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Sayonara: Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo

The Predecessor

In 1979, Mitsubishi unveiled the second generation of the Lancer, internally designated as A170 and known as the EX. It was a quintessential compact sedan, measuring 4.23 meters in length, equipped initially with a basic 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine producing 54 hp, which was hardly overpowering. By 1980, Mitsubishi had bolstered its lineup with a 1.8-liter turbo engine boasting 135 hp. For the European market, the Japanese automaker took it a step further by introducing a 2-liter turbo (4G63) engine with 170 hp and 245 Nm of torque. At the onset of the 1980s, these figures were quite impressive for a Japanese car, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in under 8 seconds. The vehicle’s light unladen weight of 1075 kilos also contributed to its nimble performance.

However, Mitsubishi had an ulterior motive with the 2-liter turbo: rallying. The engine was tuned up to 280 hp in accordance with fairly standard modifications, and the car was outfitted to meet Group 4 rally specifications. In 1981/82, it competed in various world championship rounds under Mitsubishi’s European sports division, RalliArt. Among the three examples built, one achieved third place at the 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland in 1982, driven by Airikkala/Piironen, who clocked eleven fastest stage times. Notably, this rear-wheel-drive Group 4 Lancer managed to hold its own against the more powerful Group B competitors. The Lancer’s major rally successes would only begin in the mid-90s with the introduction of the Evo series. (Learn more about it here).

The Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo was also marketed in Switzerland, although it wasn’t officially included in the sales program. In some markets, it featured mirror-inverted lettering on the front spoiler, reminiscent of the BMW 2002 Turbo; however, this was reportedly banned in Switzerland. This form of “optical tuning” was permitted in Germany, where it sold for 21,990 marks—a bargain for the amount of car offered. Today, these early Lancer Turbos are seldom seen, and when they are, they’re typically in racing or near-racing condition. We recently spotted a well-preserved example (below) at a Japanese car meet at Meilenstein in Langenthal.

We have more iconic Japanese cars at: Sayonara. And much more in the archive.

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