A true GT: Driving Mitsubishi's new Lancer

Regular readers of The Philippine STAR know just how fond we are of Mitsubishi’s mean-looking new Lancer. We love the looks and we love the specs.

Look-wise, it has the most aggressive design ever to grace a Japanese four-door sedan, thanks to its glaring headlamps and the gaping A-shaped grille that extends from the edge of the hood all the way to the bottom of the bumper. To the driver looking at his rear-view mirror, the new Lancer behind him looks like a great white shark about to devour its prey.

The classic upwardly sloping wedge profile from front to rear that makes sports cars look so purposeful is used to great effect in this car. Large-diameter wheels help a lot here too. Mitsu fitted the Lancer GT model with biggest-in-class 18-inch wheels shod with 215/45R-18 tires. (The entry-level MX variant makes do with still-impressive 16-inch alloys with decently wide 205-sized rubber.)

The P1.198 million GT-A (the top-of-the-line automatic CVT variant) is also differentiated from the P990,000 MX by its extrovertly designed body kit composed of front airdams fitted on either side of the bottom edge of the front bumper, side skirts, rear skirts, and a tall rear wing. To the uninitiated, the GT might be mistaken for its P2 million-plus fire-breathing Lancer Evo X brother, which is not at all a bad thing.

Under the new Lancer’s hood lies a 2-liter DOHC 16-valve MIVEC variable valve timing-equipped engine that develops an impressive 155 ps at 6,000 rpm and 20.3 of torque at 4250 rpm. This state-of-the-art motor, which is among the most powerful in its class, is mated to either a 5-speed manual (P1.085 million for the GT model) or an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a 6-speed paddle-shift manumatic feature, both of which I’ve tested.

On the road, the power comes in strong, especially when it’s mated to the 5-speed stick. The engine revs eagerly and sounds appropriately sporty; not overly muted like in other Japanese sedans.

It’s with the otherwise convenient CVT where the performance is let down a bit. The acceleration is a bit more sluggish, but my biggest beef is that the engine loses a lot of its sporty character as the engine revs virtually stay at a monotonous 4000 rpm as the car gets up to speed. It’s not a hardware or software glitch. All CVT-equipped drivetrains behave this way. Using the delightful paddle shifters to play with the six gears improves the driving experience substantially, however.

What I do like about both drivetrains is their fuel economy. Both manual- and automatic-equipped engines delivered an admirable 9-plus kpl in city driving. Not bad for a high-performance 2-liter engine.

Suspension chores are handled by MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link setup at the rear, both featuring stabilizer bars for flatter cornering. The new Lancer has a delightful blend of supple ride and responsive handling. I didn’t test the MX, but I expect that car to have an even more supple ride thanks to its higher aspect ratio tires – albeit at the small expense of slightly less responsive handling.

Admirably strong braking comes via four-wheel-discs for the GT models and front discs with rear drums for the CVT-only MX variant. All models have ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, the latter increasing the amount of pedal pressure for drivers who are unable to step strongly on the brake pedal even in emergency braking situations.

The audio system takes centerstage thanks to a kick-ass 9-speaker (count ‘em!) Rockford-Fosgate audio system in the GT which features four tweeters and a subwoofer and mates them to a 6-CD in-dash head unit with audio jack. The MX does away with the Rockford head unit and makes do with six speakers and no sub. All models have steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

The impressively numerous safety features include dual airbags and for the GT, the addition of side airbags, curtain airbags, and even a driver’s knee airbag.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Lancer is actually shorter by an inch but is almost three inches wider and two inches taller. Its wheelbase has been lengthened by a little over an inch. The net effect is a much roomier cabin, and one that has much more inspired design and improved fit and finish, not that the previous model was boring or poorly put together.

Having no 1.6- or 1.8-liter variants, the new Lancer will never be as omnipresent as a Toyota Altis or a Honda Civic. But that’s precisely its appeal. The standout looks will stand out more thanks to its relative rarity. What good is being a great white when all the other sharks are great whites too?

THE GOOD

• Razor-sharp styling

• Paddle shifters

• Lots of safety features

• Superb balance of ride and handling

• Kick-butt audio system

• Surprisingly fuel-efficient

THE BAD

• Pricey

• CVT gearbox dulls the otherwise potent performance

• GT’s tall rear wing blocks rear view

THE VERDICT

• A good-looking and solid-performing sports sedan that’s an honest-to-goodness poor man’s BMW.