The 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X GSR
Why It's Special:
Don’t look now but the worldwide love affair with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has reached its tenth, well…evolution. The executives at Mitsubishi have high expectations for this generation as their aim is to have the Evo X appeal to a broader range of customers. Some might say that Evo X has been “softened” to accomplish this, but chuck it into a corner with your foot flat to the floor and even the most die-hard fanboys will not be disappointed.
Sublime handling dynamics are provided by Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) system which includes several key sub-systems. They are: AYC (Active Yaw Control), ACD (Active Center Differential), ASC (Active Stability Control) and of course Sport ABS. AYC continuously varies the torque split between the rear wheels while the ACD varies the torque split between axles. ASC is a general stability control program with the ability to regulate engine power and braking forces on each individual wheel while Sport ABS prevents the wheels from locking and increase braking performance, especially in corners.
Other chassis highlights include BBS forged alloy wheels, Bilstein dampers, Yokohama Advan A13 tires specially developed for the Evo X, Eibachs springs and 2-piece Brembo disc brakes. The net result is a 4-door sedan that generates 0.99G of lateral grip! Good thing that Recaro seats are still standard equipment, as they hold the driver and passenger firmly in place.
Under the Hood:
Many enthusiasts (of which we have several on our team) found themselves a little misty-eyed when the news broke that the legendary 4G63 engine was dropped in favor of something a little newer. Lying under the aluminum hood is the new 4B11T DOHC inline-4, displacing 2.0 liters and featuring an all aluminum construction. Weighing 30 pounds less than its predecessor it cranks out 276 underrated horsepower (dyno testing is showing over 300 horsepower) and 311 lb-ft of torque. This phenomenal power output is, of course, thanks to a Mitsubishi turbocharger boosting 1.63bar of intercooled air. In addition to being lighter the engine is smoother and capable of 7,600rpm, 600 more than the 4G63.
The Verdict:
Another highlight of the Evo X is the new TC-SST (Twin Clutch-Sportronic Shift Transmission), which offers seamless semi-automatic shifting through the use of magnesium paddle shifters. Drivers will find quick up-shifts and smooth downshifts accompanied by perfect “blips” of the throttle for rev-matching. When stuck in traffic jams the driver can switch the TC-SST into fully automatic mode, where it behaves just like a normal fully automatic gearbox. Exterior design is reportedly inspired by both fighter jets and sharks. This is clearly illustrated by the wide and aggressive front end and sleek forward-sloping lines. All of this results in an Evo that is more comfortable, more civilized and just as deadly on the track.
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