So here's the deal. We know Mitsubishi just held a long-lead introduction for its new Mitsubishi Lancer. Journalists were invited to sample the new car (not us, unfortunately), excluding the Ralliart and EVO models, in exchance for a promise not to publish pictures until late December and driving impressions until late January. Now, inviting a bunch of gear heads to drive the second coming from Mitsubishi and letting them loose on public roads is just asking for precious info to be leaked. And so it has to us in the form of an anonymous (of course) tip. Here's the long and short of it...

Wheelbase: 104 in.
Track, f/r: 60 in./60 in.
Length: 178 in.
Width: 71 in.
Height: 55 in.
Curb Weight: 2,800 lbs.
Engine: 140hp / 135ft-lbs. 2.0-liter I-4
Transmission: 5-speed Manual or CVT

These are most likely specs for the ES or SE model and reveal the base engine to be a 2.0-liter version of the World Engine that Mitsubishi co-developed with DaimlerChrysler and Hyundai. Also of note is the lack of an automatic transmission as an option, with only a CVT being offered to those who don't row their own boat with the optional 5-speed. Take a look at the Lancer's width, too: 71 inches. That figure dwarfs the 2006 model at 66.8 inches and nearly all of its main competitors, including the Honda Civic (69 in.) and Mazda3 (69.1). We're going to stop the speculation here for fear Mitsubishi agents have breached our perimeter and are planning a raid on the Autoblog HQ at any moment.

guys i have leaked (they've been out for a month or so...) europe market specifications (don't ask how i got them) but they are real!!!
1,5 petrol (dohc, mivec) 11? hp, 14? Nm

1,8 petrol (dohc, mivec, new engine) 14? hp, 17? Nm

vw sourced 2,0 diesel 136 hp, 310 Nm (same engine used in grandis and new outlander)

and now the stuff you're waiting for

2,0 turbo petrol (4B11t detuned, dohc, mivec, turbocharged with intercooler)
22? hp, 3? Nm = LANCER RALLIART!!!
(8/2008 4door sedan and hatch (sportback concept!) = for europe

2,0 turbo petrol (4B11t, dohc, mivec, turbocharged with intercooler)
29? hp, 3?? Nm = EVO X!!!!!!!!!!

these are of course preliminary specifications....
torque is in Nm not ft.lbs (some one please convert)

i think mitsu will raise the hp of evo x to 300hp in final specs because of marketing reasons...

specs are 100% true

sorry for my english

As we've mentioned previously, a lucky group of journos got the chance to take the new Mitsubishi Lancer out for a spin earlier this week. The downside was that no one could give any details about the experience, nor any of the hard data they surely received in their press packet, until the embargo has been lifted later this year.

However, our man who hails from 'our favorite kind of road' left the little junket "impressed" and was able to shed some light on what trim levels we can expect from the new Lancer. First off, he didn't drive Ralliart or Evolution variants, however, he did divulge that three trim levels would be made available once the Lancer hits dealers. On the Ralliart side of things, Mr. Paukert made it clear that the Ralliart versions will be more along the lines of say, Subaru's STI, offering more power and more toys. That's definitely a step in the right direction, as the Ralliart versions we've had to endure here in the States have generally sucked.

The increase in exterior size, interior capacity and power is a definite indication that the Lancer seeks to be many more things to many more people that its predecessors. In an effort for Mitsubishi to become more competitive on the world stage these three features are absolute musts, which brings us to a tipper by the name of Kevin.

He threw together this listing of information which, of course, we have no way of confirming, although much of it seems very feasible. Beginning with the technical stuff, Kevin reports that the Lancer will come equipped with a fully independent front and rear suspension, front and rear disc brakes equipped with ABS, an 18-gallon fuel tank and 12 cubic feet of trunk space. The base, 2.4-liter four will make 140 HP at 6,000 RPM and 135 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4,000 RPM, with EPA mileage figures to run 28 city/35 highway. The Ralliart version will bump up power into the 175 HP range. Standard side airbags will make the IIHS happy and traction control will be an option.

Kevin's pricing estimates are as follows:
DE - $15,000
ES - $16,500
GTS - $18,000
Ralliart - $22,000

The official information on the Lancer and a near-production version of the EVO will come out during the Detroit Auto Show, although we expect more information to leak as the date draws near.