First drive: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X

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On the road, the Evo 10 is an exciting thing to steer with few peers in terms of grip and drive. Photo Gallery

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution continues.

You can throw away your kidney belt in Mitsubishi’s new Lancer Evo 10 because it won’t jolt and jiggle you into a quivering mass like earlier Evos. Mitsubishi has made Evo X (10) a  more civilized beast and better for the road by softening the ride and fitting more goodies.

And available for the first time is a double clutch Twin Clutch Sports Shift Transmission (TC SST) offering rapid-fire sequential changes up and down via steering wheel paddles or the stick shift. Alternatively, drivers can simply select D mode and it operates like a full auto.

SST is made by European manufacturer Getrag and is similar to Porsches’s new PDK twin clutch sequential manual, right down to double down changes and down changes governed by brake application. It’s that sophisticated.

This is generation four of the Evo and as such is bigger, better, roomier, more comfy, faster and quicker than ever. Mitsubishi is being coy about acceleration figures for the new Evo but we would suggest it’s good for a low 5.0 second 0-100kmh split.

That puts it on par with Subaru’s WRX STi.

Two models are available, the base model $59,490 Evolution and the MR with SST only which gains plenty more kit for the extra 12 grand ask.

If you add SST to the Evolution it’s $5000 and there’s a sports pack for the Evolution  too comprising all the goodies on MR for $5500.

The package includes Eibach springs, Bilstein dampers, two piece discs with Brembo calipers and BBS 18-inch alloy wheels.

Mitsubishi reinforces Evo’s chassis with additional welding and supports including strut tower braces. The suspension is also reinforced and based around a strut front and multi-link rear system.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre, twin cam, four pot with a twin scroll turbo modified for better air flow. It’s good for 217kW/366Nm with maximum torque coming in at around 3500rpm.

Boost at low speed is increased for better response.

An arsenal of electronic controls governs how Evo X puts power to the ground including stability control and what Mitsubishi calls Super All Wheel Control that integrates the car’s electronics to provide maximum drive and grip depending on conditions.

The twin clutch transmission is designed for ultra quick changes and no interruption to power delivery as well as delivering improved fuel economy.

A five speed manual is available on the Evolution model.

SST offers three change modes: Normal, Sport and Super Sport (for track use).

Drive control offers Snow, Gravel and Tarmac modes.

On the road, the Evo 10 is an exciting thing to steer with few peers in terms of grip and drive to say nothing of engine performance. It has blistering roll-on acceleration accentuated in the SST thanks to the rapid shift times.

Grip from the variable all wheel drive system is prodigious in wet or dry conditions and there’s a helical front differential just to make sure power gets to the ground most efficiently.

It has impressive brakes and pin sharp steering to complete the dynamic package. Mitsubishi took pains to make the Evo X more appealing for everyday driving including reworking the suspension and giving the interior a style makeover that unfortunately includes too much cheap hard plastic. But it scores plenty of equipment including Bluetooth connectivity, decent audio on the base model and the usual array of aircon, power ancillaries and sports seats upgradeable to Recaros.

Is it better than the WRX STi?

No doubt about it. The SST alone puts it way ahead as does the handling and ride package. It looks better too particularly the aggressive front end

Evo X is available through Mitsubishi’s 80 Ralliart dealers and is covered by a five year 130,000km warranty, 10 years on the drive train. Gotta love that.

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2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X