Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR vs GSR - Hey! Nice Set!

But this summer, the Lancer Evolution MR is going to attack. The previous generation car offered a six-speed manual transmission, Bilstein shocks and forged BBS wheels. While the new vehicle offers these enhancements as well, the new MR's heightened level of technology and equipment combine to create an Evo driving experience unlike any before it. The 2008 Lancer Evolution MR incorporates the new Twin Clutch-Sportronic Shift Transmission or TC-SST for short. Similar in concept to the VW DSG transmission, TC-SST offers fast, paddle actuated shifting in addition to three different fully automatic modes. Normal mode is a snoozer that attempts to get decent fuel economy, while Sport mode offers snappier shifts while also holding a gear longer. The S-SPORT mode is a balls-out track mode that holds shifts to redline and rev-matches upon down shifting. S-SPORT does the heel toe work for its driver, and makes lapping a joy of consistency. In short, it is probably a smarter transmission than most of us and does a better job of shifting automatically in track conditions than 99-percent of the people on the planet. If it had a willing mouth or could make a mean Monte Cristo sandwich you might want to take a knee and propose to TC-SST. On the track, it won't make you a better man, but a better driver for sure. On the street, its automatic modes lend sanity to the insanity of real world traffic. For high performance driving, TC-SST technology allows you to focus your attention on the fewer things a driver can screw up like steering and braking, and this is the key to help connect with your inner Senna and drive fast as hell with less skill. The new MR also rides on a more compliant but faster reacting Bilstein suspension. The forged BBS wheels and two-piece front brake rotors reduce unsprung weight further improving the MR's reflexes. MR also features an upgraded interior with Alcantara seating surfaces, and more upscale trim pieces as well as additional sound deadening material to isolate the cabin from noise. But it is really the unique operation and tri-modal nature of the new TC-SST that help distance this Evo MR from its GSR brethren. One of the key questions revolving around this transmission is whether or not the design or electronics will allow for any tuning or modification. Will the hardware fail? Will the software be ineffective with power upgrades?

To answer that, AMS Performance of Chicago applied bolt-on upgrades to one of the first MRs in the United States. The collective Mitsubishi think tank at AMS has probably forgotten more about Evo tuning than most of us will ever learn in a lifetime. Currently, they offer upgrades to take the new five-speed equipped GSR well into the 400-hp range. They wondered what would happen if some of those proven enhancements were applied to the new Twin-Clutch-equipped MR.

So for about $2,100 bones, the engine's output is raised to about 350 horsepower. Best of all, the new Twin Clutch performed well with the power increase. While the programmed shift points did not change in the Automatic modes, the shift quality remained very acceptable. Paddle actuated manual shifts make the most of the engine's enlarged balls and the car now leaps forward like a raped ape in all gears. The improved breathing of the AMS exhaust and intake modifications simply make the stock engine and turbo package more effective, responsive and willing to spin faster.