Pros :
- Supercar acceleration.
- Unbelievable grip.
- Mind-blowing price for the performance.
- Seats four of your friends.
- Check out that unique vortex generator on the roof.
Cons :
- Almost Toyota-like build quality - almost.
- Racing seats could get uncomfortable on long drives.
- US-spec models lose some horses compared to Japanese models.
- Sky-high insurance premiums.
- Certain to catch the eye of both cops and criminals.
Interior :
Press Coverage :
When the Lancer Evolution debuted in North America in 2003, it did something extraordinary--it lived up to the hype. Not content to rest on past achievements or awards, Mitsubishi continues to refine one of Japan's most revered - and one of the world's best-handling - competition-derived production cars. Finding room for improvement was no small task, but Mitsubishi came up with the Nurburgring-tested Evolution MR Edition.
The Lancer Evo MR Edition strikes the delicate balance between grace and power. Building on the Lancer Evolution's rally-proven reputation, the MR Edition pushes the performance envelope even further with improvements to the crucial elements that make driving a true pleasure. Engine output was increased, but more power was not the top priority. Although the recent meteoric rise of horsepower figures seems to be the top selling point for many new vehicles, Mitsubishi focused its development efforts on the intricate coordination between engine output and handling performance.
The Evolution MR Edition features several handling- and ride-enhancing features: a lightweight aluminum roof panel (a first for a Japanese production model), designed to lower the center of gravity and reduce the roll moment; jointly developed Bilstein(R) monotube shock absorbers to improve road holding; and new lightweight forged alloy wheels courtesy of BBS(R).
On all Lancer Evolutions, the 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder DOHC intercooled-turbocharged engine is tuned to deliver maximum power over the mid- to high-rev band, generating 286 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. Horsepower also has increased - from 271 to 276 hp, available at 6500 rpm. As an exclusive for the MR Edition, a six-speed transmission makes the power more accessible. The Evolution's AWD system gains an Active Center Differential (ACD) and front limited-slip, which - combined with Sports ABS - creates a more natural, better-mannered driving feel.
Compared to the five-speed Lancer Evolution, the new Lancer Evolution MR Edition is distinguished by the addition of an exclusive new color called Graphite Gray. Named after a carbon compound that implies lightweight and strength, Graphite Gray complements other dark color tones and reflects the Lancer Evolution's extensive use of carbon, aluminum and other high-tech materials. The color also accentuates the model's no-frill functional aesthetics. The outboard faces of the rear-deck spoiler plates use a dark gray finish close to the color of the carbon wing, replacing the body color-keyed treatment on the other colors.
At the trailing edge of the MR Edition's roof, a vortex generator creates small vortices that reduce drag and increase the down force generated by the rear-deck spoiler. The generator vanes are finished in the same dark gray as the outer panels of the spoiler.
The MR Edition is available in four colors: Wicked White, Rally Red, Apex Silver, and Graphite Gray. The Lancer Evolution VIII is not available in gray, but adds Tarmac Black, Lightning Yellow, and one new color: Electric Blue.
The Lancer Evolution's interior presents a clean environment that complements the purposeful, performance-honed exterior design. As a reminder of what's just overhead, the Evolution MR Edition adds an aluminum shift knob; an aluminum and carbon fiber brake lever handle; and aluminum pedals.
The MR Edition's sport meter gauge kit is made up of a three-ring gauge cluster located in the center stack. The gauges display boost, voltage and oil pressure. Another unique feature for the MR Edition: a stainless steel plate embossed with the "Lancer Evolution MR" name badge. As with the trunk lid emblem, the "MR" designation is finished in red to stamp its presence more vividly on the interior.
On all Lancer Evolutions, an ACD indicator is located on the combination meter, inside the tachometer display. The switch itself (Tarmac/Gravel/Snow) is located on the dash just to the left of the steering column. Larger cup holders are added to the console.
For the new MR Edition, Mitsubishi extracted weight from the already lean Evolution without sacrificing strength or durability. In fact, in total 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg) of mass was taken out by replacing steel parts in favor of high-strength aluminum. A lightweight aluminum roof and lightweight, high-strength aluminum door impact bars lower the center of gravity and reduce roll moment. The aluminum impact bars (shared with all Evolutions) account for a reduction of 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) per car, and the MR Edition's aluminum roof saves another 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg). Forged BBS(R) aluminum alloy wheels - each of which weighs 2.76 lbs (1.25 kg) less than the standard Enkei wheels -- mean less unsprung mass, which in turn fully optimizes the quick reflexes of the new specially tuned Bilstein(R) shocks.
The front door side impact bars have been changed from steel to high-strength aluminum, reducing weight nearly 8 lbs (3.5 kg) while providing the same level of impact safety. The new door impact bars are used in the entire Lancer Evolution line, while the aluminum roof is offered only on the MR Edition and RS.
For the 2005 model year, the Lancer Evolution continues to evolve, and the addition of a higher-performance MR Edition model to the Lancer Evolution family is not the only change.
The same engine modifications that help the MR Edition achieve its higher output also make their way into the entire Lancer Evolution lineup, as do the additions of the Active Center Differential and front helical Limited Slip Differential. To moderate input on the drivetrain and reduce the load on the clutch, the engine is set to not climb above 5000 rpm when the car is still or when the clutch pedal is pressed.
As part of Mitsubishi Motors "Best-Backed Car" program, all models are backed by a comprehensive new vehicle limited warranty that covers the vehicle from bumper-to-bumper for five-years/60,000 miles. In addition, the powertrain is covered by a 10-year/100,000 mile limited warranty, while body panels have a seven-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty. The "Best-Backed Car" program also includes 24-hour emergency roadside assistance with free towing to the nearest authorized Mitsubishi retailer for warranty-related repairs for five years/unlimited miles.
Mitsubishi Motors
The moment you get on the throttle, the Evo MR is gone, wasting no time spinning its tires. The front Yokohama Advan tires seem to grab the tarmac first, and as the back end of the car squats, the rear 235/45ZR-17s come into play, immediately slinging the car forward. Redline is marked at 7000 rpm, but the rev limiter doesn't kick in until about 7500, so let the tach needle get into the red, then grab the next gear.
The 2.0-liter inline-4's extra power isn't the only thing that makes this car quicker. Mitsubishi engineers cut its curb weight by nearly 300 lb. This was done by swapping the steel roof for an aluminum one, and installing lightweight BBS 17-in. alloy wheels. The result: a 3085-lb., 5-passenger sedan that goes (and stops) like an Italian exotic.
The car's handling is also much improved. Stickier rubber and a moderately revised suspension system that includes Bilstein shocks at all four corners ensure that the Evo MR is adequately glued to the pavement. Add to this tasty recipe all-wheel drive, a super-fast steering system and Mitsubishi's innovative ACD (Active Center Differential), and you have a car that's about as perfectly balanced as any in the marketplace today.
This car will not understeer. On Mitsubishi's special handling course, I purposely braked late into a hairpin and cranked the steering wheel. Where most other cars — rear-drive included — would push halfway off the track, the Evo MR turned in like magic and kept me on the racing line. Incredible. Through fast sweepers, the car's balance was excellent; however, the rear end does have a tendency to get "light" at high speed. The smoother the better is the operative thought, which goes for most any car, of course, but especially for the Evo MR.
Another great asset of the MR is the new gearbox. Where I was between speeds in the stock Evo, I found the precise gear with the MR, always keeping the engine in its powerband. The gates are a bit close together — I had trouble finding 3rd a couple of times — but overall the gearbox has a nice solid feel.
Road and Track
Like the gearbox, the changes to the MR's chassis tuning are subtle at best and invisible at worst. Mitsubishi's engineers tuned the MR on Germany's grueling Nurburgring test track in hopes of getting the MR dialed in just right. While we applaud the effort, toying with a car that already displays nearly perfect driving dynamics is a risky proposition. That said, when driven back to back with the standard model, we considered the MR a little sharper in transitions and slightly easier to predict at the limit. There were, however, other drivers on the same track who said they still preferred the overall feel of the base model over the MR.
All in attendance agreed that the Evo in either form is one of the most capable and entertaining track cars available today. The learning curve is as short as they come given that the car reacts with quick, predictable movements at every turn. With its fast steering ratio and minimal body roll, lining up the apexes is a point-and-shoot operation — and with so much stick, there's isn't a lot of tail swinging to keep control of. Thrashing the brakes does little to diminish their performance, and even the seats are perfectly formed to hold you in tight.
Edmunds.com
History:
2004-2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII
1,997 cc / 271 hp / 273 lb-ft / 3263 lbs / 0-60 mph 4.8 sec.
All images and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. No part of this website may be reproduced without the explicit permission of the owner of this site.
