Couple this MR's additional speed with the fact that the interior of the MR we drove features the 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system in addition to the Hard Drive Navigation with music server and it becomes obvious why people see this MR as a more "grown-up" Evo. We all have to grow up at some point, and at least the new GSR and MR grew up the right way. Unlike the Olsen twins, who grew up wrong, getting weirder, uglier and harder on the eyes (but still rich), these cars have both become more sophisticated and capable. The new pair of Lancer Evolutions have not lost their responsiveness to tuning or tarnished the grins they deliver behind the wheel.
Faster Facts
AMS Performance'08 Mitsubishi EVO X MR
The Sticker $38,290 stock;
AMS Performance package: $2,114.90 (available through AMS Performance)
Under The Hood 2.0L MIVEC I4 turbocharged/intercooled engine; AMS Performance intake pipe, front-mount intercooler, upper intercooler pipe (hot pipe), single-tip exhaust and small battery kit
The Power stock MR: 291 hp at 6,500 rpm; 300 lb-ft at 4,400; AMS Performance MR: 350 hp
Scale Tipping 3,388 (JDM spec)
Layout Front engine, AWD
Gearbox six-speed TC-SST
Stiff Stuff Eibach springs; Bilstein shocks
Rollers 18x8.5 BBS forged alloy wheels; Yokohama ADVAN 245/40R18 tires
Stoppers two-piece four-piston caliper with ventilated 13.8" disc brakes (front); two-piece two-piston caliper with ventilated 13" disc brakes (rear)
At The Pump N/A
The Pack Subaru STI, BMW 135
Deep Thoughts If you can get past the idea of not having an actual clutch pedal, you'll learn to love the new MR quickly. It's a world of difference from the GSR and with the AMS Performance package, you'll be able to smoke fools in GSRs with ease. However, it would be really interesting to see if there ever will be a traditional manual version in the future.