The 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer will replace the Mirage - in name, and in many other more important ways. First, size. A 102.4-inch wheelbase make it one of the largest in its class. It has also been made more solid and rigid for improved handling - and better crash test results. We tested the O-Z Rally edition with its 15-inch wheels, ground effects, white-faced gauges, embroidered floor mats, and rear spoiler.

The most excited responses we got as we drove around Northern California came from young males - they liked the look - a good sign for any company trying to compete with Toyota and Honda. The automatic provides driver-adaptive technology - tailoring shift points according to the driver. The manual got 29/41 mpg city/highway and is a ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) to boot. In the market for a small sedan? Check out the new Lancer.

- Editor

• Review by Carey Russ
• The 2001 Swedish Rally
• Geneva Auto Show 2001
• Compar-a-graph--See how it stacks up

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