Through Ian's Lens: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer is a rare bird in the automotive world because it is an exception to the rule that reasonably priced cars have to look, well, reasonable. The exterior of the new Lancer blurs the lines between high-performance pedigree and under-$20K price tag. Between the headlights, the pinched nose and grille feel like an homage to an older generation of Italian racecars, while the rear end is ultimately urban street racer. Image aside, this car feels like it was designed for a video game, with every angle and line produced to create the feeling of forward motion. Even if you don’t run in the street-racing crowd, you have to credit Mitsubishi for sticking its neck out there and designing a car that attempts to break away from boring, mundane sedan design. At the very least, the Lancer is unique. Let me know what you think in the comments section. A full set of photos is below.