First drive: Sportback hatches Lancer offensive

1 Apr 1977

By THE GOAUTO TEAM

A facelift, revised dashboard and new trim accompanied the ’77 change.

Transmission choices remained the same – a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic.

Although sales quotas were about to be lifted, the unexpected success of the larger, Mitsubishi-developed (but locally built) Chrysler GE Sigma, and a wholesale move to the front-wheel drive hatchback format for small cars, put the LB sedan range in the shade.