2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS: Acceleration

Thanks for acknowledging that every car out there doesn't have to do 0-60 in under six seconds. Spirited driving now and then is fun but how often does someone need a Camry that goes to 60 in a flash? It cracks me up as everyone complains about gas prices yet shops for the fasted car out there. Driving dynamics and ride can go a long way to making a car fun without the need to drag race every WRX you see. I guess it is an easy stat to test and compare numbers on but there is so much more to the driving experience.
 
It would be good to see more mention of ongoing real world mpg in the write-ups. Does the Civic sacrifice low end torque for the better fuel economy? Not that it is completely a bad thing but in day to day driving in town a bit more torque at lower rpms can make the car seem much more powerful.
 
On a side note: They pack cars with more and more safety features and then load them with enough power to make sure the drivers can still kill themselves and take out a few bystanders. Make the cars brake better and they'll just wait longer to apply the brakes. Add stability control and they'll just push the car that much harder. Each step of idiot proofing the car just seems to make a lot of people turn into bigger idiots.

Orangutan: Agreed! For as little power as the Lancer generates, I would expect higher mpg numbers. When the 268 hp Toyota Camry can get almost the same gas mileage, you know the little Lancer is a gasoholic.
 
As an aside, my wife's Eclipse (rated at 18/25 under the 2008 EPA figures) regularly averages 30 mpg on 75 mph cruises, and my Focus (rated at 24/33 under the 2008 figures) is averaging 34 as a daily driver. So I'm not convinced of the accuracy of the new EPA ratings.
 
Back to the point of this blog post, I really like the Lancer's styling: very sharp, taught, and sporty looking. This is typical of Mitsubishis in the last 5-10 years. I think their design crew did a good job.

You should do a side-by-side-by-side with the Civic Si and the Ferrari.

I think Subaru NEEDS to borrow some of Mitsu's designers.
 
This is what the new Corrola should have looked like! Looks nice in black.

These acceleration times do not meet my expectations, personally. My 2006 Civic SI was hitting 0-60 in ~7 seconds and a 15 second quarter mile time while pulling the same EPA ratings (adjusted to 2008 versions) as the Lancer. I have easily achieved 34mpg in pure highway and average 29-30mpg in 60% highway now.
 
The Mazda 3 2.3 liter 5-speed also pulls better acceleration with about the same economy. And that engine is, what, 4 years old?
 
I think the 3300 pound 5-speed Honda Accord 2.4 cylinder 5-speed pulls better numbers than that...
 
My point is, those aren't exactly "sporty economy car" numbers. About 15 more HP and a 15.5-16.0 second quarter mile time would do wonders
 
Joe

"Meanwhile, Mitsubishi will be introducing a Lancer with a more powerful 2.4-liter engine later in the model year."
 
I must have missed something here, but can someone please clarify what they mean by 'later in the model year'? Does that mean they are introducing one before the 2009 Model comes in or does that mean that the new engine comes in after a mid-cycle refresh?
 
And for those who are banging on about Mitsubishi not bringing out the same mileage numbers, you must consider that they are teetering back from the verge of bankruptcy here in the US and I don't think they've had the same success/opportunity to develop their engines more to compete on the same plane with Honda, Mazda or Toyota when it comes to fuel economy, but that's just MHO.
 
I gotta admit though, I love this car. They should give it an AWD system at base like they did for the Galant Fortis. Then we would have something to cheer about :P

"They should give it an AWD system at base like they did for the Galant Fortis. Then we would have something to cheer about :P"
 
Why does it need AWD? Unless you live in a snow belt, it will serve little purpose other then add cost, increase weight, reduce mileage and reduce performance.
 
It's worth it on the EVO as the power is too much for front wheel drive but I don't see it in the base model.

I think the overall power is fine; it doesn't need more power, it needs less weight. The manual transmission Lancer weighs 3032 lbs while a manual Civic sedan weighs 2738 lbs while a new Sentra SE-R Spec-V weighs 3048 pounds. The Spec-V gets the same mileage as the Lancer while weighing more, having a half liter larger engine, and producing 60 more horsepower. Meanwhile the vanilla SE-R with CVT weighs 3072 pounds, has a half liter larger engine, produces 35 more horsepower, and gets 24 | 30. In CVT form, the Lancer weighs only 75 pounds less than a CVT-equipped Altima, a larger car that gets even better gas mileage than either Sentra 2.5 while still hustling to 60 in 8 or fewer seconds.
 
The Lancer needs to go on a diet, just like its platform-mate the Outlander, while tossing the CVT in the trash for a real transmission.

@firstwagon
 
I think having the 4wd option should at least be a possibility since Mitsubishi is aiming for Subaru's WRX with the Ralliart. The comparison isn't the same when it comes to base because the base Impreza has 4wd while the GTS/ES/DE have FWD. The base Lancer therefore cannot directly compete with the base Impreza when it comes to that, and people who want an AWD economy car choose the Subaru because that's basically the only option. And yes I am moving to a Snow Belt State so having AWD on this would be nice, because otherwise I have to dish out more money for the Ralliart. Having a cheaper alternative would help my wallet somewhat.

joefrompa: "I think the 3300 pound 5-speed Honda Accord 2.4 cylinder 5-speed pulls better numbers than that... "
 
Correct, I have a 2007 Accord LX 5-speed. Car and Driver tested this car 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, which is pretty good considering it is a midsize.
 
My mileage over the first 10k of ownership has been very impressive, averaging 27 in mostly city driving.
 
Apples to oranges? Maybe. While similiar in price, the Accord is larger, quicker, and more economical than the Lancer. However, it lacks aggresive styling and gives up some handling. Of course this comprison is even less relevant with the all new, even larger and heavier 2008 Accord.

Bender, I think he was talking about the 2008 Accord, not your model.
 
2007 5-speed 4cylinder LX sedan weighs: 3133 lbs
2007 5-speed 4cylinder LX sedan weighs: 3161 lbs
 
2008 5-speed 4cylinder LX sedan weighs: 3230 lbs
2008 5-speed 4cylinder EX sedan weighs: 3349 lbs

I think a 2008 Impreza 2.5i vs. 2008 Lancer ES or GTS would be an interesting comparo.

SubyTrojan,
 
I think it would be a very interesting comparison as well.

hunter312: See this Straightline entry, posted Nov. 15: http://66.160.188.111/Straightline/3787 It says the GTS will get the 2.4 for model year 2009.