2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Review
21 Aug, 2008
46 Comments 
Shift feel is so exact and so quick that a sharp stab of the perfectly weighted on/off clutch and a brief throw of the wrist sees exact, fast changes in either direction, which is especially comforting when coming in a little hot under brakes.
You’ll need to be on your toes though, drop too many revs and the re-spool, though quick enough, will see a little flattening out in speed, but rest assured, the box is an easy one.
First through fourth are like a traditional close ratio race box offering blistering acceleration out of the corners while fifth feels like a huge leap away, complete overdrive. Perhaps fittingly, the shift pattern placement mirrors this sentiment perfectly.
Combined washer & intercooler spray reservoir and battery are boot mounted
The traction on offer from Mitsubishi’s revised tri-mode (Tarmac - Gravel - Snow) torque vectoring S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) all wheel drive system is just remarkable and in hard corners, especially those with a slight change in camber and/or altitude, you can feel it working underneath you, throwing the torque to where it can best be utilised - the outside wheels.
Not only does this assist the already brilliant turn-in characteristics on offer, but in being able to send drive to any wheel at any time helps maintain mid-corner pace, poise and grip for a quicker exit speed.
Steering feedback is not quite as communicative as you’d expect, but in saying that I don’t think it detracts from the experience at all. The turn-in rate is quicker than I expected though and the chassis ultra-compliant, leading you to wonder just how hard you have to push before it’ll let go, which with sophisticated Active Yaw and Centre Differential electronics and a two stage ESP system is pretty damned hard. Fortunately at this point the tyres will let you know before the worst happens.
You can feel the rear end working double time too, almost as if it’s responding to the orders barked from further forward. The front diff boasts a helical limited slip set up for better lateral torque split and the back shuffles in to place to take up the slack immediately. It’s positively brilliant.
By utilising aluminium in key areas of the Evo’s body, such as the roof panel, front guards and rear spoiler structure, considerable weight savings have been made to help offset the gains acquired in fitting the all wheel drive system. Better still the alloy sections are all higher in the body meaning a lower centre of gravity has been achieved to further assist mid-corner stability.
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(7 votes, average: 4.43 out of 5)
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August 21st, 2008 at 1:34 pm
http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp.....vo_013.jpg
What a Amazing Photograph top marks to the snapper!!!
Oh the Evolution’s great too….
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August 21st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Nice tight pocket rocket. Gone the whole hog with Al panels etc.
Good base to start with. Noticed the road noise on a recent drive in a VRX. Curvy dash means u hit your left or right knee on it at times.
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August 21st, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Why a 5 speed? Especially one with the gear-set the way you described (4 short and long,long 5th).
Same issues with the IX and the VIII.
Dont Mitsubishi have a six speed that can handle that kind of herbs. Pity, cause the styling is awesome (exterior) and the AYC and techno-trickery (having sampled it myself on the track) is damn near perfect.
It’s a GTR for the budget-conscious.
When’s the STi-EVO comparo coming CA?
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August 21st, 2008 at 1:50 pm
It sounds like the complete and utter performance package - almost. There appears to be a lot of grey plastic inside and for this kind of money, I’d be wanting a little more luxury in the materials department.
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August 21st, 2008 at 1:53 pm
fenno the six speed breaks when you start having some fun with the engine, better to have a strong box than a weak box I think. This is one area where Subaru’s indestructible six-speed STi box wins
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August 21st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
but subaru dont have a paddle gear box yet.
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August 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
a flappy paddle gearbox…? Bollox! LOL!
They are some sort of DSG but arent they?
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August 21st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Jeiz, That photo isn’t un-edited. It looks like a HDR image.
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August 21st, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Spot on Jack - for the kind of money being asked you’d want something better than crappy grey plastic interior. Spend a bit extra for a locally built F6 - better interior, more grunt and 6 speed gearbox.
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August 21st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
My thoughts exectly fenno! why do you want an auto gbox in a sports car, nothing beats a good 6 speed proper manual box.. Changing gears with paddles is for lazy people to used to playing computer games and not driving real sports cars!! good on subaru for sticking with an indestructible proper 6 speed manual..
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August 21st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Another great article Matt. I always wanted a GTR Skyline.. But I would consider one of these rockets after reading the article!
Is the “Snow” setting ever going to be used on Aussie Roads?
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August 21st, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Great article CA. And the car - one word - Awesome!
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August 21st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
mmm… i want one! when’s the Ralliart Lancer coming out? can’t wait till you guys compare Evo v Sti v WRX v Ralliart!
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August 21st, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Hm, at least they are offering a manual and an ‘auto-manual’. It’s a good move by Mitsu and will definately grab some increased sales from those looking at an autobox or a faster than lighting gearbox (if you get what I mean).
I do love the look of the evo, though I wished they could have done something to make it look more different - perhaps a better interior or different colours.
Those 2 photos are spectacular. Does car advice have higher resolution pictures of them? Am interested in making some wallpapers!
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August 21st, 2008 at 4:14 pm
It’s a surprise that Mitsubishi can’t come up with a 6 speed box with any strength. Most of the FWD players (except VW/Audi) have that problem with Auto boxes but everyone except Mitsubishi has a 6 speed box for a transverse engine layout that can easily handle 217/366.
No amount of excuse will overcome that poor effort, which in turn has resulted in the engine tune being calibrated for operation in the high rev range at the expense of low range torque. When you only have 4 performance gears that’s what is needed. This would not be liked by a rally driver, who wants (and gets) bags of low end grunt (and 6 or 7 speeds) and doesn’t need 7000rpm+
As for the tools who insist that a real car is manual, and DSG or other automated manual devices are for girls, well they are just plain wrong.
Almost all high performance cars now have sequential clutchless shifting of some kind, V8 supercars, WRC cars, etc.
Other reviewers have commented how noisy this car is on the road, and how cheap the interior feels, and that quite a bit more is required from a car of this price.
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August 21st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I’ve got paddles in mine, which I love (though I play racing games too). Had the short throw six speed, which was excellent, but tired of the clutch in traffic. Problem with the paddles is that you dont know which one is up and which is down if you are going around a tight corner, so maybe not a proposition for serious hard driving, unless mounted on the column and not the wheel.
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August 21st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Nice review!
@Riceboy, I was told November by the Ralliart people, for the Ralliart Lancer (though someone else was told October)…
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August 21st, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I could be wrong but I swear I seen one of these at Gosford NSW yesterday. It was white in color, had the 3 intake vents on the bonnet like in the picture as well as twin exhausts. The car had that brand new look as well & even though I could be mistaken, it definitely looks exactly like the one in the pictures above.
Cheers !
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August 21st, 2008 at 6:49 pm
You almost don’t even have to look at these articles, you can predict what they are going to say.
The Evo has very fast 0-100 times, but how are its tested times like 80-120? I would be interested to see that.
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August 21st, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Where was the test done
laurie
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August 21st, 2008 at 7:16 pm
So is it still better/more fun to buy an old 2001 R34 GTR or get one of these new Evos/STis? Apart from the fact its now a seven year old car.. does it still outgun these in every way? (They’re all about the same price these days too).
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August 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
It may look fast but it still gets flogged by the STI. And just check those el cheapo looking instruments on the dashboard. Talk about poverty pack Lancer ROFLMAO
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August 21st, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Lighbulb - should come down to Vic, there in many dealerships here, sat in a black one the other day before my gf bought her ‘Olympic’ edition vrx.
Trust me though once you take this baby out for a spin, you’ll forget about the cruddy interior, all you need is a good feeling steering wheel, gearknob and seats :P
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August 21st, 2008 at 11:02 pm
It may go well, but still one of the ugliest cars on the road today.
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August 21st, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Still the BEST!.
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August 21st, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Tough Guy @ 8:36PM.
Thanks for your opinion but keep in mind the FACTS at hand that have been produced in multiple media outlets.
The new and dull looking STi has a larger capacity engine therefore a more powerful engine then the superior Evo but thats where the “more” factor ends for the STi.
Lancer is a better overall package and a real drivers car and the STi may be faster in certain conditions ( upto half a second ), like in a straight line but in most other road conditions the Evo embarrasses the STi.
Obviously you havent seen the equally hard internal plastics in the STi have you?.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but stick to the facts, the Evo is the “originator not the Imitator”.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 am
Hi all,
I just got back from a trip where I drove one of these for a week. I’m sorry to say that it was a complete shambles of a car and I still think Mitsubishi has no future.
The steering was clearly connected via a rubber band. The brakes felt so wooden I threw my trust out the window and assumed I’d eventually stop.
The interior material is cheap and nasty. My 405 Mi16, which is falling apart from the inside out has better plastics.
And why oh why does the bloody car beep beep beep beep beep beep beep at me when I get in and out, every time I turn the key, every time I blink, every time I drive up a mountain and the temperature dropped to 3C degrees or less. This happened every 2 minutes, as I went up and down valleys and peaks. Annoying, that it can’t be turned off, even when you turn off the “Beep” setting, which beeps at you to confirm you did it.
The plus sides were the engine. That’s pretty much it. Sadly the sound of the engine was uninspiring as was the droning exhaust note. Sad, really.
I still wouldn’t put my hard earnt on a Mitsubishi. I don’t think they’re any better than their past attempts. For the price, I’d seriously look at better alternatives.
SteveC
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August 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
StevenA, not sure which media outlets you are referring to, however Wheels magazine quoted these two are being neck and neck is so many respects. But at the end Sti came out on top. Not sure why Wheels mag are so far ahead of CA in comparing these two cars!! Come on CA :-)
At any rate, with either car (or an F6 to throw another into the mix) I am certain the driver will have a smile on their dial and that is for certain.
Best to drive all three, on a nice wet day, and make an informed decision based on one’s own personal preference. It will be the right descision any which way.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
The reason wheels voted the sti over the evo is simple, even although these are sports cars, some people actually need to drive them day to day aswell. thats where the sti is much better, in ride comfort low down torque, and less road noise. And it has a better 6 speed gbox and the sound of a boxer engine.Yet is also quicker in a straight line and evenly matched round corners.. NO CAMPARISON REALLY..
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August 22nd, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Very fast and great handling/grip however,the dated looks and cheap looking interior-just don’t do it for me.
I’m sure it will be a hit with the enthusiasts.
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August 23rd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Fenno the EVO IX did come with the 6 speed (be nice if people could get their details right). The EVO VIII came with the 5 speed which is now used again in the base EVO model (known as the GSR in Japan). The housing is exactly the same with both gearboxes just that the 6 speed reduces physical gear sizes (to fit the 6th gear) and this leads to reduction in strength. So yes the 5 speed is a much tougher box (close to indestructible) compared to the 6 speed. A lot of the track EVO IX are retrofitted with the 5 speed anyway and it doesn’t seem to hurt their times or speed. So 6 speed is not always necessary as market hype may have you believe. Especially for city driving speeds you’ll hardly get out of 3rd or 4th in a car like this.
Alborz despite urban myth very few 6 speeds have actually let go. MRT who do a lot of work with EVO’s have yet to have a customer actually blow one up. Most guys I know who have changed their boxes to the 5 speed units in their EVO IX have done so out of precaution after serious modifying not because their 6 speed has let go. I’ve seen some serious HP with others who are still using the 6 speed also. It is not as strong as the 5 speed but not quite as weak as anything Subaru’s offers including the STi box. With all due respect you might have a decent site and own an STi but to claim the boxes are strong? You don’t know what you are talking about. The weakest link is the box in any Subby weather it’s an STi or not. I suggest you get out to the track more and talk to both STi and EVO owners (I’m talking drag strip where these boxes are really tested). Making these claims makes you sound like you really don’t know much about cars or what you are talking about.
“Subaru’s indestructible six-speed”
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August 23rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
“Subaru’s indestructible six-speed”
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August 23rd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
“Subaru’s indestructible six-speed” You’re not serious when you say that are you?
Also this shows how much your readers know as no one has commented on this. But it’s claimed the car tested has the “performance Pack” fitted? Well unless you’ve been telling porkys and the car shown isn’t the one you have tested. The car pictured does not have the Performance Pack fitted. I suggest you take a look at an EVO X with the performance pack or look at the MR model which comes with performance pack as standard. Those wheels on the car pictured are not the BBS lightweight wheels which come with the performance pack. They are the standard Enkei wheels. If you want to be taken seriously it’s details like that you need to get right.
Other than that it wasn’t a bad read.
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August 24th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
John. Apart from the fact that you sound like a bit of a dip stick, the article categorically states the Evo tested was the based model and that the ‘Performance’ pack is ‘optional’. Get your comprehension skills retested.
Re the Sti gearbox - you dont know wtf you are talking about.
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August 26th, 2008 at 5:33 am
DB9 - HA!
The Sti to me, looks like a car that will look newer for longer.
Not really into the 80’s look of the lancer. There, I said it.
And for those people that dont rate the ’08’s. You are either
a)kidding
b)havent seen one in real life, or
c)reckon that awesome, boxy looking rally cars suck.
The interior of the STi also is real nice in real life (the seast!) and the plastics arent that bad at all.. Better than the evo (lancer)
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August 26th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Nice review. The interior still lets it down. Go Subi!!!
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August 28th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Gr8 article ! I would like to have one ..
Cheers !!!
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August 30th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
60 000 :-o not including dealer delievery taxes registration blah blah blah and the auto another 5 thousand so 70 000 for a 4 cyclinder and for something that looks similar to a lancer 25 000 dollar car and the exact same interior as the lancer except for a gps that doesn’t look like it belongs there in the first place and a whole bunch of leather everywhere AND a mitsubishi its only a mitsubishi lol such a rip it doesn’t matter how much turbo or gears or technology you put a v6 will always run better and will always have that feeling of power and push
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August 31st, 2008 at 12:01 am
i just can’t get myself to like the rear end! it’s a shame because i recon the front end is gold! it looks mean, and purposful.
loved the 9’s style, the X is almost there. the evo 11 will be gold i recon.
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September 4th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Iam an owner of a 07 and have had nothing but trouble with Mitsubishi I wanted to upgrade to this new Evo but it was going to set me back $60K for an ugly little car that would prob fall apart just like mine (it looks pretty much like a lancer!?)…each to their own I guess but thats what happened to me…Im not a complainer its just good to hear all the info plus when I was thinking of buying one I couldnt even pick the colour I wanted because certian dealers only get certian numbers and colours :(
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September 4th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Btw I meant a ES Lancer…
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September 8th, 2008 at 12:49 am
OOPS.. I meant to say the “Impreza WRX got obese and pregnant.”
Damn, I wish this forum had an EDIT button. LOL
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September 15th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Evo is definitely better looking than the STi. In truth, it looks similar to VRX model however… I want more differentiation for my hard earned. I still want one but would probably pay for a custom makeover around the console. And I’d go the performance pack SST. And I’d want the exhaust note improved too.
Otherwise, the BMW 135i has my eye on it.
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September 26th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Do people really think the STI interior is better than the evo’s? Even after viewing Jeremy Clarkson’s opinion about it in the comparison video. Each to their won I suppose. I still can’t believe Mitsubishi give a 5/10 year warranty for this car.
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October 31st, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Most of the people who submitted comments here are Subaru WRX STi fanboy. Like flying high..who actually defended STi to the dead in the WRX STi review. So many WRX people here just yap about their biased opinion..gosh…stop wasting space unless you guys have something good to talk about instead of just saying viva STi…..
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November 11th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Those 2 photos are incredible now that we call a new technology.
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