Mitsubishi's new Lancer arrived in dealer showrooms last week with much to prove and an almost three year gap to bridge since the model was discontinued here in 2000.
 
The asking price back then was perceived to be too rich - even for an Irish public who know all there is to know about elevated prices. By contrast, to-day's Lancer start-up price of E18,650, ex works, is viewed as extraordinarily keen for an excellent package - from a company eager to be seen as a premium brand player.
 
Two body styles and two engines are offered initially in a fairly modest three model line-up of two saloons and a station wagon. However, entry level equipment listings are sufficiently generous to make lots and lots of gradations redundant.
   
The saloon design, more functional and retro than we've come to expect from Mitsubishi stylist, is nevertheless well-honed and manages to look distinctive and fetching in a refined sort of way. Designers working on the station wagon brief have been more adventurous. For a load-lugger, it's quite graceful and sporty to look at. Altogether more handsome and assured.
 
As noted, two petrol engines are offered initially, the entry-level 1.3 litre motor and a sportier 1.6 litre plant. A third, a 2.0-litre mill for top-of-the-range station wagon models, is in the pipeline.
 
Reports from the Lancer's European launch in Finland were generally favourable but one really has to experience a car on home soil to fully appreciate its finer nuances. So when my local dealer offered a day's test drive in a 1.3 litre Lancer saloon down in Yeat's County - before the Irish press launch - he found a ready and willing partaker.
 
Taller and with al longer wheelbase than before, the new Lancer's cabin feels airy and spacious. Controls are well positioned; the instrument panel clear concise and easy to read. Everything seems to fall easily to hand and the range of adjustments between steering wheel and driver's seat is so varied, it's easy to find a comfortable and commanding driving position. Negatively, the radio / CD controls are a bit on the fiddly side - but the reception and sound quality are truly remarkable - as good as it gets.
 
Underneath, the suspension settings are slanted towards the softer side of firm. This produces a ride that's refined, comfortable and adhesive whether one's driving around town or out and about on the open road. Handling, too, is assured and confident. Front and rear stabiliser bars provide a taut, stable feel; the neat, power-assisted, steering set-up delivering a positive response and accurate placement straight on or through acute and sweeping corners.
 
My test vehicle came with the entry level 1299 cc engine. A gutsy little puller, it produces 82 PS at 5,000 rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Performance figures are around the class average with a top speed of 107 mph and a sprint time from standing to 100 km/h of 13.7 seconds. Average fuel consumed works out at 43.4 mpg for the combined cycle, 33.2 mpg for the urban run. With more pull, the 1584 cc kicks out 98 PS and 150 Nm of torque hits a top speed of 110 mph and runs the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 11.8 seconds.
 

Standard equipment includes tilt steering column, ABS with EBD, electronic immobiliser, colour-keyed bumper, electronically controlled side mirrors, driver and passenger airbags, black  wood-print instrument panel, headlamp leveller, 15-inch alloy wheels, rear fog lamp, driver's footrest, keyless entry, glove box, coin holder, pollen filter, radio and CD player  with 4 speakers, height adjustable driver's seat, height adjustable front seatbelt anchors, five height adjustable headrests and two rear seat ISO-FIX child seat anchors.  More potent 1.6-litre Lancers add on air conditioning, leather wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and parking brake.
 
Mitsubishi expect to sell 1,000 Lancers in a full year. Given Mitsubishi's reputation for reliability, build quality, durability and residual value, I'll eat my hat if they don't double that target in 2004 - supplies permitting.
 
It's that damn good!

Prices E18,650-E21,990