MITSUBISHI facelifts Lancer EX
Subaru calls its Levorg a “compact sports tourer” which is marketing speak for: We can’t decide if it’s a compact car, a sports sedan, or a wagon, so we’ll just blend it all together. True enough, the recipe of the Levorg is largely that: a front-end shar
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) has given its evergreen Lancer EX compact sedan a little plastic surgery. The Lancer EX now gets a bold front fascia and sports new features for both 1.6 GLS and 2-liter GT-A variants.
The latest iteration of the Lancer EX now features a new front bumper with an aggressive sporty look. The bumper now has chrome accents for the GT-A variant. Both variants also now have built-in Daytime Running Lamps (DRL’s) as standard feature. The alloy wheels have a new design and come in a two-tone finish—for the GLS variant it’s mounted on 16-inch alloy wheels while the GT-A rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels. The refreshed Lancer EX is also equipped with a new multimedia entertainment system which has a built-in GPS and has USB and Bluetooth capability.
Two engines namely, the all new 4A92 *(GLS Variant) and the 4B11 Engine *(GT-A Variant) are available for the Lancer EX.
The 4A92 motor is a 1.6-liter 16-valve DOHC with MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control) using a lightweight aluminum block for better power to weight ratio efficiency. The technology maximizes combustion without sacrificing fuel efficiency and emissions. Maximum output of the slick shifting Lancer EX 1.6 MIVEC is 117ps at 6,000 rpm while maximum torque of 154Nm is achieved at 4,000 rpm. Shifting is via 5-speed manual transmission.
The 4B11 is a 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC aluminum engine also with MIVEC. Maximum power for this Euro 4-compliant engine is 150ps at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 197Nm is achieved at 4,250 rpm. This engine is propelled by a CVT Transmission (Continuously Variable Transmission) with a 6-speed Sportronic shift mode and magnesium paddle shifters. This transmission delivers the best of both worlds by offering full-automatic function in heavy traffic and manual gear-shifting for enthusiastic driving.
The GT-A has a class-leading seven SRS airbags as it includes side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags to complement the front dual stage airbags. Standard with all units are the force limiter and pre-tensioner for the front seatbelts. Another noteworthy feature of the new Lancer EX is the Adaptive
The Levorg is based off the WRX (sharing even its wheelbase) but with more chrome. There’s some of that brightwork on the grille, fog lamp clusters, window moldings, and mirrors. The front bumpers have been massaged, adding some curves near the fog lamp clusters that lessen the Evo-lookalike vibe. It’s from the B-pillar backward where the Levorg gets its own unique character. The long, angular roofline that stretches past almost to the taillights is reminiscent of the boxy Volvo 850 wagons and for that alone, it gets sexy points. And on top of that, you get turbine-style 18-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tires and twin tailpipes with a built-in diffuser.
Inside, the Levorg replicates the WRX’s driver-oriented cabin down to the flat-bottomed steering wheel. The driving position is spot on and exterior visibility is excellent thanks to the large windows. There are no complaints with the available space for the front occupants. The seats, with their generous bolsters, are extremely comfy and you can actually spread your legs without fear of banging knees anywhere. And understanding they have to lure a more sophisticated set, it’s got upped touch points with more leather, more chrome, more piano black accents, a lit glove box, and one-touch operation for all the windows. It also has a touchscreen infotainment system with voice controls that actually work and six USB charging points scattered throughout the cabin. Blue hues break the black color scheme and it’s everywhere— the seats, the gauges, and at night, the climate controls. Oddly enough, all other controls not located on the dash itself (steering wheel, windows, transmission tunnel) are still lit in red.
The rear seats, though capable of seating three, will have to live with compromised comfort. Although the seat backs themselves are adjustable via a lever, the cushion length barely reaches the middle of the thighs forcing those in the back to sit uncomfortably straight resulting in, likely, sore bums after hours in traffic. As a grocery getter, the Levorg has a taller and wider, but shorter cargo compartment compared to say, the Mazda6 Sport Wagon. In terms of numbers though, it gives up 78 liters in trunk space compared to the Forester with the rear seats folded (1,446 versus 1,524 liters).
The hood-mounted scoop hints at some sporty pretensions and in that regard, the Levorg doesn’t disappoint, largely. The sole engine is a directinjection, turbocharged version of the FB16 with 170hp and 250Nm of torque. Driven smoothly, there’s good pull from the engine and the power delivery is surprisingly linear. It’s also surprisingly quiet even at past 100 km/h. It’s only when you drive it hard that the weaknesses show. Jab the throttle and for a split-second, you can feel the CVT shuffling its ratios. From almost no power, it turns to a massive jolt of torque past 2,000 rpm. This unpredictable on/off power delivery is somewhat quelled when engaging ‘Sport’ on the Subaru SI-Drive, but you should be ready to hit the brakes anytime.
Locally, the Levorg is the first Subaru model equipped with an idle start/stop function. It operates smoothly and is unobtrusively. And for the geeks at heart, the gauge cluster actually displays the liters of premium unleaded saved. It managed just 7.93 km/L in heavy (average speed 15 km/h) and 10.41 in light traffic (average speed 24 km/h). Still, it can realistically do 400 kilometers between fill ups thanks to a generous 60-liter tank.
The WRX-based underpinnings allow the Levorg to be quick in a straight line as well as through corners. It’s fun, maneuverable, and tossable through curvy roads. It rides firmly for sure, but it remains controlled whether it’s absorbing undulating potholes or road cracks.
Subaru’s chop suey strategy shouldn’t make any sense, but with the Levorg it does. Priced at P1,718,000, it’s trapped in a sea of executive sedans and compact crossovers, and yet, it stands out not just for its excellent handling but for its quirky and unique packaging. Let’s also not forget that it’s now Subaru’s most affordable turbo model. For this price, it comes packed with features some of which aren’t available in other more expensive Subarus. Apart from the idle start/stop, it has blind spot monitors, cross traffic alert, and even a high-beam assist for the headlights. Like all other Subarus, the Levorg is destined for the owner-driver. It’s fun and enjoyable rather than plush and cushy. Subaru has given the best they’ve got with the Levorg and for that, it’s a winner.