Gutsy diesel makes the new Lancer a great drivers' car

A fantastic engine dominates the experience of driving the new 1.8 litre Mitsubishi Lancer Diesel. The rest of the car is good too, from the handling to the interior, but the 150ps unit under the prominent bonnet is what makes the most memorable impression. According to Mitsubishi, the Lancer diesel can accelerate from rest to 100kmh in 9.9 seconds, but it feels quicker than that, not in a push-you-back-into the seat way, more in a constant surge of acceleration, particularly in fourth gear. There's a bit of turbo lag, but get used to and allow for that, and overtaking will be safe and swift, as well as enjoyable. The new Lancer is a good-looking car in an understated way that hides its potency well. If you saw it in a car park, you wouldn't look that closely at it. But that's no bad thing, only boy racers want a car that attracts attention, right? The Lancer is a former world rally champion and remains popular at national club level, where its prowess on the stages and that reliability put it near the top of the list for those with winning ambitions. Though the road going diesel version is a more humble cousin to the Evo, it retains some of its driving pleasure. It will also benefit from the reliability that Mitsubishi drivers have known about for generations and drivers of many other makes can only dream about. The new engine is a 1.8 litre common rail, direct injection diesel and combined with a six-speed gearbox, it makes for smooth and rapid progress... cheap progress too as Mitsubishi says the car will use only 5.3 litres of fuel per 100km. The new all-aluminum DOHC 16v four-cylinder common rail direct injection complies with Euro 5 regulations and has been jointly developed by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It features innovative technology such as a new variable geometry turbocharger and high-efficiency combustion. The highlight of this technology, Mitsubishi says, is its proprietary MIVEC variable valve timing system, a world first for a passenger car diesel engine. The equipment level in the test car, which had the Diamond Pack, was excellent thanks to more than 40 safety, styling and comfort features, including 16-inch alloys, blue tooth phone connectivity with voice recognition, cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel and air conditioning. The fold-in mirrors are also very handy - for parking in tight spaces and so other motorists or careless passers-by don't damage them. The rear spoiler, which catches the eye the first time you look in the rear-view mirror, the front airdam and the other styling elements are also part of the Diamond Pack, along with the nine airbags, active stability control, electronic traction control and an emergency stop system. The Lancer, like its Mitsubishi stable-mates, comes with a three-year/100,000km warranty and three years' European-wide assist for your peace of mind. Mitsubishi Motors Ireland expects to sell 700 of these cars in 2011 and Bradys Cavan has a special offer until the end of April of €18,995 with scrappage - you would be well advised to have a look, and more importantly, have a drive, as you're getting the level of performance of a larger car in a compact package that appeals as much to enthusiastic drivers as those with a keen eye on the wallet.