Mitsubishi is Back with the All-New Lancer 2.0 GT
Kuala Lumpur, 8 August 2007 – Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia made an awesome comeback into the car market with a big bang when they launched the all-new Lancer 2.0 GT at the KL Convention Centre yesterday evening.
Although it is fully imported as a CBU unit from Japan, the principal has declared an opening price of RM115, 980.00 (price on-the-road with insurance). This price is a bargain if you read on and see the package that comes with it. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia CEO, Mr. Fumihiko Minami, when asked the question as to why they have priced it so low, stated that the competitive price was the result of much negotiations with the parent company Mitsubishi Motors of Japan, and that it is a conscious decision, “to maintain our presence” in the market.
The new Lancer has ‘grown’ quite a bit. In terms of dimensions over the previous model, the new Lancer is 4570mm long, an increase of 35mm, 1490mm wide, an increase of 45mm, and is 65mm wider at 1760mm. The body has been totally re-designed, and the Evolution 10 Lancer will be based on the same silhouette. Visually, the new Lancer 2.0 GT is a handsome car, with a very aggressive-looking ‘shark faced’ front end, with a generally high waistline that tapers upwards towards the rear. The GT version comes with a set of sporty-looking 18-inch wheels. Adding to it all is a body kit comprising of a mini-spoiler at the front, side skirts and a rear spoiler. The overall effect is a very sporty-looking car that looks fast standing still.
The heart of the new Lancer 2.0 GT is a 2.0 litre DOHC, aluminium block engine equipped with MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic control), which in layman terms is variable valve timing, Mitsubishi-style. It comes with 155 PS on tap, and 199Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels through a 6-speed CVT (Constantly Variable Transmission). It also comes with a system called INVECS-III, that monitors road and driving conditions, and observes driver behaviour to create an intelligent shift profile and anticipate driver moves.
Also standard issue is a set of paddle shifters, made of lightweight magnesium. The paddles are located on the steering column, and not on the steering wheel, and Mitsubishi were quick to point out that these are not ‘toy’ push buttons fitted to the steering wheel. Similarly, the paddle shifts work like the real McCoy, and the gearbox holds the gears regardless of whether you are bouncing off the rev-limiter or not. Invoking the paddle shifters is either by flicking any one of them, or by pulling the gearshift lever to the right.
In a few hours AW will be joining a whole group of motoring journalists on a media drive to Cameron Highlands, and it is expected that the Lancer 2.0 GT will be quite impressive on the twisty roads leading to and from the highlands.
Keep your eyes on this column for our test drive report.
