2009 MITSUBISHI NEW CAR MODEL GUIDE

Mitsubishi, headquartered in Japan but with an American production plant in Illinois, and design studios and a technical center in California, offers five different car lines in 2009 for the North American market, plus two crossover utility vehicles (CUV) and a mid-size pickup truck. Fresh treatments apply to the mid-size Galant sedan and a two-door hatchback coupe and convertible under the Eclipse label. Also, look for new models, like Lancer GTS 2.4 and two turbo-charged Lancer Evolution issues — GS-R and MR.

Lancer
Mitsubishi's compact sedan scored a new front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform in 2009 and returns in 2009 with more variations. Lancer DE and ES models draw from a twin-cam 2.0-liter four-in-line engine with MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic Control) equipment for 152 hp with a manual five-speed or CVT (continuously variable transmission). New Lancer GTS 2.4 carries a dual-cam 2.4-liter MIVEC four making 168 hp. With the CVT, GTS adds a six-step Sportronic manual mode with magnesium paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Lancer GTS 2.4 rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels and has a sport-tuned suspension.

Lancer Evolution
Nicknamed 'Evo, the Lancer Evolution is a high-performance version of the Lancer sedan but motivated by a souped-up turbo engine and rigged with AWD (all-wheel-drive) traction. Evolution X, with 'X' as the Roman number 10 denoting a tenth generation — arrived late for the 2009 class with Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) advanced traction and handling system which regulates drive torque at each wheel. Two new super-powered issues — Evolution GS-R and Evolution MR — land in the Class of 2009 to provide even more thrills on pavement.

Galant
Mitsubishi's mid-size sedan for 2009 presents a stylish new package with three engine options and four different trims. Galant's base four-in-line plant displaces 2.4 liters and nets 160 hp for Galant ES and the new Sport edition. Galant V6 Sport receives a 3.8-liter V6 which develops 230 hp, but top-model Gallant Ralliart gets a 3.8-liter MIVEC V6 worth 258 hp. The four-cylinder Galant models provide a four-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic manual mode. Galant Ralliart features a sport-tuned suspension with all-season tires mounted on 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

Eclipse
Aggressive new front and rear fascias mark Mitsubishi's sleek and expressive two-door hatchback coupe for 2009. Eclipse GS is the bottom-price model with a four-cylinder engine tied to a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic with Sportronic sequential shift control. The 2.4-liter in-line-four makes 162 hp. Eclipse GT brings a 3.8-liter MIVEC V6 worth 265 hp through a six-speed manual or five-speed Sportronic automatic. A new Premium Sport Package for the GT applies fancy equipment like automatic climate controls, leather upholstery, power for the driver's bucket with heat elements in both front seats and external mirrors.

Eclipse Spyder
The 2+2 sports convertible by Mitsubishi runs with the label of Eclipse Spyder. It uses styling, structure and mechanical content of the Eclipse sporty coupe. Eclipse Spyder GS is the entry edition with a 2.4-liter in-line-four rated at 162 hp with a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic linked to Sportronic shift control. Eclipse GT has a 3.8-liter V6 with 265 hp and either a six-speed manual or five-speed electronic automatic with Sportronic shifting. The GT gains HID (high intensity discharge) headlamps for 2009, along with ASC (active stability control) as standard equipment.

Outlander
Mitsubishi's five-door CUV for the compact class offers the option of a four-cylinder or V6 powertrain. Outlander ES edition stocks a 168-hp 2.4-liter four-pack with a CVT shifter. Outlander LS and XLS grades contain a 3.0-liter MIVEC V6 with 220 hp through a six-speed automatic Sportronic shifter. Outlander ES operates with FWD traction, but Outlander LS and XLS show either standard FWD or optional electronically controlled AWD coupled with integrated stability control, which Mitsubishi labels as AWC (all-wheel control).

Endeavor
The mid-size CUV from Mitsubishi blends manners of a luxury sedan with the elevated stance and cargo capacity of a SUV plus cabin flexibility like a minivan. It's easy to drive because the unibody structure and handling hardware match mechanical equipment on a FWD car. Yet Endeavor resembles a sizeable SUV in format and can carry a wagon's load of cargo, while the spacious cabin has comfortable seats arranged in two rows for up to five riders and there are fancy amenities aboard. Powertrain is a 3.8-liter V6 which achieves 230 hp through a four-speed automatic Sportronic.

Raider
Mitsubishi's truck shows two-wheel-drive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction choices and trims of LS and DuroCross. Raider also forges two cab formats. The Extended Cab contains two rows of seats for four and two rear-hinged doors, but Double Cab has four full-size doors and seats for five. The truck box also varies, as Extended Cab uses a long-bed design and Double Cab totes an abbreviated bed.

Detailed Mitisubishi pricing and ownership information.

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