Thoughts on the EVO X
Last Friday I traded in my beloved Corvette for a brand-new 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR (talk about a mouthful!). I havent seen too many of these on the roads in the DC-Metro area. So, I thought I would take a few minutes to write about my experiences with mine so far (keeping in mind that I am still in the break-in period, and so havent yet been able to REALLY wring it out). Thankfully, my wife is the proud owner of an EVO IX MR, so I can speak from some experience about the changes between them.
The EVO X has had a rough start. Despite the bump in power over the IX, the car is heavier. It is also a bit softer. The looks arent as ragged and aggressive as before. Add in the rumours about the MR being slower still, and it is no wonder that everyone has been so concerned. Unfortunately, I cant do much to help the MR. I dont have one, and I havent driven one. BUT, I can shed some light on the GSR, which I will do below.
One thing I keep hearing from people is how much slower the X is compared to the IX. It is true that in a straight line, the EVO X is a few tenths of a second slower than the IX was, but it is hardly slow. A lot of this misconception stems from the difference in the power delivery. In the old IX, once you hit boost you were violently thrown into the back of your seat in a surge of raw power. The X is smoother. The power delivery is more gradual. The trick to remember is: the power is all still there. It still puts you into the back of your seat… it just doesnt crush your internal organs doing it. I dont want you to get the impression, however, that this means that the car will be slower getting to its power band. It wont! The difference is that you start to feel/build up a little earlier than you did with the IX. I know that isnt enough for the tuner crowd though, so I have more good news. A tune and a boost controller alone have been reported as adding anywhere from 50-100whp. This is a very tuner-friendly EVO.
Now lets look at the handling. If you go for a quick spin in an EVO X, it is easy to understand why you think it may not be the same sort of performer in the corners than the IX was. Driving the X, it feels soft. Yes, you read that right, and EVO that feels soft. At least, compared to the IX. The car has just as much grip as ever, I promise you. In fact, most testing seems to indicate that the X is actually FASTER around the corners than the IX was. Plus, unlike the old IX, the EVO X is a bit easier to oversteer. That means some all-wheel drifting is possible if you really want.
The clutch in the X is a huge change. It feels like a normal car’s clutch. It is soft, and forgiving. This took me the longest time to get used to after driving the IX. This is a clutch that you could deal with driving to and from work, even in traffic. Despite that, there are reports of it handling over 300whp without any issues (I’ve even heard rumors of 350 being possible). Mitsubishi really stepped it up here.
My biggest complaint about the car has to be the sound. I love the noise that the engine/exhaust makes… I just wish I could actually hear it. It is FAR too quiet. Again, this makes it a bit more livable for the everyday… but it loses some of the aggressiveness that you expect in a car like this. Maybe once the exhaust has a chance to break-in it will get louder. I will have to follow-up once I’ve got a few more miles on it.
The toys that come with the car are pretty neat too. My GSR has the SSS Package (Sight, Sound, and Spoiler), which includes the 9-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system (with a 650-watt amp and a 10-inch subwoofer) along with the FAST entry system. Basically, the FAST system is one of those keyless deals. I leave my keys in my pocket, and it senses that I have them. I put my hand in the handle and it knows to unlock. I turn the ignition and it starts the car. All without my keys ever leaving my pocket. I REALLY like that. The 6-disc in-dash MP3/CD changer is also nice, though I wish I had been able to get the Navi system. I havent hooked my iPod up to it yet, but considering it just has some standard Aux RCA inputs on the front, that should be a simple proposition as well. I am also enjoying the steering-wheel controlls for the AYC - this is a big improvement over the old placement on the dash. I am a bit bummed that the car does not come with a factory boost gauge. I really think this is a requirement on any turbocharged car.
So far, the EVO X has proven itself to be a very surprising car. It is very comfortable, has lots of cool tech goodies for the geek in me. I can drive this every day, even in DC traffic, without my clutch-leg falling off. When I want to go fast, the car GOES FAST. It has 4 doors. It has all-wheel-drive. I have to be honest… I think this may just be the world’s best compromise car, for the man who wants to go fast and still be just a little bit practical, but without spending all his heard-earned money.
Tags: cars, evolution, mitsubishi, review