The New Proton Waja

Long - waited Proton Waja will be arriving soon




Is this the most talked about Proton Waja 2 that the whole Malaysia is waiting for? Is this the elusive so-called second generation of Proton Waja which is based on the well-known Mitsubishi Lancer? I don't know but chances is that we Malaysians will get to see this Proton Waja Lancer very, very soon as it was spotted in Penang earlier last month (August 2010). Moreover TV3 also did some coverage about this new Waja 2 Lancer today (3rd September)!


This Proton Waja Lancer is actually a replacement model to the old, won-out looking boxy Waja. It is about time that Proton come out with a new model for their Waja line up. Before we proceed to the real Waja 2, let's look at the ideal Proton Waja Lancer which was conceived by Theophiluschin. If I am not mistaken this conjured Waja Lancer is actually fusion of the current Mitsubishi Lancer with our Proton Waja and Proton Persona. That's why his creation retains the boxy feel of Waja and the elegant grill of Persona. And of course this Waja Lancer spots the unmistakable fierce front light of the Lancer.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS

The new Mitsubishi Lancer GTS

The changes affect the Lancer GTS, the racy top-of-the-line model, which gets a bigger engine -- 2.4 liters and 168 horsepower, versus 2.0 liters and 152 hp for DE and ES models and the 2008 GTS. Outside, the boy-racer theme returns with a body kit and a big trunk spoiler. Does the new engine make the Lancer GTS a true sportser?

Pros

• Strong engine
• Racy styling (if that's your thing)
• Decent fuel economy

Cons

• Bargain-bin interior bits

Description

• GTS gets bigger engine than other Lancer models, similar to the old-shape Lancer Ralliart
• Slots in above DE and ES, below turbocharged Ralliart and Evolution models
• Price range: $18,640 - $23,190
• Price as tested: $20,390
• EPA fuel economy estimates: 21 MPG city/28 MPG highway (manual), 21/27 (CVT automatic)

Mitsubishi introduced the current version of the Lancer as a 2008 model, and one of my few complaints about it was that if you opted for a manual transmission, it took a lot of shifting to keep the 2.0 liter engine on the boil. The GTS' new 2.4 liter engine, which boasts an extra 16 horsepower and 21 lb-ft of torque, solves that problem nicely. And fuel economy is still very respectable -- despite the engine constantly chomping at the bit and begging me to go faster, I managed MPG figures in the mid 20s in town and almost 30 on the road.

In the curves, the new Lancer GTS is scrappy and energetic. It's a lot more fun than theToyota Corolla XRS, but it just doesn't grip the road as well as proper sport-compact sedans like the Honda Civic Si and the Volkswagen GLI. That said, at $18,640 it's $3-$5k cheaper. Spend the difference on a set of aftermarket springs, shocks and tires, and I bet the Lancer GTS could give the Honda and the Vee Dub a run for their money.

But you still won't have a nicer car. Inside, the Lancer feels like you found it in the discount rack. Compared to the Civic, Corolla, and Jetta, its dash and interior trim are dated and a little cheap.

Still, there aren't many cars that deliver so much fun for such a reasonable price. The base-model Volkswagen Jetta would be my pick, though it's thirstier than the Lancer. The Toyota Corolla XRS matches the Lancer for get-up-and-go, but it's nowhere near as enjoyable to drive. And the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V is just as much fun but a couple grand more expensive.

The verdict: I like it. In terms of grins-per-dollar, the Lancer GTS is a tremendous value. Taken as a whole, it's not the best car in its class, but its heart is in the right place. If more cars were designed with the Lancer GTS' spirit, the world would be a much more enjoyable place to drive.