sporty sedan Lancer EX, Mitsubishi Motor Corp.

Southeast Motors is the Japanese automaker's joint venture partner in China and it unveiled the production model of the sedan in Beijing last week. The vehicle is now being sold in China through imports.

The models for China production and the imported models are the same in styling except for small changes to the air inlet grid part. The car is 4570mm long, 1760mm wide and 1490mm high.

For powertrains, however, the China-built models will carry 1.8- and 2.0-liter engines while the imported models are mounted with 2.0- and 2.4-liter engine.

According to Southeast Motors, the 1.8- and 2.0-liter engines are Mitsubishi's 4B1 series all-aluminium engines imported from Japan. The car will also carry six-speed continuously variable transmission from Japan.

The company says imported engines can ensure a sporty performance for the car. The Lancer EX has earned good reputation in China due to its strong performance in the FIA World Rally Championship.

Southeast Motors says production of the car will begin "towards the end of this year", without giving a detailed timetable. It adds engineers from Mitsubishi's headquarters are working on the project in Fujian now.

The Locally produced Lancer EX is expected to be 40% cheaper than the imported model. The imported model now sells in China for 218,000 to 285,000 yuan ($31,906 to 41,713).