Evolution - the HOT Mitsubushi Lancer

Photo: Victor Llana (www.boundlesscaptures.com)

I got my chance to drive the enormously powerful Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recently. It's an interesting product, because it's powerful and firm-riding while being based on a plain four-door sedan. Kind of a Pontiac GTO for today. The big difference between the GTO and the Evo, though, is that this modern muscle car uses a 2.0 liter engine (that's right) that puts out, thanks to turbocharging and intercooling, 291 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque!

Yes, you read that one right. And it comes with the goods young performance car enthusiasts want. Brembo brakes (that you can see through the 18-inch alloy wheels). A huge rear spoiler that "spoils" the view behind while looking cool (or ridiculous, depending on what you care for. The body ground effects panels below the doors stick out like running boards--very cool, but  don't step on them (there's a warning on them to make sure you don't).

There's always something entertaining about a car that pulls you ahead when you step on the gas pedal. This one does--and sounds fiercer than you might expect with just two liters under the hood (which has two vents and a naca duct, by the way).The engine runs at just over 3,000 rpm at 65 mph so you'll hear the engine a lot on the freeway. My tester sported a five-speed manual with a 0.761 overdrive fifth gear. You can order up a six-speed automatic.

Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) keeps all four wheels gripping the pavement. It's a combination of Mitsubishi's All-Wheel Control and Active Yaw Control, meaning that it sends engine torque to the outside or inside rear wheels depending on available traction, so the wheels with the most grip on the road receive the most power. In addition, three driver-selectable modes let you choose the surface. I found Tarmac (the road), Gravel, and Snow settings--but used only the first.

There are sporty Recaro buckets inside with hard bolsters to keep you in place during the antics you're sure to perform with this beautiful beast. My wife didn't care for them--especially when one bolster surprised her while she was getting into the car. Also reminding you of the sportiness you've got is the billet metal emergency brake handle with "Lancer Evolution" inscribed into it.

My Wicked White tester had a five-speed manual--but you can order up a six-speed automatic. The manual felt solid and mechanical--not the best but rewarding in its authentic feel. I did stall the car a couple of times, though. but if you lived with it that wouldn't happen.

The Lancer is a pretty nice looking car overall, even without the go-fast add-ons, although the huge air intake up front is a little frightening. I drove the non-turbo not hotrod five-door sportback a while ago and it was very pleasant. The issue, if there is one, is that for $35,000 the folks who want the car (young guys) may not be able to afford it, and the people looking for a $35K sports sedan may prefer a BMW 3 series. But for a week it was big fun.

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback--Hidden Gem

When you're retailing, say, Ford F150 pickup trucks or Toyota Camrys, you basically just round 'em up and move 'em out. These models sell in the U.S. in the hundreds of thousands every year. "What color would you like?," is what the salespeople ask their numerous customers.

What if you're Mitsubishi? Things aren't going as well in the U.S. these days, with the sporty Eclipse in decline, the Galant a perennial also-ran and SUV sales stagnant. But there are some bright spots, including the upcoming "i" all-electric models, the brisk-selling compact crossover Outlander Sport--and the Lancer Sportback.

The Lancer is its most ferocious as the Evolution, with its 291-horsepower turbocharged engine, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, and such, but the Lancer itself, in sedan or Sportback form, is a nice car that is overshadowed by some flashier competition. My Graphite Gray test car looked handsome and had the solid, well put together look of a BMW sedan of a couple of generations ago. The big mouth grille is the new face of Mitsubishi, in the style of Audi, but the general proportions are restrained and handsome.

Inside, the lines are straight, surfaces no-nonsense and hard for the most part, and the chrome and bling are at a minimum. At first glance, this seems a little Spartan, but, frankly, that's the way 3 Series BMWs have looked for years and nobody has complained. In truth, when you're driving you want controls that work the way they're supposed to, information when you need it, and reasonable quiet so you can hear the stereo. These things the Lancer does just fine, and the lack of overtly styled twists and turns and elaborately crafted dash art are pleasantly non-distracting.

The ES model, like mine, has a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a manual or automatic. My tester had the latter, which, as a Continuously Variable Transmission, churned out usable ratios without fuss and never left me sitting there. The manual, which I sampled in a sedan previously, would be a little more fun.

Average fuel economy is rated at 27 and that's about what I got. Not bad.

The GTS moves up to a 2.4-liter four with 168 horsepower and adds 18-inch alloy wheels. The Ralliart uses a 2.0-liter turbo to put out 237 horsepower. See their website for model specs.

The real bonus of the Sportback is its generous hatchback. It lifts up high--above head clunking level--and a quick drop of the seats opens up a surprisingly large and flat carpeted space. When the rear seats are up and the cover's in place, you get the security of a good-sized trunk. It's a best-of-both-worlds deal.

At $20,105, including optional 18-inch alloys from the higher-level models, rear disc brakes and stabilizer bars for higher performance, a sunroof and nice leather-wrapped steering wheel, the car feels like something of a bargain.

You just have to keep an open mind when you're out shopping--and figure out where the nearest Mitsubishi dealer is located.