When we think of a car in the local market in terms of practicality, fun and performance, the Mitsubishi Lancer has always come to mind. Since its introduction in 1973, it’s had a huge following. Not only did Mitsubishi offer the Lancer in basic sedan trim, they’ve always had something special for their enthusiasts as well - from the L-Type 1600 GSR, Box-Type 1800 GSR and GT, all the way to the current GT, all these (bar the L-Type 1600 GSR) were slated in between the base and high performance Evolution model, while the Lancer EX 2000 Turbo (Box-Type) was the first Lancer to use the 4G63 engine which was then used in the Galant VR-4 and the Lancer Evolutions I to IX. Mitsubishi knew their demographic: they offered performance-derived models without asking you to dig deep for the all-out Evo model.

Looking at the current Lancer EX GT, it’s obvious Mitsubishi put in a lot of time, effort, and energy into this car. It looks mean and fast, even while standing still. It definitely looks the part with 18” inch alloy wheels, an aerodynamic ground package, and a proper rear wing. Inside, you have sport seats with water-repellent fabric, classic black dash and interior with gauges that look so evil with red, a thick leather-wrapped steering wheel and a short shiftknob. It’s as though it has a sole purpose.

Once you fire up the engine, it has this rough engine note that tells you it wants to play, unlike other new cars which sound so insulated, silent, and boring. The Lancer just sounds so good from idle to 6000 rpm.

The heart and soul of this machine is a brand new two liter power plant (codenamed 4B11) with a lightweight aluminum block, which is good for 153 horses. Thanks to the company’s MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Control) Technology, it helps squeeze every rpm at both low and high rev ranges. The transmission is smooth and precise; and that short shiftknob is a refreshing sight with all the talk of twin clutch here and there. That engine note matched with a manual transmission brings me back to the days of the Galant GTi.

Around town, the Lancer is easy to live with. Low range is magnificent. The steering has the right amount of heaviness and is firm to the feel with a nice and tight turning radius. The Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) is a lovely bonus, too, perfect for mountain twisties.

On the highway, it’s so playful, yet so effortless to drive. It’s such a joy to go through the gears and that wide powerband. We stayed steady at 140 km/h with the rev counter needle constant at 4000 rpm with a feeling that this car wants a sixth gear. It just wants to be unleashed.

Around the track, it’s easy to see why the Lancer is high revving on the highway. It’s so at home on the track. On fast bends, it has a tendency to understeer if you stay on the power; but once you back off and balance the throttle, it will tuck in and is very predictable. On tight turns, the steering is accurate - just point and shoot. It’s sheer joy working through the gears and pushing it more and more. And the stiff suspension complements its track qualities.

The GT model may have been stripped off a few features that’s on the GT-A to give it a more competitive price, like side and curtain airbags (seven in total, while the GT has three- front and driver’s knee), Auto Rain-Sensing Wiper and Auto Lighting Controls, and that ass-kicking Rockford Fosgate Premium Sound System with nine speakers. It would have been great if Mitsubishi threw in the sound system, although the original equipment six speaker system is pretty good. But at the end of the day, who cares? With killer looks and performance to match, what’s not to love?

+: Visually striking, playful powerplant, precise transmission, fi rm yet comfortable suspension, tight turning radius, AFS

–: Needs a sixth gear, Rockford Fosgate Premium Sound System and audio port should come standard