New Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X review
Author: David Miles
Published: 04 August 2008
There is no question that even in today’s depressed new car market caused by high fuel prices and financial uncertainty, buyers with the money who want a ‘supercar’ will still have one – despite the pressure from the green lobby. The 'mine’s bigger than yours’ brigade is alive and financially well endowed. The new Lancer Evolution X is available in three main trim levels - the GS, GSR and GSR SST (Sports Shift Transmission). The FQ-300 power output model is available with all three trim and specification levels and FQ-330 and FQ-360 are available with GS and GSR but not the GSR SST because of its higher engine power and torque outputs.
GS specification
The GS specification includes a 5-speed manual gearbox and Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC). The S-AWC combines a number of 4WD component systems to enable high-precision control of the drive torque and brakeforce at each wheel, which enhances cornering and stability while increasing safety. These components include Active Centre Differential (ACD), Active Yaw Control (AYC), Active Stability Control (ASC) and Sport ABS. Specification also includes 18inch Enkei alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, Eibach coil springs, Bilstein shock absorbers and Bi-Xenon headlamps with directional Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS). Also there is climate control air conditioning, front and rear side electrically operated windows, power door mirrors, impressive Recaro front seats, Bluetooth hands-free system, CD/Tuner with six speakers and MP3 compatibility, leather sports steering wheel with audio controls, aluminium bonnet, wings, roof and bumper beam, driver, passenger, side and knee airbags, privacy glass, front fog lamps, automatic headlamp and wiper sensors, remote central locking, CAT1 approved alarm and immobiliser and a CAT5 approved tracker system + 1 year’s free subscription.The GSR trim level has additional items such as satellite navigation system, 30GB music server, Rockford Fosgate premium audio – 650watt output, 6 premium speakers + subwoofer, iPod / MP3 auxiliary input port and as comprehensive vehicle data and information system. The Evo X GSR SST benefits from Mitsubishi’s new six-speed Twin Clutch SST (Sports Shift Transmission) gearbox with steering column mounted magnesium paddle shifters.Twin clutch
This transmission puts the odd (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even (2nd, 4th and 6th) gears on separate input shafts, each with its own clutch, and switches between these clutches to produce seamless and lightning-fast gear changes in either fully automatic or manual transmission modes.
A switch located at the base of the gear selector allows the driver to choose between Normal, Sport and Super Sport modes for optimum shifts in a wide variety of situations ranging from urban driving to maintaining a tight line on a winding road.
Because Twin Clutch SST uses clutches rather than a torque converter to transmit power it benefits from improved efficiency and better fuel economy.New turbo engine
The Evolution X bodyshell has a 40 per cent improvement in torsional rigidity over the previous Evo version. Talking of new against old, the Evo X has a totally new aluminium four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged with intercooler engine which is 12kg lighter than the long serving but well liked iron block 2.0-litre unit. My view is the new unit revs much more freely but doesn’t feel as ‘strong’ or as refined as the outgoing iron block.
Developing 295PS, oddly called the FQ-300, and 407Nm (300 lb.ft) of torque in standard form, this new engine utilises continuously variable valve timing technology (MIVEC) on both the intake and exhaust camshafts to develop more power over the full rev range.
As with the previous Evolution models, the Lancer Evolution X is available in a range of power upgraded variants. The FQ-330 (329PS) model utilises a breathing kit and ECU re-map to achieve the additional extra performance. The FQ-360 (359PS) benefits from a further ECU re-map, new fuel pump assembly and additional standard items, such as carbon lip front spoiler, rear vortex down-force diffuser premium leather seats with suede fabric inserts. Sharp muscular styling, bulging wheelarches, low front carbon-fibre spoiler and a rear diffuser between the twin tailpipes and airstream fins on the rear edge of the roof, the Evo X FQ-360 looks fantastic and leaves the Subaru WRX STI standing for style, refinement and performance. No wonder Scooby owners are changing camps to the Evo.
Performance
My test car was the Evo X FQ-360, not because I wanted the biggest most powerful engine, it was just the one available. My own personal view after many years of driving Evos is that the power and torque delivered by the standard 295PS engine is better for everyday use on our busy and winding roads rather than the power upgraded units.
I say this because the difference in performance is marginal. 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds for the FQ-300 and 4.1 second for the FQ-360 and the top speed for all three engines is limited to 155mph. The difference in performance figures is so little but the difference in purchase price figures is huge and definitely not worth it.
An FQ-300 GSR costs £29,999, a FQ-360 GSR costs £37,999, £8,000 more for 70PS extra power and a little over half a second less for the 62mph dash.
But the ‘mine’s bigger/better than yours’ syndrome is alive and well so no doubt those with more money than sense will go for the FQ-360. For our stop-start driving conditions and slow traffic-congested motorways why pay for what cannot be used?
Whichever model is chosen the Evo X owner can be assured of a buying a great handling car. The all-wheel drive grip is immense and the term ‘cornering on rails’ doesn’t even come close as a description. All the transmission’s electronic wizardry works supremely well and even with the various modes switched off the balance and handling predictability of the Evo is so good. I do think the new car misses out by not having a close ratio 6-speed manual gearbox. Only having five ratios means second gear is too high, creating a big power-loss gap between first and second gears, and sixth gear ratio would be better for motorways and traffic free A roads. The gearchange on my test car was quite notchy.
The suspension is, of course, firm and it will rattle the teeth fillings at travelling on poor road surfaces. In town large potholes and manhole covers need to be steered clear of. The steering is very precise but lacks enough feel, the traction is huge and the brakes are really strong.
Economy
Not so impressive is the poor fuel economy, 18 to 25.7mpg on average during my week long test drive and the difference is down to motoring conditions. Hard and fast or stop/start driving gives the lowest figure and 25mpg plus is effortless motorway cruising. Really hard driving will see this model return LESS than 10mpg. Officially the FQ-360 returns 19.9mpg for the combined cycle. The CO2 emissions are 328g/km so it’s £400 in road tax this year and £440 next year. Unfortunately for this amount of fuel consumption the fuel tank is much too small with its 55-litre capacity, so expect around 220 miles between fill-ups. Also not so good is the interior - its looks low-rent. For this sort of money I would have expected a higher quality than the standard Lancer’s plastic trim, the cheap feeling rear seats and flimsy sun visors to name but a few items. The steering column is not even reach adjustable.
As Mitsubishi say they are getting customers for the Evo X from German brands I would have expected the top £38,000 FQ-360 model to be more ‘polished’ quality wise.
MILESTONES
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR FQ-360 Price: £37,999 Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre, four cylinder, petrol, turbocharger with intercooler, 359PS at 6,500rpm, 363lb ft of torque at 3,500rpm, 5-speed manual gearbox, all-wheel drive with active centre differential, active yaw control, active stability control, traction control and sports ABS braking Performance: 155mph (limited), 0-62mph 4.1 seconds, 19.9mpg, CO2 328g/km, VED £40Insurance group: 20 For: Iconic Evo heritage, fast and engaging to drive, awesome grip, handling and control, brilliantly strong fade-free brakes, looks the business Against: GSR FQ-360 model too expensive relative to the GSR FQ-300 version, needs to be more ‘polished’ quality wise, requires reach adjustable steering column, very firm ride, potentially very high fuel consumption with a poor mileage range from a tank of fuel, notchy 5-speed gearchange, needs a 6-speed close ratio gearbox to accommodate the characteristics of the high revving engine.
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