2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR - Long-Term Road Test - Car and Driver
When our long-term Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR arrived in July 2008, we were hit by a wave of sticker shock. At an as-delivered price of $41,515, the Evo exceeded the starting price of a BMW 335i. The Mitsubishi comes with a 291-hp turbocharged engine, a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, and one of the most sophisticated all-wheel-drive systems on the... But a great swath of hard interior plastic and a shortage of amenities such as heated seats made the Evo feel spartan for its price. The Evolution lineup starts at a more reasonable $34,335 in five-speed-manual GSR trim (or $33,710 back in 2008). But we wanted to try the new TC-SST dual-clutch gearbox that is offered only on the MR, which also includes upgrades such as Bilstein... Even though it could stand to be more aggressive off the line—Mitsubishi says the Evo MR has “launch control,” but labeling the lazy clutch engagement as such is a stretch—the car ripped from 0 to 60 mph in 5. 3 seconds when new. Skidpad grip also increased, from a strong 0. 93 g to an astonishing 0. 96, and braking from 70 to 0 mph was consistently impressive, at 158 feet when new and 162 feet in our final test. These numbers earn the Evo true sports-car credentials, and its driver-focused environment backs up that impression with big magnesium shift paddles on the steering column and deep, supportive Recaro seats for the front occupants. Source: www.caranddriver.com
