Oh, and that unlikely engine swap between the SRT-4 and the Lancer? I confirmed that the platform isn't remotely similar (some might say duh, but, as with the mirage/ES suspension compatibility, sometimes longshots pay off) seeing as it is the same engine as in the PT Cruiser GT, which I know is a different block type/manufacturer than our lovely little N/A Lancer. Just thought I'd correct myself before anyone else did.

 

I did not read this whole forum, but if no one has said this yet, i talked to my mitsubihi dealer the other day about trade my lancer in for a used MT, he I would be better off if I waited for the 2004 lancer. B/C it's going to have a 2.4 with 180hp and I think he said 190 pounds of Tur. so I thought I would drop my 2 cents in, thats about all

 

I'll believe it when they're sold. And then I'll steal parts from them.

190 pounds of Tur? Do you mean lbs/ft of torque? (I'm kinda assuming so)

EDIT: Call me a skeptic, but I see less big things coming for the Lancer from Mitsubishi and more coming from the aftermarket.

 

i wont believe it till i see it either for the 2004 lancer model.. mitsu has been saying for years that evo would be here.. i'm even skeptic on the evo coming next year.. heheh.. just cant wait to see it to believe it.

 

Unless they're doing some serious work on the 4G64, I'm not buying that at all. Most dealers are clueless anyway, as has been pointed out more times than I can count in this whole Evo bidness.

 

I havn't read this whole post either but in Road and track or car and driver..one of the two.... they said that there will be a lancer with the 2.4 liter engine...producing about 170hp. Torque I have no clue. They said it is supposed to bridge the gap between the 120 hp lancer and the evo. Supposed to be like the civic si and other cars like that. But who knows.....I believe it when i see it too. Cause at one time there was supposed to be a Supercharged eclipse...that fell through real fast. But anyway...just my two cents.

 

I don't foresee that kind of power gain for the reason that the R&D necessary to make that power from that engine wouldn't be cost effective.

Also, if you had read the entire thread, you'd see that one of the reasons that the HP/TQ wouldn't be above, oh say, 150/160 is that any more really would put the 04 in competition with the Eclipse, which is a bad idea. You don't kill your sport coupe by pumping massive amounts of power into your low end econobox, not unless it's gonna be an ultra-limited release (and relatively expensive) vehicle. However, that much power would put it in effective competition with the 2.5RS and the base model RSX.

What you have to remember is that as far as vehicle release goes, enthusiasm takes a back seat to profit margin. That's why the Supra died, the RX-7 died, and the 3000GT died. Makin' money is the name of the game, or as Paul says, hustlin'.

 

actually announced that the Outlander will get 160hp for the 2004 model using the 4G64.
Don't forget that the 4G64 in the 1994 Galant GS was a DOHC that peaked at 160hp. Also, has the MIVEC system that should not be too hard to redesign and fit to the existing 4G64 block.
just did so for the 1.3l and 1.5l engines in the new COLT.
lets keep our hopes up.

 

Be that as it may, that would require alot more than I think Mitsu is wanting to put out. I mean, granted, the 160 is a tad higher than I said (still not 170 or 180), but, Mivec coming to our shores, and on that large of a block? Correct me if I'm wrong, but, hasn't MIVEC exclusively appeared on much much smaller blocks, as in less than 1.8? I mean, 2.4 is alot bigger. Again, don't look for it to climb much higher than that. 170 and 180 (and I personally think 160) are pipe dreams if for nothing but the fact that it will create competition between the clearly dilineated model line that exists now. If anything, if something like that existed, again, if, it would probably be something like the Mazdaspeed Protoge, in a very limited release, and probably would bear little sembalance to the current generation of Lancer. I mean, I don't know, but, it kind of seems a bit nutty to get a new generation this early. Especially if it's taking as long as it has for the next generation Galant to get off the ground, and the Lancer has found it's own bit of popularity.

 

All I continue to think about is how many unsold current generation Si's sit on dealers lots now. In my area, they are selling them cheaper than some of the EX models, even though the MSRP is a shade under 20K. I just think that a wide release of a higher performance Lancer would end up about the same.

 

You have very valid concerns regarding sales cannibalization and sales potential for a up-spec Lancer.
Actually there are 3.0l V6 MIVEC (Diamante) and 3.5l V6 MIVEC (Pajero EVO and BAJA 2000 Montero Sport) in existence.
The next Galant is being released ahead of schedule, and after the usual 5 year life-cycle. So the Galant development was not unusually long, really.
The 4G64 MIVEC would likely also power the base Eclipse and Galant. With the Galant getting larger and the Eclipse being a coupe, the segments are different enough to prevent cannibalization.

 

Exactly. And bringing the DOHC 2.4 GS engine out of mothball and flipping it around won't be a big deal, and if they do stick MIVEC on it, 170-180 might not be a problem. However, I tend to think conservatively so if it comes with 160, so be it. Fact is, Mitsu was able to get 170+ out of the 1.6L Mivec from the Asti/Cyrborg so many years ago. So with 2.4L to play with, it doesn't seem so farfetched. As far as stepping on the Eclipses toes, I don't see it as much of a issue either. These OZ's will still only account for about 20% of Lancer sales, maybe less depending on price and will probably appeal mostly to a male audience. Most Eclipse buyers are female and wouldn't care about having less horsepower then some funny looking yellow sedan sitting on the otherside of the showroom. If they do, they can get a GT.

Yeah, rumor has it it kept tearing up the sportronic tranny and would barely fit under the hood.

 

Most were females until this latest incarnation. I still doubt that Mitsu would risk it. Personal opinion.

 

IN MY OPINION WELL I HAVE A OZ LANCER I THINK IT SUCKS!!!
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A TURBO ON IT BUT TOO MUCH MONEY FOR A SHI!!! CAR WELL ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT NEXT TIME I WILL BUY A CHEVY CORVETTE FORGET ABOUT THE LANCER EVOLUTION GO DOMESTIC!!! IMPORT REALLY SUCKS **** WAYST OF MONEY

 

Right... anyone mention how annoying caps and stupidity are in a civilized conversation?