evo X. Unfortunately, time only allowed a very short blast through mid day Toronto traffic, but it was enough to make a bit of a comparison with the Subaru STi following a similar short trip in that monster machine.

Our ride today was a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR, with the 5 speed manual. The car is a pre production model that is destined for the mandatory crushing that PT units receive after they’ve been flogged repeatedly by anyone who has the opportunity. This particular car has seen media road tests, track days and heavy road use. The clutch is releasing fairly high in the travel due to many, many drivers launching it hard. Still, the drivetrain hooks up and leaves no question as to the potential of the beast.

The first thing you notice when getting behind the wheel is the track ready Recaro seats. The side and thigh bolsters are substantial and promise to hold one tightly in place during high speed cornering. They might be a little extreme for some drivers, as they are quite narrow and one must be careful not to injure one’s sack while lifting legs over the lower bolster. As a fat guy, I found the seats just right, but I’m sure someone somewhere will not find them comfy.
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