Sunday November 15, 2009

Soft sport

TRIED and TESTED
By EUGENE MAHALINGAM

Despite its snarl, this spacious beast is a silent attraction.

I USED to wonder what it would be like to get a brand new car for the festive season – which tends to be the norm with motorists in this country.

Well, I came quite close to experiencing that exhilarating feeling when I got the chance to test drive the new Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GT during the recent Hari Raya holidays!

I had seen the new Lancer on the road and billboards a few times, but it wasn’t until I got up close to it that I noticed how large it actually is!

I was also pleasantly surprised by how spacious the interior was, especially in the rear. Those looking to take the family out for a casual drive or a long trip will have nothing to complain about – there is ample leg room for passengers sitting behind. I’m not one of the tallest guys around, but I can relate to lanky individuals who will certainly appreciate the spacious headroom at the back.

SIZE MATTERS: The Mitsubishi Lancer looks big and is spacious to boot.

Tall back seat passengers, especially, won’t have to worry about being “pile-driven” (I speak from painful experience) into the ceiling lining while being driven over speed-breakers that literally appear out of nowhere – a common occurrence on Malaysian roads.

Speaking of which, one would be comforted to know that the Lancer comes with a four-wheel independent suspension system incorporating front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link system.

For the not-so-vertically-challenged, taking the driver’s seat for the first time can be a bit intimidating. Given the Lancer’s rather formidable size, the front hood seems to go on forever. But that can be easily fixed by adjusting the seat.

The interior of the Lancer is also adorned with full Nappa leather sport-type seats.

The most obvious change with the current facelift is the front design, which features a re-profiled bumper and a bolder grille with a chrome outline, which gives this beast a somewhat meaner Lancer Evolution-looking “snarl”.

The oversized 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, “angry” headlamps, body kit with rear spoiler and chrome exhaust will certainly appeal to those who like the sporty look.

However, the rear spoiler cuts across the rear window and obstructs a bit of your view of what’s behind.

Despite its menacing looks, I was surprised by how softly the engine purred when I first fired up the car. I’d expected a loud roar; even when pushed hard, that purr just turned into a gentle growl.

Seriously, the engine is quiet and the car steadies at top speeds – I had to keep looking at the speedometer to know how fast I was going!

The Lancer is powered by a 2.0-litre, 16-valve DOHC engine with MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control) technology. It boasts 155bhp and 199Nm of torque, and is mated to an INVECS-III CVT (continuously variable transmission) with paddle shifters (built into the steering column) that allow you to swap between the CVT’s six pre-defined virtual ratios.

The steering column is mounted on paddle shifters that are flexible and allow room for error.

Whether you just like to sit back, step on the accelerator and cruise, crave a more aggressive style of driving, or want to enjoy the thrill of changing gears manually (while still keeping the convenience of an automatic transmission), the choice is yours. The Lancer guarantees the swift, powerful acceleration expected of any 2.0-litre car.

What I liked most about using the paddle shifters was that they were very flexible and allowed plenty of room for error (to shift the virtual gears) compared with the previous variant.

A button on the dash allows the driver to quickly access vital information such as the vehicle’s average speed and fuel consumption, engine coolant temperature and odometer, the estimated distance left before the fuel tank goes dry and maintenance schedule.

For those who are concerned about whether to go for RON95 or RON97 grade fuel, fear not; the car can run on anything above RON90 (so says the owner’s manual).

If you’re one of those who likes to look good behind the wheel, this car certainly attracts attention. I got curious glances from inquisitive neighbours who kept asking, “New car ah?”

Sadly, I had to tell them that my hold on the car was temporary. But even that was enough to make them green with envy – something owners of the new Lancer can expect when they drive theirs home for keeps.

Fully imported by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the car costs RM120,598 (on-the-road without insurance).