2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS - OE Review

by CAE, Dec 01, 2007

Using all this technology through the MMCS might seem overwhelming, but the menu system is fairly straightforward. The buttons flanking the monitor gain you access to the corresponding category where commands are then chosen via the touchscreen. From there, you usually don't have to select from more than one or two sub menus to access adjustments.

Aural CheckSince media vehicles have a tendency to arrive with the tone controls boosted, I pecked through the menu to verify that the selections were set neutral before I began my listen. While doing this, I noted that there is both a Sound Field menu and Music Type menu that allows you to select between DSP modes; and, in the Audio Control menu, there's an adjustment labeled "Punch Level." The latter adjusts the level of the subwoofer's output, while general controls (bass, mid, treble) affect the overall system. I like the idea of a factory system having this feature, but it's almost defunct being buried three menus deep.

With the "Punch Level" set appropriately, I found the system's tonal balance to be reasonably good. The vocals of Diana Krall were fairly smooth, but did exhibit a tad bit of roughness when the volume was cranked. And, yet that was acceptable. What I found offensive was the inadequate vibration control that allowed the low frequencies of the standup bass in Krall's tracks to get the door panels, rear deck and even sunroof cover buzzing. Stiffer, better quality plastics would certainly remedy this.

With the contemporary style of Kirk Whalum, the bass impact from the percussion instruments was good and forceful, but the high end was a bit bright and corrosive to some of his recordings. This seemed to leave the system with side bias when the high frequencies erupt from the soundstage.

Bass was good and had nice separation when there was a sure left and right, as with the wood drums in Ziggy Marley's "Gone Away." Attack was decent and there was good extension down low - no doubt a product of having a 10" sub over a smaller format driver. And, while bass blended well (at my initial setting), adjusting the "Punch Level" up just one notch resulted in the subwoofer's location becoming apparent.

System integrity was rather notable, but did crap out when pushed to its limits playing the distortion-heavy guitars of Staind. I also found the system gets to a decent volume level, but nothing the aftermarket would consider acceptable.

Overall, I was rather impressed with the offerings found in this relatively inexpensive vehicle. Mitsubishi's MMCS is a nice piece of technology with some cool features that the aftermarket isn't capable of providing at the moment. On the other hand, the $1,500 required to get you the factory-offered Rockford Fosgate equipment is a bit expensive. Spend the dough at your local audio retailer, and even if it's on Rockford Fosgate gear, you'll be far happier.

To complement its new digs, the interior landscape of the Lancer supports its sport sedan prowess with clean, simple lines that make sense. Panel gaps are relatively a tight fit, yet the plastic quality and integrity was questionable - as I found out later. Drivers will like the view and feature access of the Lancer's uncluttered dash that flaunts only the HVAC controls and the source unit in the center stack.

Capitalizing on brand-name audio is big these days, and you don't have to look far to see that Mitsu is using a respected moniker to help market this vehicle. Encrusted in the dash above the source unit is a Rockford Fosgate emblem, while the 1" tweeters in the sail panels of the front door have the RF logo embossed within the surrounding silver trim. Pop the trunk and RF is branded again, this time on a 10" subwoofer system bolted to the inside of the left rear quarter panel. The rest of the speakers - 6.5" woofers in the front and 6.5" coaxial in the rear doors - are discreetly mounted behind plastic grilles. This system is part of the $1,500 Sun & Sound package, which also includes power sunroof, Sirius Satellite Radio, auxiliary input and 650 watts of Rockford Fosgate Punch amplification.

Opt for the $2,000 Navigation and Technology package, as equipped in our tester, and you're greeted with some welcome features like the FAST-key entry system and the Mitsubishi Multi Communication System (MMCS). The MMCS consists of a 30GB HDD navigation system complete with an AM/FM tuner and CD/DVD player, 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth and Digital Music Server that allows you to rip music media to the hard drive. And yet, the MMCS is vastly more than that. Like many upscale vehicles, it uses integrated communication tools to inform the driver of an array of information from the vehicle like fuel economy and average driving speed, as well as outboard environmental information (temperature, barometer, altimeter, etc.), electronic maintenance schedule, calendar and air conditioner settings. As if that weren't enough, the MMCS uses Mitsu's ETACS system that allows its user to set preferences to all of the vehicle's electronic devices, such as the wipers, alarm system, door locks and interior lights. For a vehicle that's roughly $22,000 fully decked out, its feature-rich set is certainly impressive.