There were four body styles, two- and four-door sedans, a two-door hardtop coupe and a long-running five-door station wagon (built until replaced by the front-wheel drive Lancer/Mirage Van in March 1984).

Four-door Lancer assembly began in New Zealand in 1975, supplementing the larger English Hillman Avengers also built locally by importer Todd Motors.

The Celeste was imported built-up from Japan initially and assembly of a single 1.6- liter, manual transmission model began in 1978 followed by a minor facelift about a year later.

New Zealand importer Todd Motors assembled the new Lancer EX from 1980 with 1.6-liter carburetor gasoline engine and a choice of manual or automatic transmission.

Claimed outputs in Europe were lower than in the domestic market because of the net rating, with the 1200, 1400, and 1600 being good for 40, 50, and 60 kW (54, 68, and 82 PS; 54, 67, and 80 hp) respectively.

While exports were generally halted in 1983, this generation continued to be available alongside the Mirage-based, front-wheel drive Lancer Fiore until 1987 in Japan.

Mitsubishi had originally launched the Mirage in 1978 as a front-wheel drive hatchback, with a sedan variant later released in 1982—and a version of which sold in Japan as Lancer Fiore.

Between 1982 and 1987, the aforementioned Mirage sedan with minor styling modifications sold as the Lancer Fiore through Japanese retail channels.

Although naming conventions varied, for all generations, sedan versions of the Mirage were typically badged as Lancer in export markets such as the Philippines, although notably not in the United States.

By 2003, the Mirage had been completely phased out of mainstream Japanese production and Lancer became the primary title for Mitsubishi's compact offerings.

In Japan, the Lancer Cedia was offered with many different trim levels and engines, including some options never exported, such as a cargo variant of the station wagon, which was replaced by a rebranded Nissan AD.

An additional facelift was added again in 2005 with white marker lights in the front replacing the amber ones and restyled tail lamps.

The Cedia, a rather expensive car for Indian conditions, was discontinued without a direct successor in June 2013 as Mitsubishi India chose to focus on SUVs.

The 2003 facelift, designated the CH series,[20] introduced a heavily updated VR-X, which included new 16" alloys, stiffer suspension, body styling kit, and gear shifter borrowed from the Lancer Evolution.

The equipment levels of all models were also upgraded, with the LS and VR-X gaining climate control, and a premium audio system sourced from the luxury Mitsubishi Verada.

This package included VR-X grille, rear spoiler, leather/Alcantara bolstered seats, sports pedals, 15-inch alloy wheels and chrome exhaust tip—all for the same price as the previous standard ES.

Consequently, after Mitsubishi discontinued the 1995 series Mirage for North America in 2001, the replacement model adopted the Lancer name for the first time.

For the 2005 model year, the grille was changed to include more fins to reflect a closer similarity to the North American Galant.

For model year 2009, the design was refreshed all around with an updated front grille, darkened clear tail lamps, and chrome lining with an additional floor console internally.

[37][38] The Lancer was released in Australia in October 2007, designated the CJ series, and was initially available in ES, VR and VRX trim.

[41] It featured a single turbocharged version of the 4B11 engine, all-wheel drive (AWD) and a twin-clutch six-speed (TC-SST) gearbox.

Various special models have also been introduced, such as the Platinum Edition, which is based on the VR but added a chrome grille, window surrounds (sedan only), MMCS satellite navigation, and Bluetooth.

Based on the all-wheel-drive SE trim level, excluding the all-wheel control system, the GT features sportier suspension, upmarket options, and an available manual transmission.

The car also includes a simplified version of the Evolution X's AWD system, with a simple "mechanical limited-slip" rear differential.

New C-shaped LED daytime running lamps surrounding the foglights and side skirts complete the exterior changes, while the cabin gains a high-contrast instrument cluster, a new front centre console with silver and black accents, and a new colour touchscreen audio system with DAB digital radio.

The Fortis has a unique exterior design, but its interior styling and mechanical underpinnings are largely identical to the global Lancer model.

[57] Early models of the Lancer Fortis were powered by the 157 PS (115 kW), 2.0-litre 4B11 engine paired to the INVECS-III CVT gearbox.

The iO was pitched as a sportier version of the Lancer Fortis, featuring a more aggressive front grille and bumper combination.

[64] The Chinese market Lancer Fortis features a different front grille and bumper design in addition to other minor cosmetic changes.

Due to the international version being discontinued, the new generation Lancer is built on the same platform as the existing model as an extensive facelift.