Mitsubishi to add Lancer SE AWD for 2012

Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com

In the first 6 months of 2011, Mitsubishi Lancer sales dropped by 31% in Canada compared to the same period last year. The Japanese brand will mix things up in 2012 with the addition of the Lancer SE AWD.

Powered by a 148-hp, 2.0-litre engine, the SE trim will be available with the RVR crossover’s AWC (All Wheel Control) system; basically, it’s a simplified setup compared to the one found in the Ralliart and Evolution models, which means it won’t utilize the Active Center Differential as well as front and rear limited-slip diffs.

The 2011 Lancer SE is priced at $19,398, so expect the 2012 SE AWD model to cost somewhere around $22,000, which will also include the continuously-variable automatic (CVT) gearbox with manual mode.

In the compact-sedan segment, the only other model to feature all-wheel drive is the Lancer’s nemesis, the Subaru Impreza.