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Wikipedia: Mitsubishi Lancer
Wikipedia: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Page Sections History Images Documents Merchandise Article Index |
History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Mitsubishi Lancer page on 22 April 2018, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Mitsubishi Lancer is a compact car produced by the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi since 1973.
It has been marketed as the Colt Lancer, Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Chrysler Lancer, Eagle Summit, Hindustan Lancer, Soueast Lioncel, and Mitsubishi Mirage in various countries at different times, and has been sold as the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis in Japan since 2007. It has also been sold as Mitsubishi Lancer Fortis in Taiwan with a different facelift than the Galant Fortis. In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza.
Between its introduction in 1973 and 2008, over six million units had been sold. According to Mitsubishi, there were nine generations of development before the current model.
Mitsubishi has ended production of the Lancer in August 2017 worldwide, with the exception of Taiwan and mainland China.
1973–1979
The first Lancer (A70) was launched in February 1973. It served to fill the gap between the Minica kei car and the larger Galant. The sporting 1600 GSR model began the Lancer's long and successful rally history, winning the Safari Rally twice and the Southern Cross Rally four times.
There were four body styles, two- and four-door sedans, a two-door hardtop coupe and a long-running five-door station wagon (built until replaced by the front-wheel drive Lancer/Mirage Van in March 1984). Engines were different 1.2-liter, 1.4-liter, and 1.6-liter fours.
This car was marketed under a variety of names: Dodge Colt in the United States, Plymouth Colt in Canada, Dodge Lancer in some Latin American countries, Chrysler Valiant Lancer in Australia, and Colt Lancer in some European markets.
1979–1987
In 1979, the all new Lancer EX was unveiled in Japan. Its new, clean and aerodynamic styling with integrated plastic bumpers reflected that of the recently introduced Galant and Sapporo. It was of a more European appearance than earlier Mitsubishis. Considerably more spacious, it grew in all dimensions. Only two engines were offered at first, a 1.4-liter MCA-JET equipped engine paired with Mitsubishi's Silent Shaft Technology, which generated 80 PS (59 kW) and a 1.6-liter engine that generated 85 PS (63 kW). The MCA-JET system was an entirely new concept when compared with the previously used carburetor system. The MCA stands for Mitsubishi Clean Air which meant that the EX passed both Japan and US emission standards, while the new cylinder head design of the engine gave way for a Jet valve which introduced an extra swirl of air to the combustion chamber, swirling the fuel-air mixture for a cleaner, efficient and more thorough burn.
1988–2000: Mirage-based Lancer
Between 1988 and 2000, the Lancer in Japan derived from the subcompact Mirage—itself sold in many export markets under the name Colt. Mitsubishi had originally launched the Mirage in 1978 as a front-wheel drive hatchback, with a sedan variant later released in 1982—and a version of which sold in Japan as Lancer Fiore. Five generations of Mirage were manufactured by Mitsubishi up until 2003, with new generations released in 1983, 1987 (with the equivalent Lancer delayed until 1988), 1991, and 1995. It was not until 1988—with the 1979 to 1987 Lancer now departed—that the Mirage-based Lancer eschewed the Fiore suffix.
Between 1982 and 1987, the aforementioned Mirage sedan with minor styling modifications sold as the Lancer Fiore through Japanese retail channels. The Fiore spanned two generations, the second of which came to the market in 1983. Internationally, the Fiore sedan often sold under the abbreviated name Lancer, and sometimes as the "Lancer F" (for example, in Germany). Thus, with the rear-wheel drive Lancer as introduced in 1979 and the front-wheel drive Lancer Fiore, Mitsubishi had two similarly sized models competing in the same market segment, sometimes even while sharing the Lancer badge.
Although naming conventions varied, for all generations, sedan versions of the Mirage were typically badged as Lancer in export markets, although notably not in the United States. In Japan, sedan variants of the Mirage and Lancer sold alongside one another with minor differences in trim. The station wagon, part of the 1983 and 1991 iterations, was typically known as the Lancer in export markets. Likewise, the Mirage coupe variant, available with the 1991 and 1995 generations, also became part of the Lancer lineup in some regions.
Mitsubishi introduced replacements for the Mirage starting in 2000, with a new generation of Lancer sedan—now larger and having moved up to the compact segment. Then in 2002, a subcompact five-door hatchback badged Colt internationally became available, thus substituting the Mirage hatchback. By 2003, the Mirage had been completely phased out of mainstream Japanese production and Lancer became the primary title for Mitsubishi's compact offerings.
2000–2007
November 2000 saw the release in Japan of the Lancer Cedia (meaning CEntury DIAmond); though in most markets the previous 1995 vintage Mirage-based Lancer continued on, built at Mitsubishi's Mizushima plant in Japan. The new model was available in sedan and station wagon forms. In Europe, the Lancer was not offered in some countries, being too close to the size of the Dutch-built Mitsubishi Carisma, so the Evo VII model sold there bore the Carisma name. This series of Lancer is still sold in Japan where the 2007 onwards generation Lancer is known as "Galant Fortis".
In February 2003 for the 2004 model year, a heavily restyled Lancer surfaced with a front styling that brought it into line with the Mitsubishi corporate look, as well as a restyled rear, to further differentiate itself from the Lancer Evolution. The car's grille was then redesigned again in 2005 for the 2006 model year.
2007–2017
In 2005, Mitsubishi revealed the "Concept X" model car at the Tokyo Motor Show and its "Concept Sportback" model at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Lancer was previewed by these two concepts. The new Lancer was officially revealed in January 2007 at the Detroit Motor Show and went on sale in North American markets in March 2007 as a 2008 model. New Lancer features Mitsubishi's next-generation RISE safety body.
2017–present
In January 2017, Mitsubishi Motors agreed to continue the Lancer nameplate in Chinese markets including Taiwan and mainland China after 2017 due to ongoing popular demand for the Lancer nameplate within the Chinese-speaking world. The development of the new Grand Lancer in Taiwan or Lancer EX for China was led and designed by the Taiwanese China Motor Corporation (CMC). Part of the design was partnered with Pininfarina Shanghai. Due to the international version being discontinued, the new generation Lancer will be built on the same platform as the existing model as an extensive facelift. The new Lancer is planned to be launched on the Chinese car market in mid 2017. It comes with the new Mitsubishi Dynamic Shield grille and redesigned creases over the side body panels. The interior, front hood, front bumpers, front fenders, front and rear door panels including the rear passenger door window, the boot lid, and the rear bumper would be completely redesigned for the new generation, while the rest will be carried over from the pre 2017 model.
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Public domain clip art image from WP Clipart
View Mitsubishi Lancer Clipart - 41KB |
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Evolution IV Photo ©2013 Bill Crittenden 2013 GTR Summer NNL View photo of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV Model Car - 3.1MB |
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Evolution IV Photo ©2013 Bill Crittenden 2013 GTR Summer NNL View photo of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV Model Car - 3.0MB |
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Evolution MR Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden 2012 The Cars Time Forgot View photo of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR - 4.7MB |
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Evolution MR Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden 2012 The Cars Time Forgot View photo of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR - 3.5MB |
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Evolution MR Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden 2012 The Cars Time Forgot View photo of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR - 4.8MB |
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Evolution VIII Photo ©2017 Bill Crittenden View photo of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII - 592KB |
| Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 5 October 2005 | FMVSS 301-Fuel System Integrity 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer 4-Door Sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |  PDF - 5.2MB - 43 pages |
| 11 October 2005 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 124: Accelerator Control Systems 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer 4-Door Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1.9MB - 83 pages |
| classified date 2007 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer ES, 4-door sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 8.1MB - 118 pages |
| 23 October 2007 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 135: Passenger Car Brake Systems 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer DE, 4-door Sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 22.2MB - 73 pages |
| 13 June 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 201: Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, Upper Interior Head Impact Protection 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, 4-Door Sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 4.0MB - 154 pages |
| 9 September 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS No. 138: Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Four-Door Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1.9MB - 62 pages |
| 24 September 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS No. 401: Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Four-Door Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 2.0MB - 29 pages |
| 3 October 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 118: Power-Operated Window, Partition, And Roof Panel Systems 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 2.1MB - 34 pages |
| 7 November 2008 | Vehicle Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 208, Occupant Crash Protection; FMVSS 212, Windshield Mounting; FMVSS 219, Windshield Intrustion (Partial); FMVSS 301, Fuel System Integrity 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 40.8MB - 346 pages |
| 14 November 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 225: Child Restraint Anchorage Systems (Lower and Tether Anchorages) 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 7.4MB - 97 pages |
| 30 December 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 225: "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems" 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 2.0MB - 74 pages |
| 11 November 2010 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 126: Electronic Stability Control Systems 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 5.8MB - 66 pages |
| Type & Item # | Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Die Cast - Hot Wheels L9938-0918H | 2008 Lancer Evolution | 2008 New Models, small scale, dark red |
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 28 July 2006 | Something New For The Newest Mitsubishi Lancer | Jenny McLane |
| 12 June 2008 | Mitsubishi Motors Unveil Lancer Sportback | Anthony Fontanelle |
| 26 June 2012 | A chrome Mitsubishi Evo  | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 11 December 2012 | Spotted - Mitsubishi Evo 1 | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 20 August 2013 | Car Stories: Mitsubishi Lancer OZ Racing Rally Edition | Bill Crittenden |
| 27 March 2014 | The Legends Are Back - The New Subaru WRX STI And Mitsubishi Evo X | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 7 September 2014 | Dream Battle: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution vs Subaru WRX STI in WOS | Denis Flierl |
| 13 September 2014 | 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: From top of the world to rock bottom | Denis Flierl |
