Mitsubishi Lancer EX 2.0 GLS Graphite Grey Pearl
When I was desperately looking for my daily driver, I went on to see a lot of cars and SUVs around, even the than newly launched Lancer EX. I was eager to buy one when I saw it glittering in the showrooms but due to high demand and overbooking, they stopped taking orders till November of that year (2007). I had to resort to something else, instead, I had to wait lots of months more to find out that I did booked the moronic (as @Storm would say) FJ Cruiser. That’s another story as to how I ended up with Toyota Prado VX, instead.
I wanted the one and only Lancer GT due to its extensive list of options and accessories; high quality 9 speaker sound system (Rockford Fostage, if you call that high end), standard 18” wheels, adaptive HID headlamps, fingertip paddle shifters, a “true” remote keyless entry. I said true because unlike other keyless entry systems, you can lock or unlock the doors and start or stop the engine without having to take the remote unit out of the pocket or handbag. There are so many good things about it and I can go on and on.
My colleague bought this vehicle a couple of weeks ago and I got my hands on to see how it’s built and how it performs. Although it was a short life with the performer but it won me over its quality and presence. I might have been blinded by its good virtues but still I can vomit a few things I didn’t like about it.
Lets start with the exterior looks, anyone who loves EVO and can’t afford one can still live the dream, just go out and but the EX instead. Its exterior of both cars is similar in all aspects except for a few cosmetic changes, and maybe a little wider and lower body stance of its more potent big brother.
Some features included in the GLS, which are not available on the lower trim versions are color keyed door handles, tilt and sliding sunroof, Front fog lamp, Chrome belt line molding (out of place but cool), front Air Dam extension, Side Skirts, huge Rear spoiler (pointless but the kids like it, and it looks better that way), etc, etc.
Now let’s come the most exciting part of the car, the interior. It has 3 Spoke leather steering with audio component & cruise controls which is by far the best in class. When I first felt it with the seat of my pants, I thought it was way better looking in quality then a Spartan BMW 3 series, and I’m not making it up. Anyone who had been in a 3 series will attest that Lancer’s exceeds in terms of quality and look. Well, it’ll not drive like one but its not about driving, its about living with it and I bet I can live with more then I can with the cramped, tight and snuggly 3 series. This conclusion translates into one thing, Civic & Corolla are no where near the quality Lancer has.
It also dawned on me while poking at different things in the car that the central part of dash is reminiscent of the Bimmer’s own same-dash-all-the-way-up-to-the-top-of-the-line-models! Regarding the quality, I’ll let the pictures speak for itself.
The interior is so spacious that I can sit (at 6’2”) in front passenger seat with ease and lots of headroom, while a similar sized person finds comforts behind me with ease in rear seats. It is roomier then anything else in its class, spacious more like older generation Galant, Camry and Accord.
Let’s take a step to the performance factor; the engine is really what they call it; Power-plant. It zings through the traffic with ease due to its potent engine (152bhp & 145lb/ft). I have to have another round to see how it performs on long distances, i.e., highway. The engine, however, is a bit raucous, harsh and unrefined. And, that “bit” is disgusting. Mitsubishi could have come up with a solution to that, some dampening stuff, some sound deadening material or something technological like the Noise Cancellation System on that stereo headset gifted to me by @Racerf2.
The only hurdle in calling the Lancer top notch is the fact that the 2.0 liter engine is a disappointment in itself. Let’s not think of it in terms of power, lets take the refinement factor and it really disappoints.
The gearbox, which actually is a CVT, is in fact quite difficult to master. The reason might be that Mitsubishi was cruel enough to simulate 6 gears on a continuously variable transmission by some tricky and glitch-prone software, although its not. Anyway, I had the difficulty to learn how to shift through gears, it was much easier on the Ford Focus I drove a while back. I preferred to drive it as a stubborn guy with no sense of manual and pushed it to auto!
Although the ride is supple but surprisingly agile once you tackle a corner, thanks to its 16” standard alloys and great tires. Braking was top notch; have to mention ABS, EBD & Brake Assist as the force behind it, not me. Nimble and agile, as it’s been advertised, and it sure is. A far cry from its predecessor in every aspect and respect. Looking at quality, size, performance and design, I bet that’s the reason they didn’t wanted to shame itself calling it Lancer in Japan, instead they called it Galant Fortis.
I think I went overboard now and I should quit, I wanted to write a few things more but PW’ers will start calling @datzburrier that he got a competitor. No offense to him, just that he writes so much good things, in long write-ups. I like his passion though.
