2008 Mitsubishi Evolution Review | Buyer Guide
More Refined, But Still A Rally Car at Heart
Drivers, who liked the last generation Evolution, may be disappointed with the latest model, at least initially. The current version is more refined—not soft and mushy, but more sophisticated. Gone is the rough-and-ready rally-car feel of the previous Evo. Yet, by every measurable standard, the new Evolution is a better car.
According to Dan Kuhnert, Mitsubishi’s V.P of sales and marketing, the revamped model gives the automaker “the opportunity to expand upon the existing Evolution customer base.” In other words, Mitsubishi wants to appeal to not only the would-be rally driver, but also to a broader audience, including women. To this end, the company has introduced a slick automated manual transmission. More on this later.
Compared to the last Evo, the new car has a broader stance, and a slightly longer wheelbase. Its shark-nose front facia gives it a fearsome look. Although to some, it appeared that Mitsubishi just yanked out most of the grille. On the inside, the Evo looks more polished. The seats (Recaros up front) feature Alcantara suede inserts, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting stitching adds an upscale touch. Keyless entry and start is standard.
Under the hood, the Evo sports a 2.0-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine with variable-valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams. It pumps out 291 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. This motor is more civilized than its raucous predecessor. Power builds smoothly, and comes on strong above 3000 rpm. Sixty can be reached in about five seconds.
Teamed with the turbo is a choice of a five-speed manual in the GSR model, or a six-speed manual-automatic in the MR. This second gearbox is a really a clutchless manual that uses a twin clutch setup to do its job. It offers three different modes for shifting. “Normal” provides crisp, but not jarring, gear changes. “Sport” holds the shifts longer, and “S-Sport” is very aggressive. It’s what you would use, if you were on a track.
Completing the package is Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control. This electronic system ties together all-wheel drive, stability control, yaw-control and anti-locking braking. The upshot of this is that the Evo can distribute power from front to rear, but also from side to side, as driving situations and road conditions dictate.
It’s easy to see that the Evo is loaded with technology, but what’s more important is how does it perform on the road? After driving an MR for a week, I’d say that it drives like a civilized rally car. The automated-manual gearbox was docile in traffic—some might even think that it was a conventional automatic. The ride was firm, and somewhat bouncy, but not harsh like the old Evo.
However, if you switch into the “sport” mode, and go out on a twisty road, the Evo changes personalities. Its rally-car heritage makes it itself known. The engine responds quickly to your right foot. Flick the paddle shifters, and the gear changes are almost instantaneous. The steering is quick and direct. And the grip in the corners is tenacious. This car whips through switchbacks without breaking a sweat.
However, Evos are not cheap. The MR I drove was equipped with the Technology package that included a navigation unit and a Rockford-Fosgate audio system. It had a suggested retail price of $41,515.
Snapshot Review
More Refined
Excellent Power
Terrific Handling
Still A World-Class Performer
