REVOLVER

EVOLUTION X Words and pictures by Greg Nakano The Body The new body style for the Mitsubishi Evolution X MR takes performance and styling to a whole new level. It is rare when a new body style is released that it is liked by all - until the release of the new Mitsubishi Evolution X MR. The new Evolution is designed to make a performance statement. Some vehicles look the part of being a performance machine, but the new Evo takes the cake. Every part of the exterior is built with performance and function in mind.

From the front, you notice the large front fascia opening which Mitsubishi defines as the "shark nosed" effect. The opening is used to cool both the radiator and front-mounted intercooler. The front end flows with the new sharp, thin front HID headlight design, as the sides of the front fascia flows in to the side of the vehicle where it meets up with the flared front fenders and boxed rear fenders closely resembling that of the Lancer Evolution World Rally Championship cars. As mentioned, the new body style of the Evolution also has reasoning behind it - i.e., aerodynamics. Some of the more key aero improvements: The front bumper's bottom is lowered, the front wheel arch incorporates the air dam and lip, the smoothed, inclined surface of the fender, the side air dam works as an airflow straightener, rear spoiler has been optimized and the angle varies to have maximum efficiency, and even the taillights have a sharp edge - all these improvements are there to decrease drag and lift on the new Evo X. Work under the vehicle was also done to straighten the air and decrease drag and lift while provided cooling for the brakes and transfer case. The hood is optimized with an inlet (NACA duct) to provide cooling to the turbo and outlets were designed to exhaust engine heat as well s decrease lift. All-in-all, the new body and styling of the new Mitsubishi Evolution X has form and function built it to make it one of the best-designed cars in a long time

From the Inside The interior of the new MR has as much refinement as the exterior. The new Recaro seats not only fell as comfortable as sitting in a non-racing seat, but still keep you planted from sliding in the corners. They also now include a side airbag which is the first of its kind in the Evolution models. The steering wheel and shift handle are wrapped in leather to provide a sportier feel.

Metallic trim now highlights the shifter bezel, steering wheel-mounted controls as well as the paddle shifters. The gauge panel sports a dual-hood gauge panel with a large speedometer and tach while in between is the multi information display with a large LCD screen and uses two-tone yellow and red characters to display all the information on the vehicle. The different information displayed ranges from the TC-SST status and S-AWC status, also displays a 16-segment coolant temp with warning, main odometer, trips and a driving computer. The driving computer displays things such as cruising distance with remaining fuel, average speed, average fuel economy and instantaneous fuel economy.

To top it off, the tested MR is upgraded with the technology package, which included a Rockford-Fosgate audio system with sub, SIRIUS satellite radio, a 30 gig hard drive navigation system with a 7.5 inch touch screen and music server, Bluetooth capability for your mobile phone and FAST key entry system. The MR is also equipped with 11 pounds of additional sound insulation. Making this one of the most enjoyable and comfortable sports car available on the market today.

The Power Within

The first all-new Evo engine since its launch over 16 years ago The 4B11 is a 2.0L DOHC twin-scroll turbocharged four cylinder engine, and features a new aluminum die-cast cylinder block with direct-acting valve train in the cylinder head. This new package plus the removal of the balancer shafts reduced the engine weight by 27.5 pounds over the old cast iron 4G63. Some may think that an aluminum cylinder block compromises the strength of the engine. However, the bearing caps are now fastened by four bolts each, a semi-closed deck was designed to reduce deformation of the cylinders, and a ladder structure is used to increase strength. The ladder structure, along with a timing chain and hydraulic engine mounts, reduce the noise and vibration of the engine. Mitsubishi's MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-Timing Electronic Control) has been around over the years. With the new 4B11, however, the MIVEC got an upgrade as well being equipped on both the intake and exhaust sides of the engine. Through the new MIVEC system, a new optimized intake manifold, and new intake and exhaust ports Mitsubishi was able to increase the efficiency of the motor and lower emissions. A new set of injectors and an optimized fuel line pressure improved the atomization of fuel at both the emission and performance side of the engine. As you stare down at the engine, you may notice that the turbocharger is no longer on the front side of the engine. The cylinder head now has a rear exhaust layout and a high-performance metal catalyst for a quicker "light off". New longer reach spark plugs were also designed to be used in the 4B11 increasing the water jacket size around the combustion chamber for better cooling this combined with the new aluminum cylinder block reduced the fire-contact surface temperature by approximately 122 degrees Fahrenheit, in turn reducing the thermal load on the cylinder head. Through these enhancements, plus a new optimally shaped turbo compressor wheel, straight type intake system and a larger diameter exhaust system, Engine response was improved by up to 18 percent over the 4G63. Even a higher efficiency alternator was used on the new 4B11 to increase performance and lower fuel consumption and emissions. The 4B11 now produces 291 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 300 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm - making this engine one of the highest horsepower-to-liter production engines in the world at 145.5 per liter. In summary, the new 4B11 generates more horsepower, increased engine response, lower emissions and increased reliability over the old 4G63.

The Transmission On and off the track, the Mitsubishi Evolution MR's new first-ever automated manual transmission and advanced six-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) makes a bad driver good and a decent driver better on and off the track. The TC-SST is essentially a manual transmission that can select two gears at a time. One gear is engaged by one of the two wet multi-plate clutches, and the other is pre-selected, awaiting to be engaged by the second clutch. Through this upshifts and downshifts can occur in a fraction of a second. Although the time is perceived to be slightly longer, this is so the engine management can blip the throttle to match the engine and transmission speeds. The TC-SST acts like two separate transmissions to accomplish this. The odd and even gears are actually on two different input shafts and linked by a transfer gear. The TC-SST has three different modes of operation normal, sport and s-sport. In the normal mode the transmission shifts well like an automatic, but with a twist the shifts are quick and seamless providing better fuel efficiency than a conventional torque converter automatic. The second mode would be sport mode. In this mode the transmission uses higher shift points and quicker shifting to deliver that sporty feeling of a manual transmission. The last mode is S-Sport Mode which is used for situations like track driving. It's basically the sport mode on steroids. It acts exactly how you would drive on a track holding the revs out higher, downshifting where you want to and upshifting where you want to. This selection is also where the launch control of the vehicle is held. The Mitsubishi Evolution X MR transmission does exactly what you want it to do. Perform like an automatic when you want it to and opens up to a full race transmission at the track.

Handling & Braking The Mitsubishi Evolution X MR is one of the best handling cars I have ever driven on the street stock, while still maintaining comfort for everyday driving. The turn in, body roll, everything about the car screams performance. The X offers 56 percent better torsional rigidity and 50 percent better bending rigidity over the previous IX. This is done through various things one being the use of high-tensile and super high-tensile builds in strength, while the use of aluminum in many parts lowers the weight in others. In the new Evolution, the roof, hood, front fenders and both front and rear bumper beams are aluminum as well a number of key suspension component also reduce unsprung weight. Earlier we mentioned the wider fenders and body line of the new X - this reflects in some dimensions: The wheelbase is one inch longer now at 104.3, and the front and rear track are increased by 1.2 inches to a measurement of 60.8 these are over the older IX model. The new X also uses Mitsubishi's next-generation Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution unibody design. This new highly rigid structure uses a new high-tensile steel not found on earlier models in turn the stiffer structure of the body is reinforced also by additional bracing allowing a more aggressive suspension tuning and still improves ride quality. Some of these enhancements include a unique front strut tower bar, V-Shaped rear seat brace and additional spot welding. Earlier we talked about the new rear mounted turbo system this allowed Mitsubishi to create a new flat front crossmember this new flat crossmember can directly receive lateral loads from the front lower arm. This flat front crossmember is based off the Outlander, although it has been strengthened in many key parts to increase rigidity by 40 percent over the IX and new forged suspension knuckles reduce knuckle twisting caused by varying road surfaces. New hub bearings are also used and provide a 7 percent increase in camber stiffness and 23 percent in lateral stiffness. The MR still uses the MacPherson strut suspension although the struts are replaced with Bilstein shocks and Eibach non-linear springs. The front sway bar has been increased 1 mm over the IX (to bring it to 25 mm) and the rear is also up 1 mm (to 23 mm). Front suspension geometry has also been reworked to provide increased caster angle which equates to more negative camber at higher steering angles. The MR equipped with new 18-inch BBS forged wheels reduce the weight by a little over two pounds and wheel over the cast-alloy wheels on the GSR model and are wrapped with a low profile Yokohama Advan A13C which provide better cornering performance. With the new low profile tires and increased caster trail of 3.1 mm over the IX improves the steering response and turn in of the vehicle.

The rear of the vehicle was not forgotten, receiving numerous changes like the front. Improved joint rigidity in the rear suspension and rear shelf of the vehicle as well as a raised trunk floor to accommodate a straighter crossmember. Through a more rigid crossmember and newer hub bearings the rear camber and toe stiffness was increased by 50 percent. For stopping power the MR uses a Brembo brake system. The front rotor diameter is 13.8-inches, with a four-piston caliper, and the rear is 13 inches, with a two-piston caliper. The MR also uses a new two-piece construction on the brake system to reduce weight by 2.9 pounds per wheel. The brakes also incorporate the S-ABS system, which detects steering inputs, lateral-G and vehicle speed to apportion pressure to the four corners independently to increase steering response while braking. The new suspension and brakes on the new Mitsubishi Evolution X MR make this a true sports car in all ways except for the number of doors it has. I have yet to see anyone come close to it for performance.

Parting Shot With the new improvements in body design for aerodynamics, engine power and reliability, transmission performance and suspension Mitsubishi has built the best four-door performance car out on the market. They have raised the bar so high it almost scares me what they might release next in the Evolution lineup, and what other manufacturers must do to catch up to this performance machine. As I said before, this car will take a bad driver and make them a good driver and for that matter will even take season veterans and give them a run for their money.

SUMMARY JUDGMENT For a single vehicle to be both a daily driver and a true track contender, the new Evolution X MR is practically perfect in every way. Editor's Note: Greg Nakano is the Director of Special Projects at Advanced Engine Management (AEM) For more information about Mitsubishi products, go to www.mitsubishimotors.com  SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicle: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR Price: $32,990 - base GSR $38,290 - base MR $41,535 as tested - MR, with Technology Package (includes Rockford-Fosgate audio system with subwoofer, SIRIUS satellite radio, 30 gigabyte hard drive, navigation system with a 7.5-inch touch screen and music server, and FAST key entry system) EPA estimated fuel economy (city/highway): 17/22 mpg Engine: 4B11 T/C 2.0L MIVEC I4 turbocharged/intercooled, DOHC 16-valve, Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control system (MIVEC) aluminum with multi-point injection Horsepower @ RPM (BHP): 291 @ 6500 Torque @ RPM (lb-ft.): 300 lb.-ft. @ 4400 Transmission: Six-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) automatic with sequential manual sport and super sport modes and available launch control Drive configuration: All-wheel drive Steering: Hydraulic power-assisted rack-and-pinion Suspension: Front MacPherson strut (inverted strut) with forged aluminum control arms, Eibach springs and Bilstein shock absorbers, front stabilizer bar (25 mm) Rear Multi-link with forged aluminum control arms, Eibach springs and Bilstein shock absorbers, rear stabilizer bar (23 mm) Brakes: Front ventilated 13.8 inch disc with 4-piston caliper, two-piece rotor for weight reduction Rear 13-inch ventilated disc with 2-piston caliper Anti-lock brake system: 4 sensor, 4 channel Sports ABS with EBD Wheels and tires Wheel type: BBS® forged aluminum alloy Wheel size: 18 x 8.5 in. 5JJ Tire type: Yokohama ADVAN asymmetrical performance tread P245/40R18 93Y Dimensions Length: 177 inches Width: 71.3 inches Height: 58.3 inches Curb Weight (lbs./kg) GSR MR: 3594/ 1630 Performance 0-60 mph: 5.3 seconds Quarter-mile elapsed time: 13.9 seconds