Ok…we all know that Honda has the new Civic SI with some impressive HP numbers to say the least with other goodies packed in the cabin and so forth. On to my point, 197 factory is a pretty big number from factory regardless of the -30 HP due to the transmission loss. Now I ask you do you think Mitsubishi is going to “respond” on the next Lancer model by upping its HP and standard features also? I don’t know about you but I consider Lancers competitors to Civics because it’s all it the same class. We can all group the together for example Lancer, Civic, Focus, Cobalt, Mazda 3, Corolla, and so forth. Now last generation we were near the bottom as far as base model HP goes. (Lancer 120, Corolla 130, Mazda 3 140-150, Civic 115-120) You get the idea…Now we can jump into the “street” models of the cars (Ralliart, SI, (SS long shot)) so forth) and I believe we are competing pretty well on that level. But, on the base level even Civics now have more standard HP and features than most of the entry level cars. I don’t know about you but I think Lancers are competitors/equivalents to Civics. Yes, I know Mitsubishi does not race Lancers like Honda races Civics (God, I wish they would) but its much more than a “race” thing.

My question to you is do you think Mitsubishi is going to “respond” to the Civic with an upgraded Lancer and “street” model or am I just taking this to personally? I could be entirely wrong in thinking that Lancers compare to Civics…

Opinions?

 

Mitsu has had a responce since 04....

http://www.mitsubishimotors.com/MMSA...&1139515134350

-Danno

 

umm yea, but i think he's talking about the base models. the RA is basically mitsus Si.

 

if the sport concept is any indication.... yes?

They might but then they'd also have to revamp the looks of the car...

 

which they should change styling. In my opinon the 04-06 models took a plunge in styling department. (all you guys with them. dont take it personally. some are awsome, like twistys.) I think the lancers sales will plumit even farther if they didnt do anything about it. Get a much faster civic with a much nicer interior for around the same price.... Most young people that buy these kinda cars will go for the faster more stylish one. imo

 

^^ i agree

 

i think mitsu needs to respond with a body style similar to the 02-03 model and maybe put some MIVEC technology under the ES,LS,OZ and not just the ralliart....hell maybe an old 4g63t off of the eclipse GST....

 

There has got to be a DOHC head they can bolt on to the 4G9X series engine and give us a bump in hp. Think of all the possibilities with that. The Mirage boys would be all over the junk yards grappling up our old lancers, well what's left of them after we get our hands on them first.

WADAD

 

Yeah, I know about Ralliarts and you would have seen that if you looked at my post a little more closely. But, can a Ralliart keep up with a SI? What I am asking is do you think that this "shift" is going to cause Mitsubishi to change its Lancer platform to compete with Civics/SI's or am I wrong in thinking that Civics and Lancers are on the same platfom?

 

AMEN TO THAT!!!

....about the "civic platform"....i don't really think we were ever in direct competition with the civic. the production of the ralliart just seemed to be mitsu's effort to produce a more affordable lancer for those in search of a "quicker" econo-box sedan but couldn't afford an EVO. indeed, many lancer owners tend to be thrown in the same classification as a civic because,well....--> both 4cylinder, 90-120hp range, FWD...yeah you get the point....

as much as i'd like to see mitsu come out with a quicker base lancer to keep up with honda..i dont think it will happen.

 

Mitsubishi is already changing its Lancer platform. Has anyone seen the new Dodge Caliber? Take a good hard look because that is gonna be the next lancer platform. Also Mitsu is going with the global engine that Daimler Chrysler has produced for the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and PT Crusier.

Its getting kinda sad.

 

World Engines

143hp - 1.8L
150hp - 2.0L
173hp - 2.4L

that's the same platform as the lancer? ...and the lancer is a neon sized SUV ?

last i knew we were a 120hp - 2.0L econo-box sedan. i can agree that the swap to World engines isn't a nice one but i'm not so sure that the dodge calibur will be our next "platform" of competition.

 

It was going to be the same platform. I wonder if it will still be since Daimler Chrysler sold its stake in Mitsubishi.

 

+1

 

The Caliber is using a platform designed by Mitsubishi, the R&D, tooling, and production schedule were long decided before Chrysler decided to sell their stake. Companies can collaborate without owning one another. Chryselr sold their stake in Hyundai the year prior.

Considering the fact that the previous Si, the Mazdaspeed Protege, and Focus SVT were all failures, I doubt Mitsi will take the leading egde in this market. The new Si is the darling of the automotive press, but we'll still need to see how well they will sell. I think RA's sell okay, but not enough for Mitsu to justify an increase in their budget to develop a class leading one.