Vehicle Overview
Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution performance sedan uses a 291-horsepower turbocharged engine and features a standard all-wheel-drive system that features three selectable modes for various driving conditions. Its main competitor is Subaru’s WRX STI.
New for 2011
For 2011, the Evolution features a retuned exhaust note and enhanced electronics. Much like Ford’s Sync system, Mitsubishi’s new Fuse system enables drivers to call up music from a docked MP3 player. The optional navigation system adds real-time traffic, and a USB port for MP3 players is now standard. Reshuffled trim levels leave last year’s SE and MR Touring trims by the wayside. The features on both, however, are available optionally in the remaining Evolution GSR and MR. Both trims now include standard rear spoilers.
Exterior
Mitsubishi says the Evolution’s nose was inspired by the air intakes on fighter jets. The current Lancer’s forward-leaning stance is already one of the more aggressive shapes among compact cars, and the Evolution looks even more so. Exterior features include:
- Standard grille with dark mesh insert
- Standard 18-inch wheels
- Large spoiler on GSR; smaller lip spoiler on MR
- Aluminum hood, fenders, bumpers and roof
- Optional xenon headlights
- MR model with Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, enhanced brakes and BBS wheels
Interior
The interior looks similar to the regular Lancer’s, except it has heavily bolstered Recaro racing seats. Interior features include:
- Standard automatic climate control, power windows and locks, a six-speaker CD stereo and cruise control
- Standard Fuse multimedia system
- Standard USB port for iPods or other MP3 players
- Standard steering-wheel audio controls
- Optional Rockford Fosgate audio system
- Optional navigation system
- Optional heated leather seats
Under the Hood
The Lancer Evolution’s optional twin-clutch automated manual works much like Volkswagen’s DSG gearbox, with the next gear at hand as soon as the previous gear is released. This is designed to produce lightning-fast shifts, which are performed automatically or with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The transmission offers three shift programs: Normal, Sport and S-Sport. Sport holds lower gears longer and shifts more quickly than Normal, while S-Sport optimizes performance for the racetrack. Mechanical features include:
- 291-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 300 pounds-feet of torque
- GSR has five-speed manual transmission
- MR has six-speed twin-clutch automated manual
- Standard all-wheel-drive system can split power 50/50 (front/rear)
Safety
Standard safety features include:
- Driver’s knee airbag
- Side-impact airbags for the front seats
- Side curtain airbags for both rows of seats
- High-performance Brembo antilock brakes
- Electronic stability system
