2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution offers more safety
The new Mitsubishi Lancer is designed with one of the most extensive occupant protection packages in the segment, and the 2010 Lancer Evolution shares that model's safety advances, including the Mitsubishi RISE safety structure design and seven airbags.
The anti-lock braking system (Sports ABS) incorporates Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). All Lancer models are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system.
The Lancer Evolution's solid, confident driving feel is rooted in a body structure engineered with greater inherent strength than its predecessor's. The higher strength benefits driving dynamics and ride quality and enhances occupant protection.
In the Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the standard Lancer model achieved 5-star ratings for the driver in the frontal crash test and four stars for the passenger; it achieved 5-stars for the front seat and 4-stars for the rear seat in the side impact test.
RISE Body Structure
The 2010 Lancer is built around Mitsubishi's next-generation Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) unibody design. The RISE body structure disperses energy loads during side and rear crashes and controls distortion, enhancing occupant protection and also protecting the fuel system during a rear impact. The highly rigid structure makes extensive use of high-tensile steel, a material that was not used in the previous-generation Lancer.
Straight front side members with an octagonal cross-section and a three-leg support structure, as well as increased application both high-strength (590Mpa) and ultra-high strength (980Mpa) steel, are designed to help Lancer meet the highest crash test standards.
The side pillars, roof joints and cross-car structure – combined with the standard front seat-mounted side air bags, driver's knee air bag and standard front and rear curtain side air bags – give the Lancer Evolution a higher degree of collision protection.
In addition to the RISE body structure, other new measures contribute to better impact energy management, including a collapsible front chassis crossmember and a device to help prevent brake-pedal retraction during a collision. The Lancer Evolution is also optimized for pedestrian impact protection, with shock-absorbing hood, cowl and fender structures and shock-absorbing hood hinges.
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) with Seven Air Bags
All Lancer models for 2010 come equipped with an advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) that includes front seat belts are equipped with pretensioners and force limiters to help control occupant motion during a collision. The standard seven air bags include dual-stage front air bags (FMVSS208 Advanced Air Bag) with front passenger occupant sensors; front seat-mounted, side-impact air bags; curtain side air bags, and a driver's knee air bag.
To control the dual-stage front air bags, the driver's seat uses a sensor on the seat track to determine the driver's distance from the steering wheel, and thus the appropriate air bag inflation power. If less than approximately 66 lbs. is detected in the front passenger seat, the passenger-side front air bag is turned “off” and will not deploy.
The front seat-mounted side air bags provide lower back and chest protection, taking into consideration impacts by passenger cars and SUVs. Side-impact curtain air bags offer head protection during side impacts. The knee airbag is designed to help control and stabilize the driver's lower body motion, thereby helping to stabilize upper body motion and potentially making the seat belt and driver's front air bag more effective.
Technical data, features, options and other equipment listed in this release are based on the latest information available at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice.
