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Honest John Reviews Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Evo X (2008 – 2014) Review

Mitsubishi Evo X (2008 – 2014) At A Glance

4/5

+Same extraordinary performance in more civilised package, available with an SST twin clutch paddleshift 'automatic', improved ride and refinement.

-SST can sometimes bog down pulling out of slow corners, manual is now a five-speed rather than a six-speed, doesn't feel as raw as the Evo IX.

Insurance Groups are between 42–44
On average it achieves 85% of the official MPG figure

Reviews for Mitsubishi Evo X (2008 – 2014)'s top 3 rivals

Subaru Impreza
2/5
Very quick and controllable.
Ford Focus
4/5
Ferocious acceleration. Meaty steering. 163mph and 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds.
Volkswagen Golf
4/5
Quick, surefooted and well equipped.

Mitsubishi Evo X (2008 – 2014) handling and engines

This is a test of many cars. Before, in the UK, we got Australian built Lancers that were sensibly priced Focus size cars. And a series of Japanese built hotshot EVOs, all based on entirely different, but ageing Lancer saloons.

The EVOs had fairly explosive performance and culminated in something called the FQ 400 that was almost too quick for its own good. A 400bhp four-wheel drive 2.0-litre roadgoing saloon was taking evolution about as far as it could go.

But now the line between Lancers and EVOs is far less distinct. Like the old car, the new Lancer is a four-door saloon, but its a bit bigger and heavier and in the summer will be joined by a five-door sportback.

The range will start with a 1.5 litre five-door Sportback at £12,499. And immediately does start with a 1.8 litre four-door saloon, in three trim levels, and the option of a six selectable ratio CVT automatic. Biggest normal engine is a 2.0 litre 140PS pumpe duse diesel, bought in from VW and bolted to a 6-speed manual.

Then things start to get interesting. Because topping the normal Lancer range will be a 240PS four-wheel drive Ralliart Sportback loaded with a lot of EVO features including Active Yaw Control and an Active Centre diff. It will also have an aluminium bonnet with snouts, Recaro seats and Mitsubishis new twin-shaft twin-clutch SST transmission, which is pretty much the same thing as VAGs DSG and Ford/Getrags forthcoming Powershift. So there will be a warm four wheel drive Lancer automatic to start nipping at the rear skirts of Audi quattros.

Moving swiftly on to the EVO X, this comes with three power outputs: FQ300, FQ330 and FQ360. All have five-speed rather than six-speed manual gearboxes, and the FQ300 has the option of the same twin-cutch SST as the Ralliart.

I got to drive the diesel, the 1.8 manual, the 1.8CVT, the FQ330 manual and the FQ300 SST.

Lets start with the FQ330. Not masses to report because it and the 1.8 manual were all on skidpans to check out the effectiveness of the traction control systems. On the EVOs you have three levels: all on, half on, or all off. To get it half on you press the button twice. To get it off completely you have to press the button and hold it for five seconds. It reverts to all on whenever you switch off the ignition and re-start.

Basically all on comes down like a big wet comfort blanket and as soon as the car starts to slide it cuts power and applies brakes to try to sort things out for you. Half on, you get a lot more latitude, so its enough to have some fun before stepping in and saving your life at the last second. All off, the car will slide as nature and physics originally intended.

The front drive Lancer gets a simplified form of this. Either off or on, but with only front wheel drive its best left on.

Next, because the EVOs had yet to be Type Approved and we couldnt take them on the road, we got some track time in the FQ300 SST. As with the traction control, there are three settings, in this case Normal, Sport, and Supersport. You can shift to Sport on the fly, but to prevent you picking Supersport inadvertently, you have to stop and hold the switch for five seconds to select it. You also have steering wheel paddleshifts to select the six gears, or a forwards down, backward up conventional shifter.

In quick and moderate corners its simply best not to fiddle. The box will make good decisions and leave to get on with the business of steering and throttle control. But in slow corners, in Sport, it bogs down. In Supersport it doesnt, and hangs on to all the gears for longer, so for track day fun that is the only setting to use.

The last bit of track we got onto was one used for training rally drivers. A maze of adverse cambers, changing surfaces and very tight corners. All 2nd and 3rd gear, no more, and necessary to use the paddles. Except on this car, really pushing hard, it wouldnt always let you have 2nd when you needed it. Not for me. And not for the rally driver who took us round a lot quicker. Probably the electronics protecting the clutches and cogs from hard downshifts. But this was a very extreme type of driving that you wouldnt try on the road unless you were sure that nothing was coming and no one was looking. The main point of the SST is to offer an automatic EVO, the lack of which, in the past has kept customers out of Mitsubishi showrooms.

Now they can come and buy their ideal dual-purpose car. A lazy, reasonably refined, well-equipped cruiser when they want it to be. And a hooligan when they dont. Audi quattro Tiptronics and DSGs at last have a serious competitor.

Enthusiasts can stop reading here. Because at the end of the day I took the Lancer diesel and the 1.8CVT on a 15 mile road route.

The old VAG 2.0 litre TDI 140 is its usual clattery self at first. But theyve altered the mapping slightly to give it a bit more low down torque and Im pleased to say that this now available from around 1,500rpm in 6th, which is geared more like 33-34mph per 1,000rpm rather than the usual 35-36. It actually handles very well indeed for an ordinary front-drive diesel saloon, pitching itself up as a competitor to the likes of the Mazda 3 2.0 diesel Sport and the VW Jetta TDI 140, which has the same engine. The boot isnt quite as cavernous as the Jettas though.

The CVT whirrs like a foodmixer left to its own devices. But it can be manually controlled and curiously by a lever that, unlike the EVO SSTs, works back to front. However, you arent going to be developing the same physical forces on your body in the rather sedate CVT, so that doesnt matter too much. It is much better controlled manually and, like the diesel, is a decent handling standard saloon car with a very well tried and tested CVT transmission that has sold by the hundreds of thousands in the Far East.

None of the cars have reach adjustable steering wheels, which seems a strange omission these days. The boot is a bit slot-like and nothing like as big as a Jettas. And as soon as you go to big wheels you get an inflator and a bottle of glop rather than a spare wheel.

But by Summer the Lancer will have grown into such a big range of cars it will offer something for almost everyone looking for a mid-size car.

From a 110PS vicarage spec 1.5 at £12,499 to a fire-breathing boy (or girl) racers 359PS EVO at more than three times the price.

Engine MPG 0-62 CO2
EVO X FQ-300 27 mpg 4.7 s 246 g/km
EVO X FQ-300 SST 26 mpg 4.7 s 256 g/km
EVO X FQ-330 25 mpg 4.4 s 257 g/km
EVO X FQ-330 SST - 4.4 s 256 g/km
EVO X FQ-360 20 mpg 4.1 s 328 g/km
EVO X FQ-400 - 3.8 s 328 g/km

Real MPG average for the Mitsubishi Evo X (2008 – 2014)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

85%

Real MPG

16–28 mpg

MPGs submitted

38

Mitsubishi Evo X (2008 – 2014) models and specs

Dimensions
Length 4495 mm
Width 1810 mm
Height 1480 mm
Wheelbase 2650 mm
Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight 1560–1590 kg
Boot Space 400 L
Warranty 3 years
Servicing 10000 miles
Costs
List Price £25,499–£50,799
Insurance Groups 42–44
Road Tax Bands L–M
Official MPG 19.9–27.4 mpg
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult -
Child -
Pedestrian -
Overall -

On sale until September 2012

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
FQ-300 GSR SST 4dr Auto £31,349 26.2 mpg 4.7 s

On sale until June 2012

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
FQ-360 GSR 4dr £38,559 19.9 mpg 4.1 s

On sale until December 2011

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
FQ-330 GSR SST 4dr £33,699 - 4.4 s

On sale until November 2010

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
FQ-300 GS 4dr £25,499 27.4 mpg 4.7 s
FQ-300 GSR 4dr £27,999 27.4 mpg 4.7 s
FQ-330 GSR 4dr £30,999 25.4 mpg 4.4 s

On sale until July 2010

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
FQ-400 £50,799 - 3.8 s

On sale until December 2009

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
FQ-330 GS £33,299 25.4 mpg 4.4 s
FQ-360 GS £38,299 19.9 mpg 4.1 s

Model History

January 2008

All-new Mitsubishi Evo X launched

Bigger, heavier Evo in all-new Lancer body 40% stiffer than Evo lX. Modern cabin and dash (at least) with optional satnav. 5-speed manual or optional twin clutch 6-speed DSG type automated manual called TC-SST, withs teering wheel paddleshifts. New aluminium block 2.0 turbo engine, standard output 280PS at 6,500rpm and 311 lb ft torque at 3,500rpm. 18" alloy wheels with 245/R18 Yokohama Advan A13 tyres. Top speed limited to 150. 0-60 5.0 seconds.

Engine

  • Lancer Evolution X is powered by a new turbocharged engine that adds a high-performance turbocharger to the 4B11-type 2.0-liter 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC MIVEC unit used in the Galant Fortis. Developing more power over the full rev range, this engine generates more torque at 422 Nm (43.0 kg-m)/3500 rpm and has better response than its 4G63 predecessor. The new engine is also lighter and returns better environmental performance.
  • The application of continuously variable valve timing technology (MIVEC) to both intake and exhaust camshafts realizes valve timing optimally matched to engine speed and load to stabilize combustion characteristics and allow the engine to develop more power over the full rev range. It also improves emissions performance. Lancer Evolution X earns a 3-star rating for emissions that are 50% under the Japanese 2005 Emissions Standards levels.
  • The new engine, excluding auxiliary equipment, is 12 kg lighter than the 4G63 thanks to the use of a die-cast aluminum cylinder block, head cover and chain case.
  • Using a titanium-aluminum alloy turbine wheel and aluminum alloy compressor wheel, the turbocharger features a shape-optimized compressor wheel that improves boost response and increases low-end and mid-range torque.
  • The adoption of a rearward facing exhaust manifold layout has, as well as improving exhaust efficiency, allowed the engine to be mounted lower, lowering the center of gravity. Other innovations have reduced intake/exhaust system losses and valvetrain friction, contributing to improved engine performance.

Transmission

  • The GSR is available with the new Twin Clutch SST 6-speed automated manual transmission that eliminates the need for a clutch pedal and provides slick, smooth shifting. Twin Clutch SST puts odd (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even (2nd, 4th and 6th) gears on separate input shafts each with its own clutch and, through tight cooperative control with the engine, switches between these clutches to realize seamless and lightning-fast shifting for feel-good acceleration. Because it uses clutches rather than a torque converter to transmit power, Twin Clutch SST allows superior power transmission efficiency with little loss of motive power and returns excellent fuel economy. Twin Clutch SST allows the driver to choose between Autoshift fully automatic shifting and Manual Shift, where the driver can change gears as with a manual transmission. A toggle switch located at the base of the shift selector allows the driver to choose between Normal, Sport and Super Sport modes for the optimum shift scheduling for a wide variety of situations ranging from driving around town to tracing a tight line on a winding road.
  • Twin Clutch SST models are fitted as standard with steering column-mounted lightweight magnesium paddle shifters that allow the driver to shift manually without taking his hand off the steering wheel.
  • For drivers who enjoy having more direct control over their machine, the GSR is available with a new 5-speed manual transmission. (The RS is only available with this manual gearbox.) Benefiting from the know-how Mitsubishi Motors has accumulated in the motorsport arena the new manual gearbox features a greater torque capacity to handle the higher torque generated by the new turbocharged engine without growing in size. First to fourth gears use close ratios. 1st gear uses a lower ratio than previously for better standing acceleration while 5th gear uses a higher ratio for more comfortable high-speed cruising. The new transmission uses multi-cone synchronizer rings on all gears for smoother shifting and a more positive shift feel as well as for improved durability.


20-05-2009: Range extended Lancer Evolution FQ-330 SST adds 36 bhp and 22 lb ft torque to the Sports Shift Transmission line-up. The FQ-330 SST model utilises a breathing kit and ECU re-map to accomplish its enhanced power output, and has been systematically tested over the past 6 months to achieve successful results. This power upgrade noticeably improves not only the acceleration, but also significantly enhances the drive.

The power upgrade to 329 bhp is achieved by the addition of a high performance exhaust and downpipe, an intercooler piping kit, racing suction pipe, and upgraded CAT, which delivers an additional 36 bhp and 22 lb ft of torque mated to the advanced 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sports Shift Transmission.

  • FQ-300 SST: 217kW (295bhp) at 6500rpm, 407Nm (300lb ft) at 3500rpm, 0-60 4.5 secs, top speed 155mph (limited), £32,999
  • FQ-330 SST: 242kW (329bhp) at 6500, 437Nm (322lb ft) at 3500rpm, 0-60 4.2 secs, top speed 155mph (limited), £35,999

The Lancer Evolution X FQ-330 SST includes the following standard equipment:

  • Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC)
  • 18” Enkei alloy wheels
  • Brembo braking system, including 2-piece front brakes
  • Eibach coil springs
  • Bilstein shock absorbers
  • HID xenon headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
  • Recaro front seats
  • Bluetooth hands-free system
  • Leather sports steering wheel with audio controls
  • Front, side, curtain and knee airbags
  • Privacy glass
  • Front fog lamps
  • ISO Fix
  • Automatic headlamp and wiper sensors
  • Remote central locking
  • CAT1 approved alarm/immobiliser
  • CAT5 approved tracker system + 1 year free subscription
  • HDD satellite navigation system
  • Rockford premium audio & Music Server – 6 premium speakers + subwoofer
  • iPod/MP3 auxiliary input port

SST transmission
The GSR SST benefits from the fitment of Mitsubishi’s 6 speed TC-SST (Twin Clutch Sports Shift Transmission) automated manual gearbox with steering column mounted magnesium paddle shifters. This transmission puts odd (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even (2nd, 4th and 6th) gears on separate input shafts, each with its own clutch, and switches between these clutches to produce an almost seamless and lightning-fast gear change in either fully automatic or manual transmission modes. A switch located at the base of the gear selector allows the driver to choose between Normal, Sport and Super Sport modes for optimum shifts in a wide variety of situations ranging from driving around town to taking tight lines on winding roads. Because the TC-SST uses clutches rather than a torque converter to transmit power it benefits from improved efficiency and better fuel economy.

The FQ-330 SST is available in Cool Silver (M); Orient Red (M); Lightning Blue (P); and Phantom Black (P) colours with metallic and pearlescent paint included in the price of £35,999, £3,000 more than the FQ-300 STT variant. 3-year unlimited mileage warranty, and pan-European breakdown and recovery service. First 3-years / 30,000 mile servicing available for just £495 with the Mitsubishi Service Plan. The insurance group rating for the new model is 20A, in line with the 5-speed manual variant with the same power output.

May 2009

FQ-400 announced

List price from £49,999. On sale – June 2009. The most powerful, accelerative Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to date. Peak power of 403bhp @ 6,500rpm; peak torque of 525Nm @ 3,500rpm. 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds (est.); top speed 155mph (electronically limited).

March 2010

Range tweaked

The Japanese built Lancer Evolution X remains a 4-door street-legal rally car with an undisputed heritage, and still a technology leader with its Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) and Twin Clutch Sports Shift Transmission (TC-SST), the Lancer Evolution X cannot fail to substantiate its claim. Lancer Evolution X prices starting from just £29,699.00. In addition to its competitive front-end price, the Evolution X FQ-300 SST retains a strong residual value.

Now based on Mitsubishi’s ‘Project Global’ platform, along with Lancer, Outlander and the Mitsubishi ASX, the Lancer Evo X has a heritage of over 40 years in motor sports at the highest level – including four Driver and one Manufacturer World Rally Championships and overall victories in some of the toughest African and Australian rallies.

The Lancer EVO X is the latest vehicle in a glorious line of Mitsubishi sports cars that started with the Lancer 1600 GSR in 1973, followed by the EX 2000 Turbo in 1980, the first Lancer Evo in 1992 and its eight subsequent generations. Powering the Lancer Evolution X is a 4B11 DOHC MIVEC turbocharged engine, focussing efforts on creating a high output engine that returns competitive fuel economy with cleaner emissions.

March 2014

Evo X FQ-440 MR special edition launched

Marks the company’s 40th anniversary in the UK and has a bespoke engine ECU re-map developing 440bhp at 6,800rpm and 412 lb.ft at 3,100rpm. There is also a HKS turbo, Janspeed exhaust system with a high-flow sports catalytic convertor and the six Speed Twin Clutch Sports Shift Transmission (SST) as standard.

All vehicles will be fitted with a data recorder which is connected through the On-board diagnostic (OBD) system. This will record details such as driving style, performance, vehicle diagnostics, and present location. Details of the data will be available to both CCC and the registered owner of the vehicle. The fitment of, and reporting of data from this device is a condition of the vehicle warranty. A three year subscription to the service is included in the vehicle price.

It only be available in Frost White (W37) and is priced at £50,000.

September 2014

SuperPro rear differential mounting kit annonced for Mitsubishi Evo X that controls excessive rear axle movement. This leads to greater stability and contact between the wheels and the road for improved power delivery. The Australian manufacturer has released a comprehensive catalogue of upgrade parts for the Evo X to allow owners to improve feedback and precision, without sacrificing ride quality or inducing harshness. The kit fits all engine variants and models and is a direct replacement for the OEM parts. SuperPro’s unique polyurethane formulation offers more progression than some of its harsher rivals, while the innovative use of knurling to retain the supplied grease, combined with grooving, where appropriate, means that noise, vibration and harshness levels are kept very close to OEM starting points, creating a car that involves, without ever being intrusive. This latest addition means that all OE bushes on Mitsubishi’s most recent version of the four-wheel-drive Lancer can now be replaced with SuperPro equivalents. The price for the complete kit is £115.65 +VAT For more information. More at www.superpro.eu.com