• When introduced in 1973, the Mitsubishi Lancer was a rally-race-inspired compact sedan with both power and affordability, according to MSN Autos. The 2006 Lancer continued that tradition, and received some significant upgrades from the previous year's model. The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer came with improvements such as a newly styled bumper and new grilles for the ES and OZ trim versions. The car came in one of eight trim packages and had an original retail price of $14,599 to $35,189.
  
  

Engine

• All versions of the 2006 Lancer came with one of two engines, a 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder, or I4, and a 2.4-liter I4, though the power output of some of the 2.0-liter versions in considerable higher. The ES, SE and OZ-Rally trim versions have the 2.0-liter engine rated at 120 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 130 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm, according to MSN Autos. The Ralliart version had the 2.4-liter engine capable of 162 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 162 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Evolution RS, Evolution IX, Evolution SE and Evolution MR versions had a 2.0-liter producing 286 horsepower at 6,5000 rpm and 289 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm.
  
  

Performance

• The 2006 Lancer came with a four-speed automatic overdrive, five-speed manual overdrive or six-speed manual overdrive transmission, according to MSN Autos. The car received an estimated EPA fuel economy of 18 to 27 mpg city and 24 to 34 mpg highway, depending on trim.
  
  

Size

• The 2006 Lancer was 180.5 inches long, 66.8 inches wide, 54.9 inches, had a wheelbase of 102.4 inches, a ground clearance of 5.5 inches, a curb weight of 2,745 pounds and a gross weight of 3,726 pounds, according to Edmunds. The Lancer had a luggage capacity of 11.3 cubic feet and could seat up to five people. The car had front independent strut suspension, stabilizer bar and coil springs, as well as independent rear multi-link suspension, stabilizer bar and coil springs, according to Moto Trend.
  
  

Safety

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2006 Lancer a five out of five-star safety rating for both front driver and passenger crash tests. The car also received a four-star rating for rear-side side impact and rollover testing and a two-star rating for front-side side-impact testing. The car also received the highest possible rating of "Good" from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety in all categories except restraints, in which it received an "Acceptable" rating.