Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 2008 - Present

Strolling around the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X you get the feeling of barely contained menace. From the front grill to the rear spoiler the X looks like it means business and given it's rally pedigree that is the case. The body of the latest model is more rounded than previous models and that softening is more than skin deep.

Inside the car it's business as usual. The Recaro sport seats offer a good level of support although are a little puritan when is comes to padding.

Engine changes have concentrated on making the power evenly delivered and distributed in a more manageable way. The turbo lag has been greatly reduced which means that it comes in earlier and less brutally. This may disappoint drivers who like trying to tame wild horses but it makes the car a more sensible road vehicle. This doesn't mean that the power is reduced or in any way compromised, the Evo is still a madman; it's just started to learn some table manners. Sit at traffic lights next to a Ferrari and you'll have enough under your right foot to embarrass them when the lights go green. There are three power outputs 291, 325 and 360 bhp.

The handling of the Evo is set up to transmit the power onto the road and it does this with aplomb. Fitted with computer controlled four-wheel-drive technology the car is able to independently control power distributed to each wheel and correct any loss of traction. The steering is precise and laser focussed with incredible levels of grip on offer. The suspension is slightly softer than earlier models, which does make the car more comfortable on the road, but when pushed can understeer, not something that can be said of earlier models.

The X represents a genuine evolution for the Evo in terms of moving towards a grown up road car. Although I do feel that in Darwinian terms the X would lose a fight with the IX model, because it's less of a beast. Whether this is a good or bad thing will be down to choice.

Leave a comment

Type into the box below