Overview

The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is the newest addition to the multiple award-winning Lancer line up. It comes with a unique and aggressive styling as the rally-inspired Lancer Evolution with greater flexibility to suit active lifestyles. Its overall length is just a bit longer than the four-door Lancer sedan but gains substantial cargo-carrying flexibility when the 60:40-split rear seats are folded flat by its one-touch auto-folding feature. The versatile 2010 Lancer Sportback hatchback is available in GTS and Ralliart trims with comprehensive bumper-to-bumper warranties. The GTS comes with a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty with a fully transferable 5-year/60,000 mile warranty for subsequent owners, and a 5-year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. The Ralliart offers a fully transferable 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain package and a 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. Both the GTS and Ralliart come with a 7-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty and 5-year unlimited miles Roadside Assistance benefits.

Powertrain And Performance

The Lancer Sportback GTS features Mitsubishi's efficient 2.4-liter engine that churns out 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. This engine can be teamed with either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed CVT automatic transmission with magnesium paddle shifters. The rear cargo floor of the GTS can be cleverly lowered three inches, yielding 52.7 cubic ft. maximum cargo space. The Lancer Sportback Ralliart derives power from the Mitsubishi's 2.0-liter MIVEC turbocharged engine pumps out 237 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. All-Wheel Control (AWC) with Active Center Differential (ACD) is standard, as is the quick-shifting six-speed Twin Clutch-Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) and magnesium paddle shifters that it shares with the high performance Lancer Evolution.

Build And Styling

The Sportback, with its signature "jet fighter" grille, can be immediately recognizable as a Lancer from the front. However it is completely new from the C-pillar rearward. It has some premium interior features like those found on the Lancer sedans. The top end Ralliart comes with a standard 140-watt CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers. A 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate Premium Sound System, in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability, plus Sirius Satellite Radio is available. A hard disc-drive navigation system with Mitsubishi's exclusive Diamond Lane Guidance to provide route guidance is optional. Recaro sport seats that provide optimal support for the driver and front passenger are also optional.

Safety Features

An advanced dual front air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with occupant sensors, front seat-mounted side-impact air bags and side curtain air bags, a driver's knee air bag and Active Stability Control (ASC) are standard. Every Lancer Sportback has a built-in Anti-Theft system with immobilizer key, and the Touring Package adds HID (high intensity discharge) headlamps. The GTS is equipped with Reinforced Impact Safety Engineering (RISE), a unibody construction designed to help absorb energy in a collision.