2008 EVO MR - FOUR SEASON UPDATE - JUNE 2008

Our affair with a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution continues to run the gamut. One staffer piles on praise for the handling and suspension tuning, then another comes along and complains the car feels like it's falling apart and costs far too much. Though cars like an Evo aren't supposed to be for everyone, the range of comments it elicits is pretty entertaining.

Here's Web producer Evan McCausland, who's spent a lot of time in the Evo and a few nights in our Four Seasons 2010 Nissan GT-R: "I know the Evo MR is still wicked fast and a blast to drive, but what used to feel like neck-snapping acceleration feels rather sedate, now that I've driven the GT-R (and, no, I didn't play with the GT-R's launch control)."

I, too, thought the Evo was starting to feel a bit pedestrian, until I looked at the speedometer and noticed I was going far too fast for a public road. I then scribbled the following in our logbook, "God help us if cars like the Evo start to feel sedate or mundane. Maybe we need to spend some time in a Chevy Aveo to recalibrate our sense of sedate."

Senior editor Joe Lorio explained the Evo best: "Many have complained about the Evo's humble, Lancer origins, but I think that's part of the charm of a car like this. The Evo, and its ilk, are the muscle cars of today. Like those '60s machines based on bare-bones Tempests, Belvederes, and Chevelles, this Mitsubishi spends ALL its money and effort on performance, and nothing, really, on comfort, convenience, or even styling." That formula works for Lorio, but he acknowledges that not everyone will feel the same way: "Will most people prefer a BMW 335i? Absolutely. But I wouldn't want the Evo to become one."

New associate editor Eric Tingwall spent a few nights in the Evo, a car he hadn't driven since he was an intern with us last summer, and he quickly remembered how the tricky throttle/clutch interaction dampens low-speed maneuvers: "It's especially bad when backing out of a parking space. I'd find myself jumping into the car, throwing it into reverse and then nervously feathering the throttle, as it took me forever to back out."

We just dropped the Evo at the dealer awaiting new transmission fluid to see if that improves the response from the transmission while accelerating from a stop. The dealer needed to order transmission fluid. A service rep also questioned our choice to swap the fluid before the 30,000-mile interval specified in the owner's manual, but we assured him the 25,000 miles we have accumulated were anything but easy on the car and fluid. We will know soon whether the fluid makes as big a difference as we've been told to expect.

Base Price: $38,965
As Tested: $41,515

Overview:
Body Style: 4-door sedan
Accommodation: 5 passenger
Construction: Steel unibody

Powertrain:
Engine: DOHC 16-valve turbocharged I-4
Displacement: 2.0 liters
Power: 291 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 300 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch semi-automatic
Drive: All-wheel
Fuel Economy: 17/22/19 (city/highway/combined)

Chassis:
Steering: Power rack-and-pinion
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.27
Turning Circle: 38.7 ft
Suspension, Front: Strut-type, coil spring
Suspension, Rear: Multi-link, coil-spring
Brakes, F/R: Ventilated disc, two-piece rotor/ventilated disc; ABS
Wheels: 18 x 8.5 in BBS forged alloy
Tires: Yokohama ADVAN
Tire size: 245/40YR-18

Measurements:
Headroom F/R: 40.6/36.9 in
Legroom F/R: 42.3/33.3 in
Shoulder room F/R: 54.7/54.3 in
Wheelbase: 104.3 in
Track F/R: 60.8/60.8 in
L x W x H: 177 x 71.3 x 58.3 in
Cargo Capacity: 6.9 cu ft
Weight: 3594 lb
Weight Dist. F/R: 57.4/42.6%
Fuel Capacity: 14.5 gallons
Est. Range: 275 miles
Fuel Grade: 91 octane

Standard Equipment
ABS and ESP
Front, side, side curtain, and knee airbags
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Front and rear limited slip Differentials
Active center differential
Bluetooth handsfree communication
Automatic A/C
Cruise Control
Recaro front sports seats
HID headlights

Options:
Technology Package, $2550
Navigation with 30 GB hard drive
650-watt Rockford-Fosgate 9-speaker sound system with subwoofer
Sirius satellite radio

Test Results:
0-60 MPH: 5.3sec
0-100 MPH: 14.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.1 @ 99 mph
30-70 Passing: 6.3 sec
Speed in Gears: 1) 45; 2) 82; 3) 108; 4) 100; 5) 100 mph
Cornering L/R: 0.97/0.96 g
70-0 Braking: 156 ft
Peak Braking: 1.06

RED BRICK RACING for BRAND's HATCH

WEDNESDAY, 11.30am: Melton motor racing team Redbrick Racing put them in the driving seat for a championship title with another strong showing at Brand's Hatch.

The team, fronted by Tilton driver Robin Duxbury and backed by Melton businesses Tracktive Solutions and Melton Fibreglass, finished first in the Club Pro class in the penultimate round of the Time Attack 09 Series at the former British Grand Prix circuit.

The 34-year-old's best lap time was also good enough to give racers in the professional class a fright, finishing fourth quickest overall.

Robin said: "All went according to plan and we managed to triumph again which was great. And the best news of all was that we were only 0.242 seconds off the top time of the day set by the pro team of Roger Clark Motorsport.

"We can now go into the summer break a bit more relaxed ready for the last round at Snetterton in October."

It is almost miraculous Duxbury is racing at all having broken his neck in two places in an off-road racing accident in 2006.

But he has roared back in his first season back, guiding the Mitsubishi Evolution to previous round victories at Knockhill and Silverstone.

2009 EVO X RS

As I write, I am drinking more than a few Red Bulls - the large size. It's not to get the energy, but to steady my frayed nerves. They say that two negatives make a positive. I'm hoping that the double whammy of my 240 bpm heart rate and 'bullish' nature of the energy drink will slow me down. Three thousand pounds of Mitsu Evo X RS, early mornin' hours and open road add up to the most fun one can have sitting down (erhm, alone).

For a day and a night, Automotives had custody of the red beastie you see here. Motor Sales gave us automotive carte blanche - keys and a full tank of gas, plus permission to drive any way we saw fit - and gave us the all-important gate pass. Now, what would you do if you had access to arguably the fastest four-door in the island and nothing but a 'fare thee well' from those responsible for it? Right. We drove it like we stole it.

Just walking up to this car is an experience. While the new model Lancer is quite aggressive, Evo X turns that aggression into bloodlust. Slit headlights for eyes, huge rear wing, bulging fenders and wheel arch gills; functional air vents for the huge Brembo brake system (13.8-inch front discs, and a whopping 13.0-inch discs for the rear). The blacked out grill makes the car look like it has a symmetrical harelip - in a sinister, positively evil way. Fear's new definition: looking in your rear view on Mandela and seeing this Evo fill your mirror under full song. Be afraid! Be very afraid!

For the number crunchers. The 'Ten' has 240-odd wheel hp, 300 lb ft of twist, a close ratio five speed box, much improved Active Yaw Control (AYC), more than a smattering of aluminium body panels, radio delete, no Recaro seats - but it has A/C.

Mitsubishi wants you to think it is civil. Ha! It even has child-restraint tethers for a child seat, so you can legally carry your infant in a car that is ready to do a buck 40 in the time it takes to open a Red Bull can. In aiming for the best front/rear split, Mitsubishi relegated the battery and some fluid reservoirs - like washer and power steering fluids - to a 'closet' behind the back seat.

The New MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system) equipped 4B11T has the valve control system on both cams, instead of the intake only, circa the old 4G63. In a drive to remove as much friction as possible from the new all-alloy engine, engineers shrouded the water pump impeller to reduce cavitation /drag, resorted to fully floating piston pins and did away with one of the 4G63's weak links - the balance shaft.

Highlights

The cams are also direct acting, eliminating the roller rocker fingers that the old engine had. The crankcase main bearings have five four bolt main caps - as opposed to a crankcase supporting girdle with two bolt mains. Electronic throttle and a rear bolted stainless steel exhaust are some of the highlights of the new engine.

Word on the street is the block is a step up from the old standby. The semi-open deck design has pressed in cast iron sleeves, which add longevity to the short block. Local (Jamaican) tuners are already claiming 400 whp from the stock TD05H152G6-12T turbine, a figure that was previously unheard of from even a wickedly street tuned 4G63 without a turbo upgrade.

On the road, this Evo RS belies its specs. The individual systems coagulate into a symbiotic extension of the driver's thought process. The front wheels seem to be hard wired to your neurons; think about turning, and turning is what you get.

A car trundling ahead of our tester shielded, then uncovered a tyre-busting pothole just metres away. The reaction in a lesser automobile would not have been adequate, and we would be probably changing - and paying for - at least one, maybe two chopped 18" 45 series low-profile tyres. But the preciseness of the steering, coupled with almost no weight transfer, allowed us to negotiate the hazard - and was a portent of things to come.

From a standing start, first is good for 40mph, boost begins spooling in earnest from 2500 rpm and builds all the way to redline; the time between boost onset and the 7000 rpm redline is about one second. Extend the clutch leg, grab second and 70 mph is yours at redline - 100 mph comes up, theoretically (heh, heh) at the top of third gear. The car will do zero to a 100 in about nine secs - with the manners of a family sedan! And without theatrics - no waste gate hiss, no blow-off pop. But the g's don't lie. For the newbie, the acceleration is unholy - and the sound of that engine, between five and seven grand, when the cam phasing occurs - will put the fear of God in mere mortals. Tunnel vision becomes a reality at these levels of acceleration.

And then there's the grip and handling. Other-worldly doesn't do it justice - new adjectives will have to be created, new buzz words coined - the RS handling experience begins where normal sedans fall away. The electronics make a star of mediocre talent; its Super - All-Wheel Control System and Advanced Yaw Control - one of S-AWCS subsystems - balances chassis dynamics on a knife edge, allowing a neutral cornering attitude in even hazardous conditions. Different programmes are available that tune the system to differing road conditions, such as tarmac, gravel and snow.

Babe factor and street cred

Looking through the windshield in this red bullet is akin to looking down the barrel of a rifle. Folks in front of you scurry to get out of the way. Babe factor and street cred are off the scale. The telling thing about this platform is that it can be used as a grocery getter. It does have a bit of a trunk, and will even return 12-13 litres per 100 km around town, if you use fifth gear a lot.

The engine is tractable enough to do this (though those having a penchant for banzai-type runs will easily TRIPLE that figure). Heaven help the soccer mom who decides to set the fastest time to Hi-Lo. Soccer dads, I hear PriceSmart's the cheapest place to buy Red Bull.

2009 EVO is BEST on TRACK

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution may be a one-trick pony, but that one trick is sure to knock the socks of anyone who can appreciate a true sport sedan.

Utter the word ‘Evo’ and any car enthusiast will instantly think of Mitsubishi’s acclaimed sporty compact sedan. More specifically, they’ll conjure up images of a turbocharged car that can be taken to the extreme on race tracks the world over.

Search for a used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The last time we drove the Evo, it was on a track in Quebec - just the kind of place where it’s right at home. We saw just what kind of trick this thoroughbred can pull off in its natural habitat, and it was awe-inspiring. Taking the Evo onto the packed, broken streets of a major downtown city makes a person look at it in a different light altogether.

Autonet’s tester is the upscale MR model, which features, among many other things, Mitsubishi’s fantastic Twin-Clutch Sporttronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST). The only transmission available in the MR, the TC-SST reportedly shifts faster than any driver using a fully manual transmission could.

Interestingly, this is the transmission that is preferable when you think about driving the Evo through stop-and-go rush hour traffic - you can let the car do all of the work and keep your left foot from constantly reaching for a clutch. It’s clear though, that just about everything else about this car proves that it’s best on the track.

The MR also gets, among many other things, infinitely-supportive Recaro seats with suede inserts (great for keeping your body firmly planted during racing manoeuvres but difficult for getting in and out of), HID headlamps (so much better to see the quickly-oncoming road with!), a big ol’ rear spoiler (it spoils the driver’s sightlines, but it is functional), and FAST-key system (no need to put the key in the ignition when you jump in your car to race - take that Porsche and your left-side ignition!).

It’s almost pointless to tweak the different drive settings the Evo MR employs. Changing it from Normal to Sport mode allows for quicker shifts that come at higher RPM, but it’s rare that you’ll be able to use that. And unless you want to burn fuel pointlessly, Super Sport mode is best only when on a race track.

The tightly-tuned suspension can also get old fast. Of course, this is exactly how you want it to feel while you’re ploughing around a corner at insane speeds, but over broken pavement it’s a different story altogether.

Again, this is the more upscale version of the Evolution, and Mitsubishi doesn’t try to hide the fact that this car is meant to take on vehicles from luxury makes like Infiniti and Audi. That said, the Evo MR gets a lot of standard equipment, from the aforementioned FAST-key system, to a wireless Bluetooth phone system, exterior chrome accents on the beltline and grille bezel, leather sprinkled throughout the interior, and fantastic steering wheel paddle shifters. Even with all this stuff, and with this clearly being the most upscale Lancer ever made, it’s still difficult to put this in the same category as any given luxury model.

It’s a lot of money to throw down at once, but the Evo MR isn’t some lame attempt at making a stock race vehicle. It employs cutting-edge technology to make for something that belongs on a track. It looks amazing and has a lot of standard features.

Just don’t expect to feel the magic this car possesses when you’re not on a race track.

2009 RALLY AMERICA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

With the first five rally events of the 2009 Rally America National Championship in the record books already, the top Regional and National rally teams from across the United States and Canada will soon be making their way to the tiny resort village of Newry, Maine for the New England Forest Rally – home to the Sunday River Resort and round #6 of the 9-event Rally America National Championship.

Set for Friday and Saturday, July 17 & 18, 2009, as many as 45 or more top-level rally teams are expected to be competing on some of the fastest gravel and forest roads in the country for top honors at this always-popular rally event.

Sitting atop the Rally America National points championship right now and expected to be competing at this year’s New England Forest Rally is 3-time Rally America Champion and Freestyle Motocross legend Travis Pastrana who drives for Subaru Rally Team USA – the factory-backed rally team based in Colchester, Vermont. Along with his teammates Ken Block, co-founder of DC Shoes USA, and X Games & BMX legend Dave Mirra, the Subaru rally team will be looking for another overall rally victory at this year’s New England Forest Rally.

Also expected at the top of the charts at this year’s event will be Canadian rally Ace Antoine L’Estage along with his Co-Driver and fiance’ Nathalie Richard driving their John Buffum-prepared & Rockstar Energy-backed Mitsubishi Evolution X. A former overall winner of the New England Forest Rally, L’Estage is a very technical driver as well as a multi-time Canadian Rally Champion who can’t be overlooked regarding the overall victory in Maine.

New to this year’s New England Forest Rally will be a large contingent of Regional rally teams from across the Northeastern United Sates and Eastern Canada. These teams will be competing for their share of $15,000 in prize money as the Maine-based rally will be just one of three rally events in the United States that make up the 3-round MaxAttack! Championship for Regional rally teams for 2009 – the other two rally events include Rally Idaho and the Ojibwe Forests Rally in Minnesota.

Although the New England Forest Rally will be contested over two days and 125 plus miles of gravel and forest stages for the National competitors, the Regional rally teams will compete on the very same roads as the National teams, but in two separate 1-day Regional rally events run simultaneously with the National rally.

Friday’s Regional rally will be known at the “Drive Your Future Rally” presented by the National Guard and will be highlighted by a “Super Special” in the town of Mexico, Maine. Taking place at the Mexico Recreational Area located just off Rt. 17 in Mexico, spectators will be have the opportunity to watch their favorite rally driver or team complete an entire gravel rally stage, complete with a jump, from start to finish right in front of them. Fans will also have the chance for an up-close look at the service crews as they take care of their rally cars at the Service Park which will also be based at the Mexico Recreation Area. As a special attraction for fans of all ages, National Guard units from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont will be on hand at the Mexico Recreation Area with a large display of state-of-the-art military vehicles to check out.

On Saturday, July 18, 2009, the rally action moves west along Route 2 to Coos County and the city of Berlin in Northern New Hampshire where rally teams will compete on a series of gravel and forest stages from Berlin north along the Androscoggin River to the sleepy village of Errol and beyond. A number of scenic spectator areas will be available along the competition stages where fans will be able to watch their favorite drivers compete. They will also be treated to a “Super Special” in Berlin on Saturday morning where teams will test their skills on a half-mile course that winds its way in and around the old Berlin paper mill site located on the north side of the city.

Also available throughout the 2-day New England Forest Rally will be a number of spectator buses provided by the Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine. The busses will depart from a variety of locations and take interested spectators out to the designated viewing areas along the rally course. Tickets for the spectator busses can be purchased the day of the event and will cost just $5.00 per person!

Amateur photographers will again have the opportunity to participate in Rally America’s popular photo contest where they can submit their best shots from the New England Forest Rally for a chance to win great prizes – visit www.rally-america.com for all the details.

For ongoing live updates through out the New England Forest Rally or for more information regarding a detailed event schedule, lodging and an on-line Spectator Guide, please visit the official Rally America web site at www.rally-america.com.

Sponsors for this year’s New England Forest Rally include Subaru of America; DC Shoes; Endless Brakes; Exedy Racing Clutches; Q Racing Oil; the Army National Guard; Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine; the Team O’Neil Rally School from Dalton, NH and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Rally car racing is considered the extreme sport of automobile racing and is often described simply as “real cars, real roads, real fast.” This all-season motorsport sees drivers and their co-drivers taking modified road cars to the limit as they achieve blistering speeds over courses that cover more than 100 miles of gravel, dirt or snow-covered roads known as stages.

The 2009 Rally America National Championship series consists of nine exciting events that take place throughout the United States in many different weather and road conditions. Top teams in the Rally America Championship are also invited to compete in ESPN’s Summer X Games, the leading action sports event broadcast live on ABC and ESPN. Eight top teams have already been invited to this August’s contest. Among the marquees typically represented in Rally America events are Subaru, Mitsubishi, Dodge, Ford and Volkswagen.

SPORTS CARS WEEKEND

Whether you drive a cherry ’67 Hemi Charger , built 2009 Mitsubishi Evolution X, or anything inbetween, Saturday June 27th stands to be a great day for sports car enthusiasts. Those who want to take their car out and beat the asphalt a little, the Detroit SCCA is holding their Spring Fling Solo event at the Palace of Auburn Hills and Bakers of Milford is hosting another car show; this time for a great charity.

Bakers of Milford Classics for the Cure Car Show – June 27, Milford Michigan

If you would rather check out some vintage and modern show cars, head to Bakers of Milford for their Classics for the Cure Car Show this Saturday from 10am to 2pm. All proceeds of this event go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, helping to raise funds to help fight breast cancer. Entry for classic cars is $15 at the gate the day of the show, and the first 100 vehicles will receive an event dash plaque. I plan to hit the show to cover it, but if you’re in the area on Saturday, stop by and help support the charity car show. If you haven’t been to Bakers, they do car shows like few other businesses in the Metro area and its well worth the drive from anywhere in Detroit! For pictures of the Michigan F-Body Association event at Bakers, click here!

Detroit Sports Car Club of America June 27 – Palace of Auburn Hills

If you want to test yourself and the abilities of your car, check out the Detroit SCCA site, where you can get full information for their event this Saturday. You don’t need a heavily modified race car to compete either, and if you are not familiar with the SCCA event layout, check out my coverage from the previous event by clicking here (including pictures of some of the competitors). From a Mazda Miata to a Noble M400 to a Ford Lightning, the field is more diverse than any other form of racing with both stock and modified vehicles.

This event was originally to be held at Belle Isle, but was moved to the Palace and rescheduled for this weekend. Registration opens at 8am and if it’s anything like the Belle Isle event, it will fill quickly so if you want to race your car in a safe, confined area, come on out to support the local SCCA group!

EVO's DEBUT in HOLLYWOOD

(OPENPRESS) June 25, 2009 -- Driven by the latest crew of 'Hell Drivers', the Lancer Evolution is the star of the 20 minute stunt driving show, taking place in an all-new purpose built arena.

Featuring breathtaking stunts, precision driving and incredible scenes of exhilarating action, this highly anticipated, multi-million dollar live production cannot be missed.

The perfect combination of brutal force and precise control, the Lancer Evolution has the power and technology to drive any stunt driver to new, exciting, daring, and death-defying heights.

The Hollywood Stunt Driver team features some serious heavy-weights from the world of competitive motorsport including V8 Supercar hero, Warren Luff and renowned champion drifter Eugene Arendsen.

In front of screaming crowds, these Hell Drivers regularly put on a spectacle of blockbusting movie thrills, bringing the glamorous world of Hollywood action film-making to life with the aid of the stunning Lancer Evolution.

Powered by an inter-cooled and turbo charged 2.0-litre DOHC inline four cylinder engine, generating an impressive 217kW of power at 6500 rpm and 336Nm of torque at 3500 rpm, Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution is available with a revolutionary Twin Clutch Sport Shift transmission, super all wheel control system and Brembo brakes.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is available at Mitsubishi Ralliart Dealers nationally.