German Car Zone

Merc1 · 03-21-2008, 07:51 AM

* Rating:

* On the road price: £27,499 - £31,999
* For : Sheer pace, excellent engine, brilliant semi-auto, now easier to live with
* Against : Stiff ride, interior not a match for German alternatives

Driving
This car is all about performance, and the Evo X delivers incredible pace. It’s available in three power outputs, and even the base 290bhp car accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds. The engine is a gem, but the big news is the availability of a VW DSG-style twin-clutch transmission, called Sport Shift Transmission. Lightning-quick changes make this one of the best semi-autos we have ever tried. The car’s handling is also brilliant. Lots of technology means that grip is super and body roll is kept to a minimum. It’s amazingly surefooted, while the steering provides excellent feedback. Of course, stiff suspension produces a firm ride, but Mitsubishi has got the balance right – it feels composed in day-to-day use, yet remains hardcore enough not to alienate diehard fans.

Marketplace
The 10th incarnation of the legendary Mitsubishi Evo is the car, bosses hope, to be a genuine alternative to BMW's M3. The Japanese model certainly provides plenty of road presence, thanks to a bold nose, flared wheelarches and short overhangs. It’s more subtle than before, though all models still get 18-inch wheels and a rear diffuser incorporating twin exhausts. There are three variants – the FQ-300, FQ-330 and FQ-360, the latter distinguished by its carbonfibre front splitter and ‘shark’s tooth’ spoiler above the rear window. There are also two trims, GS and GSR. Just the single 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine features, in various states of tune, with the option of either a five-speed manual or the SST semi-auto. Rivals include the legendary Subaru Impreza STi.

Owning
The interior, while no match for premium opponents such as the M3 and Audi RS4, offers a far better environment than the Impreza. The soft-touch dash, neat switchgear and three-spoke steering wheel give it a modern feel. It’s just a shame the dashboard looks so much like that in the Outlander compact 4x4. However, the driving position is good, Recaro sports seats are excellent and the practical bodyshell, coupled with a long wheelbase, means there’s lots of space for five and their luggage. Equipment levels are good, too. Prices are competitive and retained values strong – and Mitsubishi has stretched service intervals, from a previously-unacceptable 4,500-mile regime to a much more sensible 12,500-mile schedule. This should help save some money for fearsome fuel and insurance bills!

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X | New Reviews | Car Reviews | Auto Express

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