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The spirit of the famous Mitsubishi Lancer Evo models is now heading for the company car park, but without the wallet-shearing tax and fuel bills.
The new Lancer, launched in the UK last week, is now a broader range of three more sober, regular models as well as the banzai 300PS saloon that wears the Evo X badge.
There are 1.5 or 1.8 petrol engines, but the 140PS 2.0-litre diesel will hold strongest appeal to the business sector.
The VW-sourced unit is already used by Mitsubishi in the Outlander 4x4 and Grandis MPV, though this is an uprated version offering slightly increased power. As has been criticised in previous models, the diesel's not hot on refinement, but performance is more than adequate for an engine of this size.
Initially, at least, Mitsubishi is limiting its corporate ambitions because it thinks business drivers will prefer to wait for the five-door hatchback version arriving in September. Even then, because the Japanese firm won't be chasing big fleet deals, it reckons only around 20% of the 5000-10,000 sales per year will be to business drivers.
Despite being more sober, the standard Lancers do take on much of the sporty styling cues of big brother Evo, like the aggressive front end and huge surfboard rear wing. And the car is huge for one in the lower medium segment - four adults easily slot into the saloon (though the boot isn't shaped well for large, boxy loads, and there's no release button on the bootlid, requiring drivers to use the dash-mounted switch or the keyfob). It also has a generous specification, but the bits of nasty hard plastics around the doors are disappointing.
It predictably handles well, and has a great gearchange that feels lifted from its £30,000+ Evo sibling. Mitsubishi also claims RVs are ahead of the likes of Mazda's 3 and the Ford Focus, the more established mainstream brands the Lancer is providing an alternative to.
The car is undoubtedly going to sell off the back of its Evo rally-bred heritage and looks, but once the early intrigue has faded it may come up a little short against its highly polished and competent lower medium sector rivals. That's not to say it won't find a successful niche among drivers wanting a little of the Mitsubishi performance, or even those just looking for a well-specced, reasonably priced, spacious and reliable new car.
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