New turbo Mitsubishi Lancer coming 2008

This was a long time coming, Mitsubishi finally made the official announcement, revealing the 2008 Lancer Evolution X to the world. A collective sigh of relief was heard clear cross the globe, followed by a few droplets of drool.Mitsubishi Lancer: new turbo will face the WRX like the STi takes on Evo. The front end is distinctly more aggressive than the rather subdued rear, but -- as expected -- the overall design and lines draw heavily on the Concept X, as well as the garden variety Lancer which will serve as its everyday stablemate.

Under the hood of this S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) vehicle is a 200hp turbocharged 2.0L engine, paired with either a five-speed manual or a sequential manual gearbox. the S-AWC system is said to provide active steering and electronic yaw control. Now we just have to see how it performs on the track.

AN AFFORDABLE turbo Mitsubishi Lancer will take on the mighty Subaru WRX.

Mitsubishi already has a full-on rally racer, the EVO Lancer, but a less expensive, sporty model will add spice to a new Lancer line-up, which will start arriving here in September 2008.

The boosted all-wheel-drive Lancer, expected to carry the Ralliart name, will slot into the line-up below the red-hot EVO model.

The Lancer range will be similar to Subaru's Impreza stable, which has a turbo AWD WRX as the main performance model and a faster, more expensive STI as the hero car.

It will be the first time Mitsubishi has had an affordable WRX rival since the cult GSR Lancer was cut from the local line-up 10 years ago.

The sketch shows the car will look much more aggressive than the existing model.

It has many similarities to the Concept X that was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September last year.

The first of the new Lancers, which will be slightly bigger than existing cars, are expected to arrive in Australia in September 2008.

A standard model will be the first on sale. It will have a new-generation 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that is expected to produce about 120kW.

A miserly 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a new diesel will be offered in Europe, but it's unlikely either will make it to Australia to start with.

The performance turbo AWD model, which will compete with the WRX, is expected to join the range in the first half of 2008, along with the full-on EVO model.

Mitsubishi now offers a wagon version of the Lancer, but it is unclear whether a similar load hauler is part of the next Lancer plan.

It is more likely a sporty five-door hatch will be part of the line-up, according to Mitsubishi sources.

Engine Type:	Turbocharged Inline-4
Displacement cu in (cc):	122 (1997)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM:	295(220) / n.a.
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM:	300(407) / 3500
Redline at RPM:	n.a.
Brakes & Tires
Brakes F/R:	ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R:	245/40 R18
Driveline:	All Wheel Drive
Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length × Width × Height in:	n.a.
Weight lb (kg):	n.a.
Performance
Acceleration 0-62 mph s:	5.0
Top Speed mph (km/h):	n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km):	n.a.