2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Review
November 8, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Review
“Mitsubishi have pulled off a remarkable feat. An EVO comfortable enough for the daily commute and still good enough to take on the world’s best performance cars”
- words and photography Anthony Crawford
Thanks to Western Sydney International Dragway
Model Tested:
• 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Twin Clutch Sport Shift Transmission – $70,875 (RRP)
Options:
• Metallic Paint – $350
Driving an EVO, any EVO, can make you feel a little ‘dangerous’. It has a well-deserved reputation as a supercar slayer. In fact, I’d go so far as saying, that high-end sports car drivers tend to avoid eye contact with them, at any cost.
The best analogy I can give you is from a weapons brochure on the Apache Helicopter Gunship. The phrase reads simply “we own the night”. Many might also consider the Mitsubishi Evolution a weapon, and its catch line would read, “we own the tarmac” and they would be right, too.
The EVOs grip levels on the more recent incarnations (VIII, IX and X) are from another world and exceed that of some of the world’s best supercars.
But if you’re still not sold, just Google “EVO Vs Lamborghini” and click the Top Gear/YouTube link, and you will witness an astonishingly uplifting event, not unlike the Russel Crowe movie, “Gladiator”.
Mitsubishi’s Evolution VIII manages to bully a V12 Lamborghini Murcielago into a 180 degrees spin, and effectively wins the race. It’s a remarkable feat made all the more so, given Jeremy Clarkson was driving the EVO and British Touring Car driver, James Kaye was behind the wheel of the Lambo.
But for anyone lucky enough to have driven a recent iteration of Mitsubishi’s finest, it’s probably not surprising at all.
Clarkson is spot on for once. The absurd, if not comical ease, in which the EVO can neutralise a corner, and the sheer velocity the car can carry through that corner, is beyond astonishing, and will leave you thinking you’re the next Lewis Hamilton.
It’s as though an Alien race with no experience whatsoever in building cars, got to work and packaged all this advanced technology into the first thing they saw on the freeway and behold, the Mitsubishi Evolution!
And Evolution is exactly right. While the EVO VIII was a sensation, it was also too hardcore for many. A brutal ride, notchy gearshifts and only five forward speeds, meant a very select and very small market.
Along came the EVO IX with various improvements including an extra cog and a thing called MIVEC (Mitsubishi variable Valve Timing), which made the car faster, smoother and an easier drive than its predecessor.
And while the ride quality was still considered harsh by anyone other than a track day junkie, it was noticeably more compliant than the EVO VIII, especially over speed bumps and those wheel-warping potholes. Was it a twenty-four seven commuter? Not quite, but almost.
As good as the EVO IX was, and let me say, it was astonishing in every department bar the interior, not nearly enough enthusiasts had had the “EVO experience” so while the car had achieved sainthood status, sales were minimal.
In fact, Evolution 1 through IX has chalked up only 120,000 units worldwide, not nearly enough to turn a profit but undoubtedly, one of the best marketing tools in the business.
The bottom line is, Mitsubishi need to sell more EVO’s, so they built the Evolution X in the hope of doing just that.
It’s still a hardcore machine, no doubt about that. But this particular variant, the MR, which I have been driving, has one of those automated manual gearboxes, which can swap ratios quicker, than it would take your left hand to reach the shifter.
It works pretty much the same way as Volkswagen’s DSG gearbox although, Mitsubishi call it a Twin Clutch-Sport Shift Transmission (TC-SST), which was developed by German transmission and drivetrain gurus, Getrag.
What is this X111, 1X crap ?? X11 is a X Window System for GNU :D
XIII, IX is your friend!
Gotta say: great photos.
No other Aussie car review web site (or even the magazines) get close to the quality of these. If they’re not using tiny press photos they’re all arty farty with stupid angles.
Well done!
Anyway, brilliant car. Would be nice if there was an option to tone down the rear spoiler.
It’s getting seriously expensive isn’t it
I love the front end, the back leaves me wanting, no doubt its an awesome car all around, its a real shame we don’t get the even higher output ones the pom’s get.
Oh and this review makes out as if shifting gears is some sort of torturous activities. If you know how to drive a manual properly it is very rewarding. This may cut some tenths of the track, but i’ll take a manual anyday. I just wish mitsubishi didn’t cut the 6 speed manual (which was obviously so the DSG box would be faster then the old outdated 5 speed manual).
Great photos and story – found myself a new wallpaper =)
Everyone seems to forget about the GTA evo available overseas in the EVOVII. Sure it wasnt a gearbox anywhere near in the same ballpark as this one, but it did have a full leather interior and steering wheel shifting~
We didnt get it here but there are a few very quick imported AUTO evo VII’s getting around. Just look out for that GT-A badge.
No doubt this is an awesome car and I don’t doubt any of its credentials. It just doesn’t LOOK like a $70k car to me. I guess that shouldn’t really matter, but I must be getting old.
looks like a normal evo but with the sat nav.
The dark colour tends to “hide” the dated shape of the car.It also doesn’t make the unsightly front completely overbear the car.
I was a bit suprised about the 120,000 units(EVO 1-IX) sold world -wide.That shows such specialised sports cars just don’t sell well at all!.
Good review but no way would I spend $70,000 on a Lancer.
Did you even read the article? Thought not
Quote [Tom]: It’s getting seriously expensive isn’t it?
It’s all relative Tom.. It’s no more expensive than its direct main rival the Impreza WRX STi…. Besides if you bought a standard Lancer VRX and added the other features such as the Recaro Interior; Brembo Premium Brake Package; Eibach/Bilstein Suspension; BBS Wheels; and Rockford Fosgate ICE System either as a factory fitted option or aftermarket it would easily end up costing you more than $70k…. then there’s the engineering work in converting it from FWD to AWD and of course the TC-SST gearbox etc.
So really you actually get more than what you pay for which makes it such good value…. I’d have one in a heartbeat
It should be noted that the Top Gear “EVO Vs Lamborghini” video was a FQ400 (+100KW, Blisten shocks, Aluminum roof etc), not a stock EVO VIII. And yes, they are doing a FQ400 for the EVO X.
Im with you Tom on the manual…………Real Performance cars have clutches!
Woops. Never post before reading the article!
I read with interest on autospeed that as a day to day drive, this car falls well short of what one would expect from a 70k performance car. Its the first review of this car I have read/viewed that states “Left in Normal mode, the Evo is almost undriveable in a sporty manner – the combination of trans lag and turbo lag mean you’ll miss every apex by many, many metres. In terms of response, a well-mapped standard auto – especially one in a current Honda – would walk all over the Evo.
That is why I find it strange that this article states that all you need to do is to stick in D and it becomes a day-to-day driver, yet how can another reviewer make such a polar opposite comment?
Anyway, thats my 2 cents. Give me an Evo VI Tommi Makinen Edition anyday!
“Smokin’R32 Says:
November 8th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Did you even read the article? Thought not ”
No I didn’t read the article – however,you must have been the only one that did judging by your indepth comment ;)
Wheelnut
I agree with you this time :D
I think EVO X MR for 70K+ price is great value.
(Well don’t mention about original price in Japan.)
Well, new GT-R is 16K? more than double price and twice better than EVO MR?
It is true value for money performance car.
Big_End_Bearing, you’re contradicting yourself. This article mention that it is bearable for normal driving, thus selecting D (start-stop traffic).
If you want sproty driving, you have to engage “sports mode” by pushing forward the TC-SST.
Please read the article before posting.
i saw one of these on the street. i just stared at it. and i see it has a DGS gear box. but wait whay does it have a gear stick still?
Nice review guys. I’m not so sure about the idea of a luxury spec Evo (heated seats? a subwoofer? WTF?), but I’m sure its more than fast enough for me. what about the manual though? is it any better?
@Fasthonda: Yeah that was actually directed at rich boy, mustve been a delay with your post appearing. And for the record I did read the article, nicely done..
“power to weight ratio, 7.1kw/kg”
Think, somehow, you got that backwards!
@ 1470KG = 10437 KW would mean being powered by a small nuclear powerplant!
what are the 0-100 & 1/4 mile figures?
Cameron, got that power/weight figure from Mitsu’s own “Lancer Evolution IX” brochure which I kept.
Well done to Car Advice for that article, and special mention for the photos, which are just fantastic! Really the leading car website in that regard…
As for the Evo,it certainly comes across as being very desirable. It’s just a shame that it really is so expensive, I think the Ralliart will become the bigger seller of the two, especially given it’s also got the auto gearbox.
“smokin’R32 Says:
November 9th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
@Fasthonda: Yeah that was actually directed at rich boy, mustve been a delay with your post appearing. And for the record I did read the article, nicely done.. ”
No problemmo :)
Just to add,although I haven’t been kind in past posts regarding the look of the EVO,I certainly don’t doubt it’s performance attributes.
I think it should be 7.1kilos for 1 kw
You took the time to take pics at the strip, so what about some times? Im guessing the times were a little embarassing.
Just a photo shoot Ben, no racing.
Great review, fantastic pics.
Its the 2nd time now that I would go a EVO over an STI (Thought IX was hot).
But that price is little steep…
A VW Passat R36 is cheaper (whilst not same market) – for my requirements I\’d take R36 and bank the change.
good read CA.
I am surprised about the lack of slotted rotors on the brembos.
and I can’t quite see $70K+ in it either.
grab a used VII, IX or even a new VRX = same smile + change.
Ivan, I did read the article. If you had read my article you would have seen the “contradiction” as you called it between CA’s comments on the day-to-day driving of the Evo and the comments from autospeed. I was purely highlighting that the two articles contradicted each other when commenting on the Evo’s every day driving performance when left in “D”. Maybe you should read the autospeed review, its quite interesting and provides a different aspect.
Cheers
Wheelnut…
referencing a VRX Lancer and converting it to a EVO, by adding those features and modifying the drivetrain/chassis is very farfetch… yes it’ll obviously cost 100 grand easily if you account the work required… but its not a good comparo… A more suitable and fairer comparo would be the Ralliart Lancer converted to an EVO class… still the EVO has a different bodyshell, that the rear side fenders are flared to accomodate the wider track….
moral of the story, its completely illogical to buy an inferior “version” and upgrade it to the elite version….
And I think that was your point, but just thought I’d comment on the referencing method.
back on topic this car is gun, thats all I’m gonna say. Yes some cannot justify the 70+K (75K drive away price tag atleast), but if you compare it to some of the Aussie big muscles, its actually decently priced.
Its just so specialized as a race track car, that no matter how much they market it as a daily driver, it cannot be efficiently used as one…. if you live within 10km of work then I can see it as a daily driver, but anything further it’ll definitely add up cost wise, again for the people with extra dough its no issue….
I still rather have the EVO IX or the current STi…or Audi S3 (as this is a better daily driver sports)…
I could never bring myself to spend $75K on a Lancer…
The WRX STi and the EVO are both based on much cheaper base cars, and going by the difference between the Subaru and Mitsu base models, I would pick the STi on that alone. Performance is similar. Looks are subjective, but I reckon the ‘new’ Lancer shape is dating almost as quick as the VT Commodore did.
As an aside, I have found that modern cars that come out looking really good (aforementioned VT Commodore) date really fast. The other side of the coin being the ‘ugly ducklings’ at release (AU Falcon) end up growing on you and ending up being quite good looking by the end of the model run.
Not sure but when you review a performance car would you not reveal the 0-100 kph time and 1/4 mile times? I am baffled by that omission. Guys come on please for street cred the times have to be given and please do not refer to the numbers from the Mitsubishi website… you had the car publsih the figures .. i suspect the Volkswagen R50 maybe quicker……….
My opinion is that a proper sports car should have a proper manual gearbox, in saying that though it seems these twin clutch auto/manuals are the way of the future eg(gtr,evo,911,m3) but I must be getting old because too me i still dont feel as in control or as confident unless its a proper man with a clutch!, thats why my vote would go to the STI plus the sound of the boxer engine is a lot nicer..
Nick: Yeah, the 0-100 and 1/4 mile times would have been nice to see. Maybe some sort of in gear acceleration times.
The in gear acceleration times really show up any turbo lag issues quite well.
Maybe CarAdvice is trying to be like TGAU and not put any detail in their reviews (just kidding guys) :)
Don’t know about Australian Evo X times, but UK Evo X FQ-300 auto and US Evo X GSR manual record 4.7s and 4.8s respectively.
OSU811 … Evo does come in a 5 Speed manual. But the mystery around the acceleraltion times seem to be a really heavy guarded secret in Australia. CA .surely you have the 0-100 kph figures!!
^OSU, It seems a few here still like to use a full manual gearbox aswell. Bloody glad to hear it.
Last time canned the dsg boxes I got flambéed which is why I gave up commenting on them as some are convinced they are the waaavvveee of the future, man!
Contrary to what I said earlier, If it came down to it outside the evo models, I would stick with an STi 6 speeder too.
Btw, these aren’t really proper sports cars as they’re based on 1.4 ton tin topped shopping hacks imo.
“moral of the story, its completely illogical to buy an inferior “version” and upgrade it to the elite version….
And I think that was your point, but just thought I’d comment on the referencing method.”
Its a no brainer, Goes with every car, lets say from a G6 to G6E spending all the optioning to get to a E would cost you more than to buy the E itself.
Now lets imagine Evo XI will have a carbon fibre body… that would be something…