In addition to passenger comfort, Mitsubishi Motors engineers set out to optimize occupant safety in the event of a collision. The Lancer's computer-designed unibody structure was developed to be highly rigid for excellent crashworthiness. The reinforced passenger cage incorporates side door beams that help protect passengers from lateral collisions, while front and rear crumple zones work to absorb impact forces and direct crash force away from the occupants. Standard driver and front passenger airbags deploy in the event of a severe frontal collision while optional seat-mounted side airbags (available on Lancer LS) help protect the driver and front passenger in a side crash. Three-point seat belts are included for all five passengers, with pretensioners and shoulder height adjustment included for the driver and front passenger. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) are offered on Lancer LS models.
Lancer will be available at Mitsubishi retailers beginning in August 2001. Final pricing will be announced closer to the introduction date and is expected to range from under $14,000 for the ES to under $17,000 for the O-Z(R) Rally edition.