Sure, the introduction of the long-awaited Lancer Evolution has given the company a much-needed halo car, but it is the grassroots version that’s the dominant player. The GTS is the model that bridges the gap between the Evo and the entry-level relations.
Powering the GTS is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that delivers 152 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm, which is enough to motivate the 1,410-kilogram four-door with enthusiasm — it gets to 100 kilometres an hour in 8.9 seconds. This engine is commendably smooth from idle to around 5,000 rpm. Above this point in the rev range, it tends to become a little thrashy, especially when hooked up to the optional continuously variable transmission (CVT).
In drive, the base Lancer’s CVT forces the engine to run within a whisper of redline until the desired speed is attained, which produces a long, drawn-out mechanical cacophony.
