I took a turn in Project Evo, our long-term 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR, over the weekend. Modifications
are still in progress, so I can't draw any lasting conclusions about how it performs, other than to say this car is explosive when the boost
comes together and quieter (and tidier in appearance) with the dual-exit exhaust
.
Now here's a more superficial comment on our Evo GSR. I looked back at it after parking for my weekly trip to the farmers market. To my eyes, it looked just as handsome and refined as the BMW 328i coupe with sport-package wheels (which were covered in brake dust) parked behind it.
Obviously, any similarities end when you actually drive the cars. Our Evolution X GSR is not unrefined in how it rides, but it's a much stiffer setup than BMW could ever tolerate in a production car. Project Evo (and even our Evo X MR) has far less noise isolation, too, and I seriously doubt the 328i owner would ever want to take a ride in it.
So the point here? For all the performance and rawness packed into the Evolution X (and enhanced further in Project Evo), the car slides more neatly into public society than the Evo IX. In appearance, it's no more threatening than a sport-package 3 Series car. Only its owner (and a select few) would know the real truth.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 18,012 miles
huyracing says:
12:34 PM, 03/23/09
really? it seems to stick out like a sore thumb to me next to those cars. perhaps its the color, though.
smilez says:
12:38 PM, 03/23/09
Who has the biggest catfish mouth: the Evo or the 370Z?
corollasman says:
12:55 PM, 03/23/09
In my opinion, the front facia alone gives it a stand-out, menacing appearance.
misterfusion says:
01:12 PM, 03/23/09
Take off that ridiculous wing, and it'd be even more presentable.
g8gtnorth says:
02:04 PM, 03/23/09
"Who has the biggest catfish mouth: the Evo or the GT-R?"
There, I fixed it.
adavis2493 says:
03:08 PM, 03/23/09
The Mitsu seems like a cool car, but it also seems like something a total @$$hole would drive. Someone that tailgates you for the sake of tailgating you. I would rather have the Bimmer is it wasn't like the one behind it is Montego Blue- Yuck.
altimadude00 says:
06:24 PM, 03/23/09
Bimmers are always tailgating me, no matter what lane I'm in. Call me boring, but I'll take the Passat.
HassanK says:
07:15 AM, 03/24/09
Looks pretty mean to me.
ace47 says:
12:05 AM, 03/25/09
So Ms Erin likes the EVO. Smart girl.
ace47 says:
02:36 AM, 03/25/09
And finally we a little truth about how the EVO rides and its even compared to the EVO IX!