Schaller Mitsubishi
25 Veterans Drive New Britain, CT 06051Sales: 1-877-602-3968
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If raw performance is your brand of fun, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is serious contender for your hard-earned cash.
By virtue of starting with a Lancer Evo X
MR, you're treated to a 291-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's
as powerful as it is thirsty, mated to a paddle-shifted six-speed
dual-clutch gear box. Together, they drive Mitsubishi's impressive Super
All Wheel Control AWD system through
18-in BBS wheels and Yokohama Advan tires with a set of Brembo brakes to
keep it all under control.
So what about the
Touring model justifies the mark-up over a standard Evo X MR?
According to Mitsubishi, it's the little things that count. Little
things like additional sound-proofing, the first-ever power moonroof on
an Evo, a high-resolution display between the gauges, heated and
leather-wrapped Recaro front seats, heated mirrors, automatic headlights
and wipers and a more subtle rear lip spoiler in place of the big wing
normally found on the MR.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Review edmunds.com
While the process of modifying an otherwise average car for better performance is commonly associated with car owners and aftermarket parts, manufacturers occasionally dabble with their own such projects. One of the more popular cars of this ilk is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
The Evolution (or "Evo") is based on the Lancer compact sedan. The two cars don't have much in common, however. Whereas the regular Lancer is a perfectly adequate economy car that's easy to lose in a parking lot, the pumped-up, flared-fendered Evo is turbocharged, boisterous and ready to lay down rubber on a racetrack.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was originally developed in the early 1990s to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC) racing series and abide by homologation rules. Packing a powerful turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive, the Lancer Evolution quickly became a successful rally car. Early road-going versions of the Evo were originally just meant for the Japanese home market, but this didn't stop the car from developing a cultlike following around the world. Finally, for the 2003 model year, Mitsubishi started importing official road-going Lancer Evolutions to the North American market.
A second stateside generation recently debuted, and with it the Evo has become considerably more stylish than its taxi-like predecessor while continuing to offer impressive performance for the buck. Despite its humble beginnings as an average economy car, the Evo can accelerate and corner with all but the fastest production cars on the market.
Current Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Today's Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, technically known as the Lancer Evolution X, offers a level of performance typically found in European sports cars and sport sedans that cost considerably more. Only a few cars, in and outside of its class, can provide comparable engine power, precision handling and driving intensity. As a bonus, the Evo looks the part of a legitimate high-performance car as well.
The current Evo is available in two trim levels -- GSR and MR. The GSR is intended to attract traditional driving enthusiasts, as it offers more aggressive suspension settings and a slick five-speed manual transmission. The pricier MR features a marginally softer suspension and Mitsubishi's new automated twin-clutch manual transmission, which is operated via paddle shifters and also functions as a traditional automatic when not in manual mode. Mitsubishi has done its homework with this transmission -- it's one of the quickest in the business when you're firing off full-throttle upshifts.
The sole available power plant is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 291 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through an advanced all-wheel-drive system.
In reviews, we've been impressed with the Evo X's sports-carlike handling and responsiveness. Its ability to go around tight corners quickly and securely is rivaled by only a handful of cars on the road today. Acceleration, too, is top-notch, as the Evo can give far more expensive cars a run for their money. Hard-core enthusiasts may find that the new car feels a bit blunted compared to the razor's-edge performance of its predecessor. The trade-off, however, is in refinement, as the Evo X is leaps and bounds ahead of the Evo VI by this measure. Yet it remains one of the most capable cars in existence for the money.