Prior to last night, I hadn't really driven Project Evo since we first got it back in November. I called it "uncouth" at the time, and I didn't exactly mean that as a compliment. But that was before we got rid of the satanic hissing intake and dropped in Cosworth cams and replaced the vacuum-cleaner-esque AMS single-exit exhaust with a twin-tip system, whose "Fun Plug" Mr. Niebuhr subsequently removed.
Well, that's more like it.
Project Evo is still uncouth, but there's something irresistibly raw and honest about the engine now. More than anything else, it reminds me of a certain 6.5-horsepower Evinrude twist-throttle outboard motor from my youth. With that Evinrude hooked to the back of my aunt's old skiff, I lapped a glorified puddle called Loon Pond countless times as a kid, never tiring of the motor's uninhibited growl at full whack. Similarly, the Evo's modified mill sounds better the harder it's working -- and it's 45 times more powerful to boot.
Too bad it's trapped inside a hopped-up economy car. If we could mod a Genesis Coupe 2.0T Track to this state of tune, I'd drive it every night.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 23,062 miles
huyracing says:
04:57 PM, 07/ 7/09
unfortunately, the engine is not the same. (as many people claim) you can probably get it to stock EVO numbers and reduce its reliability substantially, though. lol. at that rate, might as well make due with the stock V6... and wait til someone makes a turbo kit or supercharger kit for it.
stephen987 says:
05:03 PM, 07/ 7/09
I think the 2.0T Track has more potential than the 3.8. Less weight on the nose.
How different is the Hyundai version from the Mitsu? What parts would/would not interchange? How about a straight engine swap?
lysine says:
05:08 PM, 07/ 7/09
It seems to be a common complaint that the evo is a hopped up economy car. I kinda don't get it.
The MR I have is about as much luxury I can stand. I got the tech package. I feel it lacks nothing.
I get into a 3 series and sit in their seats, looks at the wood trim and go. That's nice, but it doesn't make me any less happy to drive an Evo.
Is there a large disparity between the MR's interior and the GSR's interior other than the seats?
Or am I just... uncouth?
church123 says:
05:19 PM, 07/ 7/09
Nah, there isn't a huge disparity IMO. I think the big complaint centers on the rather tall chassis and high weight of the Evo. I agree that less weight and a lower Cg would be better, and the Genesis delivers both.
However, I bought my Evo because it delivered 4 door versatility (the back seat is very useful, even if the trunk is compromised) and a relatively conventional driving position. Additionally, trying to harness nearly 400 hp / 400 lbs-ft (which is about where my Evo is at the crank after minimal mods) through the 2 rear wheels in a 10% lighter car is problematic on the street, especially if you have to deal with a massive ramp up in torque as boost comes on. In the Evo I can smack the throttle open in 1st gear in a corner without issue (a little wheelspin, but no directional instability). By comparison, I also have a 2 seat, supercharged 4cyl RWD car making over 400 hp and about 270 lbs-ft and smacking the throttle open in the lower gears requires caution, and that is with a much more linear torque curve than the turbo'd 4B11. I'm not complaining, I like the challenge and the adjustability of the chassis with the throttle pedal, but what the Evo has to offer is very specific and very appealing for a number of reasons.
hondacura4 says:
05:37 PM, 07/ 7/09
Shawn, when did you purchase an Evolution? I knew you had a boosted (or a couple of boosted(?)) S2000's but the Evolution purchase is news to me.
church123 says:
05:41 PM, 07/ 7/09
Bought it back in March when Mitsu was offering 0% for 60 months and huge discounts off the list price.
huyracing says:
05:51 PM, 07/ 7/09
i like driving high powered RWD's... reminds me of my rally days, lol. cleaning rubber off the rear bumper is far easier than cleaning mud...
mikeolan says:
07:35 PM, 07/ 7/09
Wankers love this car
kurtamaxxxguy says:
10:07 PM, 07/ 7/09
Perhaps Edmunds next tuner project should __be__ a Genesis Coupe, as many reviews of that model suggest tuning is what Genesis had in mind for the 2.0T track model? It's RWD, after all. :-)
johnnyr3 says:
03:26 AM, 07/ 8/09
I'm curious as to why you guys are sandbagging on getting a Genesis coupe. To be frank, the S5 is a nice car and the Challenger is...well, known; however, I know about them.
Genesis coupe is a curiosity. I'm more interested in seeing how it holds up over the long term. And how it would compare to a Z. Maybe it rides better and may be worth the 1.0-.5 seconds you'd give up in acceleration for some comfort and usability. How far and away is it from the Genesis sedan?
I don't know. I want to know these things. Get a Coupe, guys.
brdmn says:
05:49 AM, 07/ 8/09
You didn't just really suggest modding a Hyundai. But you did. Wow.
huyracing says:
06:22 AM, 07/ 8/09
The Hyundai doesnt ride better than the Z... what it does do better is give you a real LSD for real high performance driving...
powell_jr says:
07:53 AM, 07/ 8/09
Please get a genesis coupe. I, like johnnyr3, am also very curious...
mmichael says:
08:42 AM, 07/ 8/09
@insideline:
Guys, this EVO looks fab, especially without the wing. you guys should really do a photoshoot and post it on the blog... definitely drool material! :)
M Michael
http://easyclicks.wordpress.com/
bumpy says:
12:00 PM, 07/ 8/09
Pick up a Genesis Coupe 2.0T, then swap the EVO motor into it. They are the same engine family, after all.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Engine_Manufacturing_Alliance
farmerbob says:
02:57 AM, 07/16/09
Jason/Edmunds:
Off topic a bit, but what are the plans "powerwise" to get this Evo closer to your bogey GT-R? Currently, your Evo runs a 12.3 1/4 mile (with cams, tune, intake, exhaust, wheels) so it's getting maxed out already with all the bolt ons/cams. Are you going to do a "drop-in replacement turbo" like the new Garrett 35, or FP Red or Blouch Dominator turbo, the one's that are pushing the Evo into the 10.79 1/4 mile range? Just curious on the power issue.