The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer lineup spans five models of Lancer, spread over four levels of performance, and if you count the two models of the Evo for each transmission, it becomes six.
Lancer DE and ES use a 2.0-liter engine making 152 horsepower, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Standard equipment on the DE ($14,190) is slim, including a 140-watt, four-speaker MP3 sound system and steel wheels with wheel covers; air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, power locks, and remote entry are optional.
Lancer ES ($16,390) comes standard with air conditioning, cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls, power door locks with keyless remote, six-way adjustable driver seat, 60/40-split folding rear seatback with folding center armrest, front map lights, floor mats, the auto-up driver-side window, premium fabric upholstery, silver interior accents, body-color outside mirror housings and door handles, second power point, anti-theft security alarm and steering wheel-mounted redundant audio controls and pre-wired Bluetooth switch. Aluminum alloy wheels come standard, and the rear suspension gets a stabilizer bar. The Sun & Sound package includes a 650-watt, nine-speaker, Rockford-Fosgate premium audio system; a six-month, pre-paid Sirius satellite radio subscription; a six-disc in-dash CD/MP3 changer; an auxiliary audio input jack; and a power, tilt-and-slide, glass sunroof. Fog lights are sold by dealers. A Sport package is optional ($800).
Lancer GTS ($18,440) features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder making 168 horsepower. It's mated to either the 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional new CVT automatic (Continuously Variable Transmission) using Sportronic manual shifting with steering-wheel paddles. The six-speaker sound system is standard, along with sport bucket seats. The sport-tuned suspension is tied to pretty 18-inch alloy wheels.
Lancer Ralliart ($26,490) makes 237 horsepower from a 2.0-liter intercooled turbocharged engine, while its suspension and brakes are upgraded from the GTS. It uses just one transmission, a new six-speed twin-clutch automated manual called the TC-SST, with Normal and Sport modes. Automatic climate control is standard, along with sport bucket seats with unique fabric surfaces, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Also standard: six-speaker audio, aero package with front air dam, lower side air dams and rear spoiler, factory-installed fog lights, P215/45R18 tires on alloy wheels. Options include the Sun & Sound package. The Navigation & Technology package includes a GPS-based navigation system storing mapping data on a 30GB hard disk drive (with 6GB set aside for personally recorded audio files). Integrated into the navigation system is the driver information center plus screens displaying, among other things, ambient temperature, barometric pressure and altimeter; vehicle maintenance reminder and calendar; controls for the underlying Rockford-Fosgate audio system and Sirius satellite radio; and customization settings for the Lancer's various interior electronics. Also in this package is Fast-Key, a keyless, proximity-activated, auto-unlock system.
Lancer Evolution comes in two versions, the GSR ($32,990) and the MR. The GSR comes with a five-speed manual transmission. The MR features a computer-shifted, six-speed manual, BBS forged alloy wheels, Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, two-piece brake rotors (steel disc on aluminum hub for weight savings).
The GSR comes with automatic climate control, 140-watt, six-speaker, multi-media stereo, Recaro bucket seats with manual fore-aft and back angle adjustments, power windows, power door locks, keyless remote entry, floor mats and front map lights, Yokohama ASVAN asymmetrical-tread performance tires with 18-inch, cast alloy wheels. Options include the Sight, Sound and Spoiler Package ($2000) that adds HID headlights with manual leveling; a 65-watt, Rockford-Fosgate premium sound system with eight, strategically positioned regular speakers plus one subwoofer; Sirius satellite radio with six months pre-paid subscription; six CD/MP3 in-dash changer; oversize rear spoiler; and FAST Key entry system, which allows keyless door unlocking and push-button start/stop for the engine. Phantom Black paint ($250) is optional.
The MR adds hands-free Bluetooth cell phone functionality with voice recognition, HID headlamps, the oversized rear spoiler and steering wheel-mounted audio controls (the toggle for the three all-wheel drive modes moves to the center console). The MR Technology Package adds Rockford-Fosgate, Sirius satellite radio, the 30GB HDD navigation system with 7.5-inch touch screen (that also displays video with the transmission in Park), the Mitsubishi Multi-Communication system (on-board computer and information system), and FAST Key.
Safety features for all Lancer models include front air bags, side airbags in front, side curtain air bags, a driver's knee air bag, and tire pressure monitor. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution is also standard for all models but the DE, where it's optional. Active Stability Control is not available with the DE and ES, is optional with the GTS, and standard on the Ralliart and Evo. Front seatbelts have pretensionsers and force limiters to help position users for maximum protection from airbags in crashes. Rear seats incorporate child safety seat anchors and tethers (LATCH).