In a segment defined by value and kilometer distance when it comes to fuel consumption mileage, the sporty Lancer GT doesn’t cut it against its best competitors or even against the average ones. Though you as an avid follower of developments in the automotive world wouldn’t know just by looking, the attractive Lancer has not been redesigned since the 2008 model year.
That may not seem like a long time, but the compact-sedan segment has taken huge leaps in refinement and gas mileage since the Lancer last saw a thorough going-over. Little has changed for the 2013 model year. Depending on the market, the Lancer sedan comes in four primary trim levels: DE, ES, GT and SE.
All Mitsubishi models are available in Nigeria at Kewalram Nigeria (automotive division) and the CFAO Motors.
If you prefer hatchbacks, the Sportback version of the Lancer comes in ES and GT trim levels, detailed separately. The GT has a more powerful engine and a sportier suspension than the other trim levels, but it’s slotted below the higher-performance, turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Ralliart and Evolution models.
Aimed at younger buyers, the Lancer’s angular, stocky appearance still looks good in an aggressive way, though it’s bordering on dated when lined up against the new Focus or Mazda3. The GT borrows front styling from the turbocharged Ralliart and wears large, 18-inch wheels that don’t look overdone thanks to their understated styling. One thing that thrills most car freaks is that even the interior design still looks fairly contemporary, as the materials have stood the test of time.
The Lancer GT’s shining driving characteristic is how sportfully it handles. The quick-acting steering is reminiscent of the Evolution, a legitimate sports car. The GT is available only with front-wheel drive, so it doesn’t have the Evolution’s super-smart all-wheel drive, but the handling is still entertaining for a compact car.
The 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine has more guts than many small sedans, with a potent 168 horsepower, up from the base model’s 148-hp, 2.0-liter engine and pairs with a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional continuously variable automatic transmission. The CVT responds quickly to accelerator inputs and isn’t as lagging behind as other CVTs when you need quick response and believe it, when the occupants are not having fun tossing this car around, they are really not having fun.
The Lancer GT’s gas mileage maxes out at an EPA-estimated 59 kilometers per gallon on the highway a number that was merely average even back when this Lancer generation was introduced. The smaller, more efficient 2.0-liter is rated better on the highway, which is still a ways off from the segment’s benchmark.
Sporty compact cars like the Focus and Mazda3 provide an equal fun-to-drive factor without noisy interior, unrefined engine or as harsh a suspension. The Focus and Mazda3 are also comfortable and livable everyday drivers just like the Lancer.
Talking about the features, the Lancer GT’s standard features include a USB input and Bluetooth with a manual and automatic transmission. USB is optional equipment on the ES and SE trims and not available on the entry-level DE, while Bluetooth is standard on all trims above the DE, which though cannot be equipped with Bluetooth.
In the area of safety, the 2013 base Lancer with front-wheel drive scores an overall four out of five stars in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests. The Lancer receives the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick designation with its best score, Good, in frontal-offset, side, rear and roof-strength tests.
Standard safety features include front airbags, front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, and a driver’s knee airbag.
MIKE OCHONMA
