Newport Beach, CA – Most people,
when asked about Mitsubishi, will respond with a comment regarding the EVO,
Mitsubishi’s turbo-charged, all-wheel drive rocket ship. Most seem to forget that there is an
entire family of capable compact 4-door sedans that the EVO just happens to be
the top dog of. The Lancer line-up
starts with the rather pedestrian Lancer DE and ES trim levels, then the focus
of this review, the GTS, and from there the Ralliart and top dog EVO.
The DE and ES trim levels come fairly well equipped and are motivated by a 2.0
Liter 4-banger making 152 horsepower and 146 Lb-Ft Torque (143 HP and 143 Lb-Ft
in CA emissions trim making it a partial Zero-Emissions vehicle). Standard is a 5-Speed Manual or a CVT
is the optional transmission. The
fun on the way up the Lancer model ladder starts with the GTS trim level. The GTS gets a 2.4 Liter DOHC four
cylinder engine making 168 horsepower and 167 Lb-Ft Torque and can also be
paired with the 5-speed manual or the aforementioned CVT, but…in the GTS you
gain a manual mode and paddle-shifters.
Along with the boost in horsepower the GTS gets a sport-tuned suspension,
18-inch alloy wheels over the 16-incher steel and alloy wheels of the DE and SE,
sport bucket front seats with upgraded material, leather wrapped shifter and
hand brake, Bluetooth, audio and cruise controls via the leather wrapped
steering wheel, a 6-speaker sound system, full power accessories, MP3/AUX jack,
60/40 split fold down rear seat with armrest, chromed exhaust tip, and full body
kit with front spoiler and the boy-racer rear deck wing.
MSRP for all the above and more in the GTS is $18,990, add the Touring package gaining you leather seats with heaters for the fronts, HID headlamps, rain sensing wipers, and a sound resistant windshield. Another optional package is the Sun & Sound offering and is the “must have” in my opinion. True to its name you gain the power glass sunroof and the 710-Watt Rockford-Fosgate Punch Premium
Sound System with 9-speakers, one of which is a 10-inch subwoofer. 3 months of Sirius Satellite Radio
are included from date of purchase and an in-dash 6 disc CD changer/MP3 player. Keyless entry and ignition, dubbed
the “fast-key entry system” is also part of the Sun & Sound Package. Total MSRP is now a wallet friendly
$23,110.00. Packaged as described,
sans a navigation system, you have a handsome, comfortable, family friendly,
sporty compact sedan for not a whole lot of your hard earned cabbage.
If you drive anything like I do you’ll need some of that cabbage at the gas
pump; EPA estimates are pretty good at 20 City and 28 Highway with a combined of
23 MPG. However, keeping the
4-banger on full boil and high in the revs where it likes to be, exercising
Mitsubishi’s MIVEC technology puts a damper on fuel mileage returns regardless
of the grins doing so brings to your face.
Driven more conservatively will certainly return better fuel mileage.
Piloting the Lancer GTS is an entertaining experience. Running up through the gears and
feeling the engine hit its peak horsepower is very entertaining. Torque-steer is evident as in any
front-wheel driver with reasonable horsepower, especially while trying to exit
corners and get the power down. The
cabin is a pleasant place to conduct business too, the color multi-information
display is easy to read at a glance, the shifter offer precise throws and the
clutch pick-up was just as I like it.
The materials used in the cockpit are of the hard plastic type but all
the controls are laid out within easy reach and logically placed.
There are other economy sedans out there; none offer the sporty good looks or
the performance of the Lancer GTS.
It’s no EVO but you can say your GTS is in the bloodline!
Column and photos provided by Rich Branch, EVP of Race Central TV and Radio Network Partners.
