Mitsubishi slashes Lancer Evo prices
BY RON HAMMERTON | 24th Aug 2012
The price cuts accompany a minor facelift for the broader Lancer range to reverse a sales slip and give it new legs until the all-new model arrives in 2014.
Prices for the flagship Evolution – Evo for short – now start at $56,990 (plus on-road costs), down $5400 on the previous price.
This is now $3000 cheaper than the equivalent Subaru WRX STI, instead of more than $2300 dearer as previously.
The dual-clutch-equipped Evo, TC-SST, also cops a $5400 haircut, bringing the price down to $61,990.
The flagship Evo MR SST gets the biggest price reduction, falling from $74,890 to $65,990 – a plunge of $8900.
This plunks the dual-clutch-only Evo MR right on top of Subaru’s headlining WRX STI Spec R, at the same $65,990.
“This is not a crazy thing we are doing here, we are right-pricing the car,” he said.
Mr Tol said Mitsibishi had been selling about 10 Evos a month for about 120 a year, but wanted to lift that to about 150 a year.
The Evo – in sedan form only – is still powered by an intercooled and turbocharged 2.0-litre DOHC MIVEC engine, generating an impressive 217kW of power at 6500rpm and 366Nm of torque at 3500rpm – 4kW and 41Nm less than Subaru’s bigger 2.5-litre turbo WRX STI engine.
The base Evo comes with either a five-speed manual or the optional dual-clutch auto, but the top-shelf MR has no manual alternative.
The Evo misses out on the exterior tweaks that other Lancer sedans and hatches get in the facelift, but inside, the Evolution gets a new audio system with a 6.1-inch colour screen, iPod connectivity and rear view camera interface.
The Evolution MR upgrades to the new Mitsubishi Multi Communication System (MMCS) which comes with a seven-inch touch screen, iPod connectivity, voice activated Bluetooth and navigation control and 3D mapping.
An optional $3000 Evolution Performance Pack for the manual Evo adds Brembo two-piece front disc brakes, Bilstein front and rear shock absorbers, Eibach front and rear springs and 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels.
The Evo comes in five colours – Starlight, Titanium, Phantom Black, Red and new colour Sapphire.
| 2012 Mitsubishi Evo pricing (plus on-road costs): | |
| Lancer Evolution 5MT | $56,990 |
| Lancer Evolution TC-SST | $61,990 |
| Lancer Evolution MR TC-SST | $65,990 |
