Lancer reinvented

Lancer reinvented
Mitsubishi returns with the all-new sporty Lancer 2.0GT
Y.S. Khong

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has returned to the Malaysian scene with the sporty and magnificent-looking, but competitively priced, all-new Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GT.

Don't let the relatively low price of RM115,980 (price on-the-road with insurance) of the Lancer 2.0GT, imported from Japan as a completely-built-up (CBU) car, lull you into thinking that this is a cheap car.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia CEO Fumihiko Minami at the car's launch recently stated that the competitive price was the result of much negotiations with the parent company in Japan, and that it is a conscious decision "to maintain our presence" in the market.

In terms of dimensions over the previous model, the new Lancer is 35mm longer at 4,570mm, 45mm higher at 1,490mm, and 65mm wider at 1,760mm. The body has been totally re-designed, and the Evolution 10 Lancer will be based on the same silhouette.

Visually, the new Lancer 2.0GT has an aggressive 'shark-faced' front end, and generally high waistline that tapers upwards towards the rear.

The GT version comes with a set of sporty-looking 18-inch wheels and a body kit comprising a mini-spoiler at the front, side skirts and a rear spoiler.

Its heart is a 2.0-litre DOHC, aluminium block engine equipped with MIVEC (Mitsubishi innovative valve timing and lift electronic control), with 155PS on tap, and 199Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels through a six-speed CVT (constantly variable transmission).

It also comes with a system called INVECS-III, that monitors road and driving conditions, and observes driver behaviour to create an intelligent shift profile and anticipate the driver's moves.

Also standard issue is a set of paddle shifters, made of lightweight titanium, located on the steering column and not on the steering wheel. Mitsubishi is quick to point out that these are not 'toy' push buttons fitted to the steering wheel.

Similarly, the paddle shifts work like the real McCoy, and the gearbox holds the gears whether you are bouncing off the rev-limiter or not. Invoking the paddle shifters is by flicking any one of them or pulling the gearshift lever to the right.

On a drive to Cameron Highlands and back, the Lancer takes to the long and high-speed sweepers on the Simpang Pulai-Camerons Highway like a duck to water, and handles the twists on the old Tapah road with ease.

The six-speed CVT behaves like most other CVTs around, holding a constant engine speed (and constant torque) while the drive and driven 'gears' change imperceptibly to build up speed, giving optimum power while being fuel-efficient.

The Lancer is most enjoyable in 'paddle shift' mode. Being direct-drive, there is none of the transmission slip associated with automatics, and you can feel the car lunge forward on up-shifts on account of the close ratio gears, and get real engine braking when you shift down.

Interestingly, the final drive ratios are slightly shorter when in 'manual' mode, ostensibly to give one better acceleration.

All in, I rate the Lancer 2.0GT a most enjoyable car for those who like driving.