Mitsubishi Evolution MR Part 3: Performance Review

Dr. Bruce Banner was a physicist who got caught up in the blast of a gamma bomb, which transformed him into a raging monster called, The Hulk. Two characters in one, he was a mild mannered guy one minute, and a green beast the next, when he became angry.

Meet the Evolution MR. The automotive equivalent of The Hulk. Ok, so it's not green, but you get the picture.

The Evolution MR has four doors, a trunk, and a dual-clutch gearbox that can play mild mannered "automatic" very convincingly. And with it's Bilstein shocks and light-weight forged wheels, it provides a surprisingly complaint ride. It's quite practical and can be used everyday, for whatever you may need. And if you're able to stay off the boost – good luck with that – it even gets decent mileage. All very "Bruce Banner."

But when you get it to a racetrack and make it angry - look out!

It's at the track that the Evo really shines. Its All Wheel Control four wheel drive system is arguably the most advanced AWD system in the world.

All Wheel Control incorporates data from sensors on it's various sub-systems (Active Yaw Control, Active Center Differential, Active Stability Control, and Sport ABS) and interprets that data via countless algorithms to determine what the driver is trying to do. It then uses those same systems to maximize the car's performance through a particular corner. Steering position sensors, throttle position sensors, yaw rate sensors, etc determine your intended path, and then help you get there. You're really then left with just one job: To steer the car where you want to go. It's simply amazing and has to be experienced to be believed.

But Evos aren't only about handling, they're also about power, and the all new 2 liter, four cylinder, turbocharged engine puts out plenty of it. With 295 hp and 300 lbs/ft. of torque, it is plenty strong, but the seamless delivery lacks the spike of power normally associated with turbo motors. It's more effective, no doubt, because what you're missing is turbo lag, but it's just not as exciting as the Evo 9.

The brakes, however, are even more impressive than those seen on previous Evos. The calipers are once again by Brembo, but this time the MR employs two-piece rotors up front. Along with the power of the brakes themselves, the various electronic systems help inspire confidence by providing the car with great stability under braking. And while you may get them to make some noise after multiple laps of abuse, they never seem to fade.

So how about that SST gearbox? Yet another piece of technology that moves the game forward. The dual clutch transmission can be as smooth as any automatic, and with the flick of a magnesium paddle, nearly as quick or quicker than some of the best sequential manual transmissions from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and BMW.

So what to make of all this technology? Well, no doubt it makes for a quicker and safer car that – when pushed hard - is much more tolerant of mistakes (and hooligan behavior). So it's easier to drive quickly. But I'm afraid that in making the car's performance more accessible, something's been left behind: and that something is total driver involvement (read: adrenalin rush. Ed.).

It's not that it isn't fun to drive, because it is. It's just that all of that technology has made the experience a little bit Playstation-like in that anyone can approach the Evolution's limits and play now, which is good but at the same time, it's bad. The culprit here is a thing we call progress. You see, cars are getting better and better, and this one represents one of those quantum leaps that happen from time to time. It's a milestone car. An automotive first down that moves the chains forward another ten yards.

So the Evolution MR represents a new kind of performance car. One whose performance is accessible and whose price makes it attainable. We can call it progress. But progress has a price. While we end up with better cars, we do so by removing more and more control from the one element that progress cannot control; and that is, the spacer between the seat and the steering wheel.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR

Performance
- Acceleration: Doesn't have quite the punch of the Evo IX
- Handling: Makes you look like a hero
- Braking: Stable on the brakes, with impressive stopping power and zero fade

Design
- Exterior: Great job of masking its econo-car roots - and true to the fantastic Concept X showcar
- Interior: Better than past efforts, but still room for improvement

Utility
- Comfort: Recaros a bit unforgiving, can get tiresome - ride too
- Space: Back seat quite small, trunk ridiculously small

Safety
- Dynamics: Active Yaw Control takes the cake, but ABS and stability control also very good
- Technology: Much stronger body (side impact) with all the usual airbags

Value
- Price: Getting a bit expensive, but still worth it
- Mileage: Turbo loves revs which means it loves fuel as well

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Any Evo guy or gal will have to trade up to the MR
- Fun to spank: Can not be driven quickly without smiling

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / All-wheel drive
Engine: Turbocharged and intercooled, 2.0 liter, inline 4 cylinder
Power (SAE): 295 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque: 300 lbs-ft @ 4000 rpm
Redline: 7000 rpm
Gearbox: Dual-clutch 6 speed
Curb Weight: 3580 lbs.
0-60 mph: 5.2 sec. (with launch control)
1/4 mile: 13.8 sec. (with launch control)
Top Speed: 155 mph
Mileage: 16 city / 22 highway
Base Price: $38,000 (mfg. estimate)
Competitors: Subaru Impreza WRX STI, BMW 135i