yea but shouldnt you be able to swap parts over?

i'd assume so

costly

you've got to pay to play...

2008 Lancer [MEGAMERGE]
 

It's finally up: click here

nice review

IMHO, it looks...too "Americanized." For some odd reason, the exterior reminds me of Chevy Malibu, especially from the provided angle...*shudders*... Gone are the simplistic and functional designs. The interior has a large, distracting silver bar that literally screams "Hey look at me, I'm silver..." which was the impression I got when I saw the interior shot. Seriously, that was it and nothing more. It's like these horribly structured sentences you're reading right now. The gauges look like they were pulled from the Pontiac G6; the center console from a Chevy HHR; the steering wheel...well, it's really more of an assorted dinner plate more than anything else, lots of the little stuff but nothing really good or solid (don't get me wrong, all the features are cool but it's like getting served candy on a dinner plate, the candy should compliment the meal and not be the meal); and the air vents reminds me of my grandma, which I can't really explain.


I mean, sure, the lancer has a cheap looking interior and materials but at least it was clean...except for the large square air vents; why didn't they go with circular air vents? I still think the Toyota Celica, Supra, and Honda S2000 has the best overall interior designs. All are very clean and driver oriented. Of course, these are not the only cars as there are lots of them out there with the driver in mind. I mean seriously, who cares if the passengers don't know the radio frequency/station you're listening since the radio station only announces it every other minute, or how hot you have it cranked up. But again, that's just me. I buy a car for the pleasure of driving, not because it gets me from point A to point B, there's public transportation for that purpose.

Chevy HHR interior:
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/images/...hevy_hhr_3.jpg

Pontiac G6 interior:
http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos....19_346x270.jpg

Lancer interior:
http://static.worldnow.com/nctd/imag...r-interior.jpg

Celica:
http://www.allfastcars.com/cars/toyo...cainterior.jpg

Supra:
http://www.killersupra.com/icon.php?categoryid=296

S2000:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...42816.1-lg.jpg


Prime example of a car that's not driver oriented.
http://www.autobytel.com/images/carP...rior2_500w.jpg

Hey let's get the whole family involved eh?

So you see, there's a vast amount of similarities between the new lancer and what GM's already stocking. IMHO of course.

Good review BTW.

The silver bar is definitely noticeable and will probably differ on the higher trim levels. It however does not both me when driving the car and the interior as a whole just feels more cohesive and refinied. Don't get me wrong her, I am not saying its on par with an infiniti or mercedes, just very good for its class and at least IMO, a vast improvement over the previous model. I also really liked the gauge cluster.

I do see what you are saying, and I like how you clearly site examples, but I stand by my statements. This was especially noticeable when after driving around in this for an hour, I hopped in a 2006 lancer.

loks good though. but i think that this lancer is like my 02, i think it would look better with a spoiler, nothing stupit like a wing i jus like the stock 02 lancers better with the stock spoiler instead of plain

Yes, the DE and ES models are pretty plain looking...almost rental car like. The GTS model (which we will be testing in the next couple weeks) looks much better and comes with a spoiler, 18" wheels, and lower body modlings.

its different, but I like it...

I do agree with most of what you are saying. But the examples you are using to compare to the new lancer, in my opinon, are not fair. A s2000, Celica, and Supra are totally different cars. They were built using a different mind set. This car is different. I agree that maybe having 6 cup holders and all the storage areas made the interior seem a little more "americanized", but if you were able to see both interiors (old lancer and new) in person, you would agree that the newer one just had a more solid feel to it. I guess what I'm saying is the pictures really don't do it any justice.

the article mentions
"Leg room front and rear is surprisingly good even for full grown adults"

Does this mean that its roomier than the current Lancer? Are there any official interior dimensions out yet?

This is the most basic of base Lancers and it look to be on par with the RA performance wise.... so what's the GTS going to have in store in terms of drivetrain? Will the 2008-09 m.y. be like the 2002-03 with the 3 base models being mostly separated by trim?

I'm impressed and a little envious of the redesigned engine. MiVEC becomes like iVTEC with the front IM. I wonder what the NA upper limit will be.

Does the suspension appear to be simialr to any of the previous models? That would be nice for new owners who want to upgrade straight away to Tein or one of the other up-and-coming coilover setups.

ah ha! so it is faster than the current ralliart.

lolz :D

and wow the 2002-2005 subaru wrx's only have 173whp and 168 wtq. And there powerband barley starts making a difference until you hit 4,400 rmps. This DOHC mivec sounds very very good. I have NO DOUBTS that with intake exhaust and headers you can take any older model subie, and even maybe the current civic si. ( note wrx only from a roll ) And what is 143 wheel hp in crank terms? like 170 bhp, and about 170 tq. But damn its heavy :(

Man i wish my old lancer had those numbers, 02-06 lancers had 90whp on auto's and 95-98whp on manuals.

Turbo 08 lancer > turbo ralliart imho. I wonder if the GTS model will have a more aggresive factory tune. Doesnt it have like 100+ pounds less weight that the DE and ES?

Im excited!