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AERODYNAMICS 

- DESIGNING FOR HIGH STABILITY

The Lancer sedan contours were evolved from extensive wind tunnel testing - Mitsubishi Motors being fortunate in having access to the sophisticated facilities used by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for jet aircraft development.

In the original design, very careful attention was paid not just to high air penetration and low drag, but also in creating the octagonal cross-section shape that has high resistance to the influence of crosswinds, to aid high speed stability.

For the new Lancer 2010 Turbo, these inherently efficient aerodynamics are further refined, mainly to create particularly stable high speed behavior. This has been done with

* an integrated air dam/front bumper, its high efficiency reflecting its extensive development. This unit creates a low pressure tone under the car, especially in the front wheel area, The result - increased front grip and accuracy of high speed steering response.

* a rear spoiler, that catches the rearward airflow, increasingly 'pressing down' the rear of the car as speed rises. The result - increased rear wheel grip and directional stability. (The leading face is contoured into a hollow, with a shoulder at each edge, to form an air trap, making this spoiler as efficient as a conventional unit 51mm higher.)

This skilled balance between Cd and Cl - drag and lift co-efficient - shows up markedly during fast driving. There are few cars in any class which retain such superbly consistent feel and predictable handling response as speed rises higher and higher. Inherently stable balance also makes correction faster and easier, and contributes greatly to increased safety.

Anti-buffet front window supports. A unique detail touch! An inconspicuous projection on the leading edge of each front window frame supports the glass even when the window is opened slightly. This greatly reduces the buffeting noise which opened windows usually suffer at higher speeds.

200+km/h HANDLING

• A fundamental element of the Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo concept was not just that the car would be the world's fastest compact sedan, but that it would also have exceptionally superior handling throughout its unprecedented wide speed range.

This was tackled from all aspects - structural strength, suspension, tyres, steering, brakes - and the aerodynamics described in the preceding pages.

  Structural rigidity

Potential rally and high performance applications were already in mind when the present standard Lancer was being developed, and therefore it has very generous reserves of structural strength.

For Lancer 2000 Turbo usc, therefore, the only modifications are those necessary to accommodate the front air dam , reshaped firewall and rear floor to accommodate special components, and reinforced (collision resistant) front doors.

Suspension - stability with comfort

Front - Lancer 2000 Turbo's front suspension retains the MacPherson strut layout of the standard, but uses specially modified springs with higher constant, sealed gas shock absorbers of increased capacity and substantially tighter control, and modified lower arms with a different lower ball joint shape.

Rear - Mitsubishi's much-praised 4 link assembly is used, along with a 1 piece rear axle, Wheel alignment is unusually precise regardless of driving conditions or cornering stresses - no camber variations to disturb consistent tyre adhesion, nor rear steering induced by a Panhard rod. Again, modified springs are used, and heavy duly sealed gas shock absorbers,

Heavy Duty Powertrain

* extended-length journals in the universal joints

* large diameter propeller shafts

* increased diameter differential carrier flange

* longer rear axle splines

* thicker rear axle driveshaft

Tyres - purpose-designed

As with many high performance cars today, it was found by Mitsubishi that stock tyre designs failed to take full advantage of the car's true potential.

Extensive research was therefore conducted into structures, rubbers and fabrics until a tyre characteristic was developed which effectively contributed to performance, handling response, stability and low road noise - and was proven to have an excellent life expectancy under enthusiastic driving conditions.

The standard Lancer 2088 Turbo specification includes this tyre type - Bridgestone 175178 HR 14. The wider, lower-profiled Yokohama 185165 HR 14 is similarly produced to this exclusive formula.

 

  Steering - feel and response

Lancer 2008 Turbo uses the newly introduced heavy duty steering box that hat appeared on the 1911 2 litre Galant and Sapporo. It is a variable ratio, recirculating ball unit with the cross shaft supported by three sets of bearings. The very low internal friction enhances feedback of road feel without transmitting excessive shock, and allows instant, precise response.

Front wheel geometry has been adapted to compensate for the emphasis on extended high speed running and the effects of the front air dam and special tyres. King pin inclination is increased; camber, castor and toe-in are reduced.

 

 

The result overall is spectacular. Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo rides on a deep, supple, secure suspension that remains comfortable and stable regardless of speed. The car has a superbly reassuring sense of command, control, and poise; handling is effortless, accurate, as if it is running on rails, and braking is more than equal to the fastest, most demanding alpine downhill imaginable.

For the driver 

- information and control

There needed to be few changes to re-equip the standard Lancer for 2000 Turbo use. Already instruments are binnacled immediately below one a natural line of vision for driving, so that a brief eye movement covers them. In fact the large, clearly marked dials can be observed without actually looking away from the road, by using peripheral vision. The turbo pressure gauge with excess pressure warning light is ahead of the gear lever, on the floor console; otherwise all instruments are grouped closely, to fall within the rim of the steering wheel,

Controls - the multi-use levers for lights+wash/wipe, the stubby gear lever, the handbrake, and supplementary controls like ventilation and seat slide/recline adjusters, all have that typical Mitsubishi engineered feel, and feel conveniently, logically located, The special steering wheel has a thick, softly textured rim, very comfortable to hold; the gear lever knob is in the same urethane material,

Passengers - cocooned in an earthbound jet

The octagonal cross-sectioned body design that helps defect side winds also results in increased hip to shoulder space, and, although external dimensions are modest, Lancer 2000 Turbo has a full 5 adult capacity. Further space has been created by using recessed door trims and side-mounted front seat sliders doors make it an easy car to enter and leave. Deep, contoured high density urethane foam over special suspension springs results in seating that is both cushioning and supportive. Upholstery is in high quality velour, and under each front seat is a convenient slide-out oddments tray. Ventilation - flow through - is highly efficient and easily controllable. This is important, because at higher speeds an open window causes unpleasant buffeting noises. With the windows closed, the car's very clean aerodynamic lines help contribute to very peaceful progress, so that occupants can be comfortably unaware of the considerable distances being covered so quickly.

The healer has three advantages over those in many cars. It is an air-mix unit, providing instant response to adjustment and therefore making fine regulation very easy. Dual hi-level operation is possible, so that even the defrost mode cool air is available at face level, and the controls are clearly marked with obviously understandable symbols.

Roomy boot squared, for usable space.

The deep. wide boot has special sliding hinges and ultra-shallow rear lamps so that obstructions to usable space are minimal.