A SHEEP IN WOLF’S CLOTHING?

By Roy Nakano If any vehicle serves as Mitsubishi’s icon, it’s the all-wheel drive, turbocharged Lancer Evolution. The current generation car, the Evolution X, has a look that is both edgy and recognizable. It doesn’t come cheap—the EVO will set you back $33,000 (closer to $40,000 if you opt for the MR version). For those that like the look but don’t want to pay the price, Mitsubishi will sell you the same basic Lancer silhouette in a variety of flavors. At one end of the spectrum is the almighty EVO, and at the other end is the mild-mannered Lancer DE. Between the two extremes, you can get the slightly more upscale ES, the slightly sportier GTS, or the significantly sportier Ralliart.

Having come off of the EVO and Ralliart, we can tell you that the sporty GTS is not quite as sporty as the aforementioned barnstormers. The GTS has to do without turbochargers and dual-clutch SST transmissions. For this year, however, the GTS does get a powerplant upgrade over the DE and ES models—i.e., a more powerful 2.4-liter 168 horsepower aluminum DOHC MIVEC four-cylinder engine. When equipped with the CVT, the Lancer GTS features a 6-step Sportronic® mode using magnesium steering wheel paddle shifters that are a delight to use. The GTS also has a few other goodies to set it apart from the base models: 18-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker audio system, automatic climate control system, a chrome exhaust finisher, chrome-plated inner door levers, fog lights, a front air dam, hands-free Bluetooth® cellular phone interface system with voice recognition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a leather-wrapped parking brake, a high-contrast multi-color LCD instrument display, rear spoiler, sport bucket seats up front, and a sport-tuned suspension including front strut tower brace. While some of these goodies definitely help the Lancer go around corners better, the GTS is more civilized than its boosted brethren, the EVO and Ralliart. If you want the thrill of victory, I suggest spending a bit more money for the Ralliart version. The GTS is a good car, but we’ve tasted the spicier Lancers, and it’s hard to go back to the milder flavors.

SUMMARY JUDGMENT It’s got the look, but not the kick. For more information about Mitsubishi products, go to mitsubishiusa.com

SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicle: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS Price: Base $18,990.00; as tested $22,490.00 options include: Sun & Sound Package $1,500.00; Navi & Tech Package $2,000.00 Engine type: 2.4L DOHC 16-valve inline four, MIVEC Engine (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control system) Horsepower: 168 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque: 167 pound-feet @ 4,100 rpm EPA-rated gas mileage (city/highway): 20/28 (manual) 22/29 (automatic) Drive configuration: Front engine / front-wheel drive Transmission type: 5-speed manual (standard) Continuously Variable Transaxle, Electronic 6-speed automatic overdrive with paddle shifters (optional) Suspension: Rear multi-link with front & rear stabilizer bars Wheels and tires: 18-inch aluminum wheels, P215/45R18 All Season Performance Tires Brakes: 4-wheel discs with ABS Steering: Power rack/pinion hydraulic power steering Overall length/wheelbase: 180.0 inches/ 105 inches Overall width: 69.4 inches (excluding mirrors) Overall height: 58.7 inches Overall weight: 3010 lbs