In 2-litre GT-S configuration, the Lancer EX is racy enough for grown-up boy racers weaned on a cheap and good diet of Lancer GLX, MR and 1.5 EX. It is also affordable (in the current Category B COE context) and backed by C&C’s unbeatable after-sales support. But the motoring experience provided by the car could be more memorable. Hopefully, Mitsubishi remembers to replace this model – sooner rather than later.
The updated 6 continues to be faithful to Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom philosophy of automotive joy. If you do zoom in for a closer look, however, you will find that it is essentially the same car – now 42 months old and counting. It still looks good, it still steers great, and it still has far more character than a Camry, but the 6 is no longer the most thorough “soft” sports saloon for ordinary people.
That title now belongs to the Kizashi, Suzuki’s sporty blue-collar flagship. Like how the Swift Sport liberated hundreds of drivers from the hire purchase tyranny of the Golf GTI, the Kizashi makes grand touring available to the local masses (expensive COEs notwithstanding). It is fast without the fortissimo, and plush without being pompous.
Suzuki’s samurai, the handsome and wholesome working-class hero that is the Kizashi, stands victorious in this contest.
Suzuki Kizashi 2.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 2393cc
Bore x stroke 92mm x 90mm
Compression ratio 10:1
Max Power 178bhp at 6500rpm
Max Torque 230Nm at 4000rpm
Power to weight 119.9bhp per tonne
Gearbox CVT
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 8.8 seconds
Top Speed 205km/h
Consumption 12km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Yokohama dB Decibel E70
Size 235/45 R18
SAFETY
Airbags 2
Traction Control ABS with ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4650mm
Width 1820mm
Height 1480mm
Wheelbase 2700mm
Kerb Weight 1485kg
Turning Circle 11m
BUYING IT
Price $119,900 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Genuine refinement, real agility, excellent equipment for the price
– Average boot, dynamics more functional than fun, dull engine soundtrack
Mazda 6 2.0 R (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 1999cc
Bore x stroke 87.5mm x 83.1mm
Compression ratio 10:1
Max Power 149bhp at 6500rpm
Max Torque 186Nm at 4000rpm
Power to weight 105.9bhp per tonne
Gearbox 5-speed automatic with manual select
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 11.3 seconds
Top Speed 200km/h
Consumption 11.9km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
Size 215/50 R17
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction Control ABS only
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4755mm
Width 1795mm
Height 1440mm
Wheelbase 2725mm
Kerb Weight 1407kg
Turning Circle 11m
BUYING IT
Price $113,988 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Effective facelift, impressive handling, classy touches here and there
– Slippery steering wheel, limited backseat comfort, optimistic pricing
Mitsubishi Lancer EX GT-S 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 1998cc
Bore x stroke 86mm x 86mm
Compression ratio 10:1
Max Power 155bhp at 6000rpm
Max Torque 199Nm at 4250rpm
Power to weight 111.9bhp per tonne
Gearbox CVT
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 10.5 seconds
Top Speed 200km/h
Consumption 11.8km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Yokohama Advan A10
Size 215/45 R18
SAFETY
Airbags 3
Traction Control ABS with ASC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4570mm
Width 1760mm
Height 1490mm
Wheelbase 2635mm
Kerb Weight 1385kg
Turning Circle 10m
BUYING IT
Price $107,988 incl. COE
Warranty 5 years/100,000km
+ Relative affordability, attractive styling, well-balanced handling
– Cramped driver’s seat, evidence of cost cutting, poor glovebox design
