‘08 Lancer gets even better

But for a single distinction, Mitsubishi’s new Lancer would be nearly indistinguishable from every other mid-tier Japanese compact sedan.

The distinction?

That would be the over-the-top Lancer Evolution, a high-powered dream-car for budget-minded enthusiasts.

The next-generation Evo won’t appear until 2008, but it’s already made its mark on the Mitsubishi lineup. At the press introduction last month of the 2008 Lancer, Mitsubishi brass couldn’t help raving about how well the new Lancer platform would serve the forthcoming Evo.

Moreover, they noted, the all-new platform had adopted stiffening measures from the current Evo and exceeds that car’s torsional and bending rigidity.

And that is a splendid start.

The new Lancer is built on a longer wheelbase and wider track. It’s slightly shorter in overall length than before, which has the effect of moving the wheels toward the corners for a taut, muscular look.

Graced with eye-pleasing dimensions, the wedge-shaped sedan has an aggressive attitude, especially up front, where narrowly angled headlights flank a wafer-thin grille. Only a body-colored parking-lot strip interrupts the clean door panels.

Each of three trim levels is powered by a single engine offering. It’s a 152-horsepower, 2.0-liter four with variable intake and exhaust valve timing.

The base transmission is a five-speed manual, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) offered optionally. When ordered in the sport-tuned GTS, the CVT is programmed with six steps, which replicate gears, and can be shifted via steering-wheel-mounted magnesium paddles.

As the performance trim, GTS also gets 10-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels, front and side air dams, fog lamps, rear spoiler, chrome tailpipe tip, beefy stabilizer bars and unique shock damping.

Interior styling is a serious step up for Mitsubishi. Materials quality is much improved, as are the design and layout of the gauge cluster and instrument panels. Twin cowls wrap the speedometer and tachometer and the curved dash pushes the audio controls out toward the driver.

Each trim level receives its own interior trim and seating materials.

Safety gear includes a full set of air bags and anti-lock brakes, with electronic brake-force distribution, are standard on ES and GTS trims, optional on DE.