First generation

Also called	Chrysler Valiant Lancer Dodge Colt
Production	1973–1979
Body style(s)	2-door sedan 2-door hardtop coupe 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 3-door hatchback (Celeste)
Layout	FR layout
Platform	A142A–A145A
Engine(s)	1.2 l I4 1.6 l I4 1.4 l I4 2.0 l I4
Wheelbase	2,343 mm (92.2 in) (sedan/saloon)
Length	3,981 mm (156.7 in)
Width	1,524 mm (60.0 in)
Height	1,362 mm (53.6 in)
Curb weight	832 kg (1,830 lb) (approx)[2]
Fuel capacity	45 L (11.9 US gal; 9.9 imp gal)[3]
Designer	Shinichi Yamamura (design) Munechika Namba (engineering)[4]

The Lancer (LA series in Australia, where it was called the Chrysler Valiant Lancer initially) was first launched in 1973 and proved to be particularly successful in rallies, a claim that it retains to this day. At the time of its launch, Mitsubishi had the Minica kei car and the compact Galant, so the Lancer served to fill the gap in the small to lower-medium segment of the growing Japanese market. Twelve models were launched, ranging from a basic 1.2 L sedan to a more powerful rally-derived 1600 GSR model.
There were four body styles, 2-door and 4-door sedans, a 2-door hardtop coupe and a rarely seen 5-door station wagon.

[edit] Celeste

In 1975, the Lancer was complemented by a hatchback coupé called the Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste (also called the Mitsubishi Celeste or Colt Celeste in some markets; it was the Chrysler Lancer Coupé in Australia and the Plymouth Arrow in the United States), and sold with 1.4 L and 1.6 L options (a 2.0 L model was added later).

[edit] Facelift and exports

A facelifted Lancer followed soon after, called the LB series in Australia (and without the Valiant tag). It was this series that emerged in the United States as the Dodge Colt for the 1977 model year, taking over from a badge-engineered Mitsubishi Galant from the previous year. It was offered for one more model year before the Dodge Colt name was transferred to the front wheel drive Mitsubishi Mirage.