This modified Mitsubishi Lancer is a samurai

Vilner Studio has brought the Mitsubishi Lancer back to life. By way of the samurai. The interior design specialist’s newest creation is a top down recreation of the 2011 Mitsi, named ‘Allroads Ronin’.

We shall start on the inside. We’re told the doors, central armrest and headrests were formed of heat and pressured velour, into a pattern resembling a samurai’s armour. Velour. 

Vilner also applied a special Japanese fabric called Amaretta, wrapping it around the dash, upper sections of the door trims, the pillars, and even bits of the steering wheel. The plastic door inserts have been recast from metal (y’know, the whole samurai sword thing), and then we come to the noise. Or lack of it.

Vilner has applied the equivalent of a large dog in the form of sound deadening. There's 35kg of the stuff, apparently a record for Vilner. We’re told this means superior noise reduction. Better to contemplate the Bushido code. Or just sit in awkward silences.

Outside, there are snazzy new LED headlights, new wheel arch guards with anti-corrosion coating, gloss black and red elements dotted around, and roof graphics. The whole thing’s been raised by 20mm, rides on special wheels, and features that 2.0-litre turbo engine with 241bhp.

“It’s not a samurai in search his new self,” explains Vilner boss Atanas Vilner, “this is a Ronin on a mission to conquer every road.”

So, are you thinking its Seven Samurai or more Kill Bill?