The Mitsubishi Lancer features crisp styling that sets it apart from the ho-hum sameness of most compact sedans. It looks more aggressive, with wheels pushed to edges of the boxed body to stabilize the stance. Short front and rear overhangs improve weight distribution, and the windshield is steeply raked rearward to cheat the wind.Lancer presents a strong face with a bold horizontal grille ringed in chrome. Oversized multi-lens headlamps cluster at the corners, while a thick front bumper and air dam thrust forward like a boxer's chin. The hood has stepped cut-lines that add shape and depth to the prow. The flanks look sleek and flat with slight fender flares around the wheels. At the squared-off trunk, the Lancer borrows lines from European touring sedans with a blunt tail highlighted with bold, triangular taillamps.
The LS model looks tame and respectable and is often presented in understated tones. The OZ Rally edition looks anything but tame and respectable with its bumper extensions, shapely side skirts, and loud colors.
The Evolution looks like a race car. First, there's a big rear wing. Then there's the aggressive front end. The hood has a functional and screened air vent. A big front airdam is filled with a very serious-looking intercooler for the turbo. Blistered, squarish fenders made of lightweight aluminum look ready for competition. Add a roll cage, a big light pod, mambo mud flaps and a bunch of decals, and your Lancer Evolution would look ready to tackle the Rim of the World.