This compact car manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors way back in 1973, has found more than six-million dedicated takers all over the world till date. Sold under various names in different countries, it spanned about eight generations and saw a great deal of success especially with models like the Lancer GSR, Lancer Evolution, and the Lancer Ralliart.
The first-generation Lancers belonged to the sub compact class of cars with models lasted till 1979, and came out with a coupe (double door), sedan (4-door) and station wagon (5 doors). Style was the by-word of the 1980’s which witnessed the influx of the second generation Lancers, particularly the EX series with its 1.8 litre turbo powered engines. With a strategic management technique that allowed it to market the same model in two different names in two different parts of the world, the Lancer was able to capture the attention of auto buffs all over the world.
Another significant aspect of 1983, which led to the further development of the Lancer, was the merger of the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Mitsubishi Mirage, resulting in a four-wheel drive version with a turbo charged engine with fuel injection system. While the three-door hatchback model carried the name tag of Mitsubishi Colt or Mirage, the Lancer name stuck to the others like the 4-door sedan, the 5-door station wagon and the 5-door hatchback. This particular third-generation phase lasted till 1987, after which it saw another spate of alteration.
