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Romancing the hatch – Metro US

Romancing the hatch

You can’t accuse Mitsubishi of bad timing. With auto buyers reportedly seeking smaller and more efficiently packaged vehicles to perform the daily chores, this seems a good time as any to introduce a hatchback … er, sportback version of the compact Lancer sedan.

The numbers certainly support this. While Canadian compact four-door sales were up 7.6 per cent in 2008 over the previous year, compact five-door sales increased 14.4 per cent. Think Subaru Impreza hatchback, Toyota Matrix, VW Rabbit, Mazda3 Sport, Honda Fit, Dodge Caliber and Pontiac Vibe.

Joining this party is the 2009 Lancer Sportback, currently arriving in Mitsubishi showrooms. It comes in two trim levels: The front-wheel-drive GTS starting at $23,498 and the all-wheel-drive Ralliart that bows at $33,498. Both cars roll on 18-inch wheels, are mechanically identical to their four-door counterparts, and carry a price premium of $500.

The Lancer sedan is a handsomely chiseled piece, and this hatch version expands on those good looks.

The Lancers’ hatch takes up a large swath of real estate, stretching from the top of the back bumper to just beyond the heads of the rear seat passengers. Lift over height is low, and with the 60/40 rear seats folded, the nearly flat load space expands cargo volume from 390 to 1320 litres in the Ralliart, and up to 435 to 1492 litres in the GTS, thanks to a clever dual height adjustable cargo floor that drops 90 mm. The Ralliart doesn’t get this because of the all-wheel drive mechanicals.

The GTS is powered by an all-aluminum 2.4L four that generates 168 hp and 167 lb.-ft. of torque at 4100 r.p.m. Standard is a fine shifting five-speed manual transmission paired with a progressive clutch. A six-speed would have been nice, but regardless, the GTS feels quick and highway cruising is relaxed, showing 2500 r.p.m. at 100 km/h.

Standard GTS features include Bluetooth connectivity, air con, seven airbags (front, side, curtain and knee), heated seats and mirrors, and six-months of Sirius satellite radio.

In all other aspects, the GTS Sportback drives like the GTS sedan, offering feelsome steering, a solid structure, good ride and nicely balanced handling.

The Ralliart Sportback ramps up the performance (and price) considerably, not at all shy about its junior-Evo status.

The ride is stiff-legged, the standard fabric Recaro seats grip like a mother-in-law’s embrace, and the Evo’s 4B11 2.0L turbo (detuned from 291 hp to 237 hp via a smaller single-scroll turbo and intercooler) feels plenty strong.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS?Sportback/Ralliart Sportback
Type: Compact hatchback
Price: $23,498/$33,498
Engine: 2.4L four/2.0L turbocharged four
HP/Torque: 168 hp; 167 lb.-ft./237 hp, 253 lb.-ft.

Highlights
• Expands on the sedan’s good looks
• Fun to drive