So... Mitsubishi keeps boasting about the RISE chassis (reinforced impact something or other) that supposed to aid with safety.

I was checking up on the NHTSA website and they have the Lancer 2 stars on side impact rating! that's a 1/4 chance that you could get a serious injury from a side impact and die!!

Here's my thoughts: I'm thinking that maybe, since the NHTSA covers the Lancer as a 2002-2005 model, that that 2-star rating is based off of the 2002 Lancer ES.

When did the RISE chassis reinforcements come into play? Is it just the new remodeled 04's?

 

Yeah I saw that somewhere else as well. Lancer got 2 stars base, and 4 stars with the side airbag option. Do the older model Lancers even have the side airbags?

RISE: (from official website)

Refined Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) Chassis
The Lancer boasts Mitsubishi's innovative Refined Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) chassis, which offers structural rigidity (to prevent longitudinal twisting), integrated, energy-absorbing crumple zones, strategically applied reinforcements at key body points and steel side-impact door beams to give you added peace of mind. These features help cradle you every mile you drive, as well as contribute to the Lancer's dynamic handling.

 

The rise chassis are for the 04 + models as they are the new platform, but the side impact rating was 4 stars in the consumer ratings report??

 

4-stars with side airbag?! Wow... that's a big jump!

Just checked Consumer Reports. They report NHTSA which, again, says 2 stars for side impact (driver). Strangely enough, 4 stars on the side impact for the passenger (all this without airbags).

But yeah... can any one verify when if the RISE chassis makes a difference? I tihnk I read something about side door beams being reinforced... but maybe they had this in the last generation Lancer?

 

Even 2 stars is pretty good guys. Look at what is protecting you. All the engineering in the world doesn't get by the fact that there is maybe 5 inches between you and the 2 ton object that hits the door. Whereas a front impact, you have 5 feet or more to work with.
But 4 stars with the side airbags? Are you sure? If so, that's awesome, I have side airbags. The front crash rating is 4 stars right? All in all, quite a safe car. Everything doesn't need to be 5 star safe for a car to be safe. Sure it give's Ford bragging rights on commercials, but that's basically it. Don't forget, the cars in this category are under 3000 pounds and the chance of dieing is less than, what is it in a 4 star, 15%?

 

I agree with the last post, you need to look at it from an engineering level and realize how that little of metal is disapating that much energy.

By the way, Lancer (Cedia 01+) always had a "RISE" chassis. Its just a name Mitsu gave it, no real great leaps in technology. Believe in the soundness of the design though, Volvo actually benchmarked it when the Lancer debuted here in 2002.

 

Well, I was looking at cars compared in its class. The Impreza, being the most safe, had 4-stars for its side impact. I believe that it didn't have side airbags, since they're standard only on the WRX, right?
Then there's the Corolla and Civic, both with 4-stars on side impact. Also in the same range.

But then again, if you get hit from the side hard enough, no amount of steel beams and metal will save you from getting injured (especially with only a certain amout of space between you and the side pillar as you say... Good point, by the way). But still...

So, if RISE has been in the Lancer since 01, then the conclusion should be that the 2-star side impact rating is the same rating that will be on the 04-05s, eh?

 

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer
Source: www.edmunds.com

NHTSA Ratings
Passenger: Good
Driver: Good
Side Impact Front: Poor
Side Impact Rear: Good
Rollover Rating: Good
NHTSA: Excellent, Good, Average, Poor, Very Poor, Not Tested

IIHS Ratings
Crash Offset: Good
Bumper Bash: Marginal
IIHS: Good, Acceptable, Marginal, Poor, Not Tested

Safety:
Antilock brakes are standard on the Ralliart models, and not available on the ES or O-Z Rally. Side airbags are optional on the O-Z Rally and Ralliart sedans. In government crash testing, the Lancer scored four (out of five) stars for driver and front passenger protection in frontal impacts. In side-impact tests, the Lancer received two stars for front-occupant protection (without side airbags) and four stars for rear-occupant protection. In frontal offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the Lancer received a "Good" rating (the highest possible).

I don't remember my source for the 2/4 stars difference for side airbags... damn. But I'm pretty sure of it, I remember I was pretty surprised too.