Mitsubishi Lancer Named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Top Safety Pick"

CYPRESS, Calif., July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) announces its affordably-priced and fun-to-drive 2014 Lancer compact sports sedan (excludes Ralliart and Evolution models) has been named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

In its latest evaluation, the IIHS subjected a total of twelve "small cars" to their small overlap front crash test that has 25 percent of the vehicle's frontal area on the driver's side impact a barrier at 40 mph. Introduced in 2012, the small overlap front crash test "replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole," according to the IIHS. Half of the vehicles evaluated achieved non-passing grades of "marginal" or "poor"; the IIHS requires that a vehicle earn a grade of "good" or "acceptable" to pass the test.

According to the IIHS, their small overlap front crash test is "more difficult than either the head-on crashes conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the longstanding IIHS moderate overlap test."

"It is great to see our very popular Mitsubishi Lancer once again named as a 'Top Safety Pick' by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety," said Don Swearingen, Executive Vice President of MMNA. "Lancer is a versatile compact sports sedan that has an exceptional degree of safety, excellent fuel economy, sporty performance and plentiful standard features all at price to fit almost any budget."

The "Top Safety Pick" designation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) – a U.S.-based non-profit agency that performs research and crash test evaluations of production vehicle models marketed in America – is also applicable to the new 2015 model year Mitsubishi Lancer making its way to Mitsubishi Motors dealerships across the country this summer.

The new 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer includes a host of welcome new standard and available features and technologies for the new model year including heated side view mirrors with turn indicators (standard on all models); an advanced next-generation continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that mimics the operation of a precision 7-speed transmission (standard on SE AWC model and available on other versions); and expanded new standard features including redesigned 16-in. two-tone alloy wheels, FUSE Hands-Free Link System® with USB port, high contrast meters with color multi-information display, chrome interior door handles, soft-touch upper door trim, 6 speaker audio system, fog lights, and Sport front fascia with color-keyed center bumper (SE AWC model). New available content packages for the 2015 Lancer include a feature-rich Value Package (ES model) and Sun and Sound Package (GT model).

The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer is available in four distinct versions for the 2015 model year: the low price/content-rich Lancer ES (starting MSRP of only $17,195 and fuel economy of up to 34 mpg); the more powerful Lancer SE AWC with standard All-Wheel Control (AWC) all-wheel drive ($20,995); the luxury/performance-oriented Lancer GT ($20,595) and the exhilarating turbocharged Lancer Ralliart with sure-footed Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) and an available rapid-fire 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic® Shift Transmission ($29,495).

For more information on the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer visit http://www.mitsubishicars.com/lancer.

About Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.        

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all research & development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and financial services for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells sedans and crossovers/SUVs through a network of approximately 400 dealers. MMNA is leading the way in the development of highly-efficient, affordably-priced new gasoline-powered automobiles while using its industry-leading knowledge in battery electric vehicles to develop future EV and PHEV models. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

SOURCE Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.