The Lancer Sportback, as Mitsubishi calls it, shows off its reworked grille and front fascia, a feature common to all 2004 Lancers. The design is a big improvement over the Lexus-like grille of the current car, sportier and more in tune with the youthful audience the car is targeting. The Sportback's vertical taillight pillars give it an upscale appearance, similar in execution to Volvo's V70 wagon - not bad company.
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| In true wagon fashion the Sportback has plenty of carrying room, over 1,198 L (42.3 cu ft). (Photo: Mitsubishi) |
That square back end is especially well proportioned for carrying stuff, fitting up to 1,198 L (42.3 cu ft) of cargo with the split rear seatback folded flat. Passenger volume is impressive as well, 1,097 mm (43.2 in) of front legroom and 930 mm (36.6 in) in the theater style raised rear seating area. Altogether the Sportback LS boasts a total passenger volume of 2,676 L (94.5 cu ft) - that's a lot of dance room, can't wait for the TV ad. But wait, there's even slightly more at 2,699 L (95.3 cu ft) in the Ralliart edition.
The what? To be clear two trim levels are offered, the base LS and racy Ralliart edition. The latter shows off a lower body kit complete with front, side and rear aerodynamic aids, a unique grille, tinted headlamp lenses and projector-beam fog lamps.
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| Sport suspension, tighter bushings, and a stiff 3-point front strut are a couple of the added features on the special edition Ralliart Sportback. (Photo: Mitsubishi) |
The special edition deals up a few less immediately noticeable features too, such as a full sport suspension that includes uniquely tuned spring rates, specified damper tuning, tighter bushings, a more responsive steering rack and a stiff 3-point front strut tower brace.