The Mitsubishi Lancer GSR has a rich history as a wild and powerful version of the Evo 1, complete with a turbo engine and a top speed approaching 230km/h.
However, the latest version, though no sluggard, is a horse of a different colour. First up it’s got front-wheel drive, not AWD. And the engine is a normally-aspirated two-litre Mivec unit.
More to the point, it comes equipped with a CVT transmission.
Hardly the stuff of legends, but with a great body kit that makes it at least look the part, a nimble chassis that allows a degree of “chuckability”, and a long list of features, it makes sound economic sense, especially at an all-in price of less than $26,000!
And we’re talking here about a car that will seat five, in reasonable comfort, that has a fair-sized boot, and that returns quite exceptional fuel economy figures despite the relatively (these days) big motor.
In fact I easily bettered Mitsubishi’s claimed 7.3L/100km average, and dipped as low as 6.8L/100km – and when it comes to economy, well I suppose “cowboy” would be the best way to describe me!
In terms of looks, “dated” would be a fair description of the GSR, but its “jet fighter” grille, swanky side sills, and big rear spoiler sort of push that to one side, and it’s still an attractive look. However, the 16-inch alloy wheels do look a bit on the small side for a car with sporting pretensions.
Inside, the dash layout is clean and uncluttered, with a strong aluminium-look trim along the bottom making it look wider.
The instrument cluster has deeply-dished gauges, so there are no reflections on the windscreen, while the dominating feature is the big 6.1-inch touchscreen that allows one to choose radio stations, and also does duty as the reversing camera monitor.
One wonders, therefore, why a satnav system isn’t offered as an option; I’m sure the head unit would support it.
There are satellite controls for the audio system on the leather-rimmed steering wheel, as well as for the cruise control.
Bluetooth connectivity is a feature, allowing one to make phone calls or to stream from your audio device (which in my case is the phone), and there’s also a USB if you want to plug it in.
The audio sound is excellent, with four channels and six speakers, including two tweeters. However, I battled a bit with the voice activation – couldn’t get its electronic head around “Call Damien O’Carroll” so I had to opt for using the voice control on the iPhone, which connected me straight away!
As mentioned, the Lancer has been around a while now – and will be for a while longer since Mitsubishi has said it won’t be replacing the Lancer until 2017 while it concentrates on plug-in hybrids – but that doesn’t detract from its abilities on the road.
It feels remarkably light and nimble, with positive steering and excellent handling, a tribute to the work the chassis engineers have put in to get it right, and still feels a lot better than many of the products out there in the marketplace.
Engine power is adequate for most situations, without pulling any trees up, but oh how I hate that CVT transmission, with or without manual mode. Gives me the screaming heebie jeebies, though owners tell me they get used to it!
At least Mitsubishi has fitted a hill hold system to stop it rolling back on inclines, as there’s no torque converter to create the drag that normally fulfils this function.
So… this is certainly no stripped-down special, and comes not only with lots of convenience features, but also a high degree of tech, including rain-sensing wipers, auto headlamps, and all the right passive safety electronics, as well as seven airbags.
Chuck in privacy glass in the back, high quality cloth on the seats, and front and rear fog lights, and the question becomes “at this price, how can you not be impressed?”
