Soft, fat and no longer rally inspired…

…These are words that have been thrown around since long before the 10th generation Lancer Evolution was released. Discussions on the stability and strength if the 4B11T powerplant caused a bit of concern about the new engine line up in this latest iteration of what could be called the ‘Industry standard’ in road-going rally cars. There was quite a bit of concern about the venerable 4G63T no longer being used as a base for the new Lancers. The open deck design that was touted as the new Evo engine had quite a few gearheads wondering what kind of abuse the new block could handle as compared to the almost legendary 4G63T. A little faith in Mitsubishi was really all we needed. MMC took the existing 4B11T and simply beefed it up where needed. The end result was a semi-closed deck, forged crank, and a solid foundation that weighed in around 28 or so lbs less that the 4G it replaced… So far so good.

Pleasantly plump:

Digging into the specs on the new Evo X, you’ll notice that it did put on a bit of weight, say 250 lbs. What you got for that extra baggage was some refinement, and some nice creature comforts. Things like navigation, cruise control (Previously almost unheard of in an Evo), upgraded audio and some sound deadening make the Evo X a more comfy place to be. This all sounds wonderful, but in a ‘rally car’? Starts to make you wonder.
Here’s where it gets interesting: from 0-75mph the X is actually quicker (albeit marginally at only .2 second) than the outgoing Evo IX. Granted things change a bit over 75mph, but it’s again only marginal- say about .3 seconds in the 1/4 mile difference. So the fat kid can keep up. Things aren’t looking as bad after all. But wait, there’s more…
It just gets better. Braking is better, turn in is better, the incredibly complex AWD system is better, it’s more comfortable, and the Evo X flat out handles better that it’s predecessor. As a point of interest, the Evo X was tested to .99g on the 200ft skidpad, whereas the Evo IX could only muster .93g. That is a dramatic difference. It’s something to pull 1 lateral G on a skidpad, and the Evo X is so close you can taste it. Not too many production cars can make that number, and it’s a wonder given the price range of the Evo X.

Back to the engine:

The beauty behind the new 4B11T engine is the relative smoothness in which it delivers the power, sure it doesn’t have quite the frantic feel of the previous generation, but looking at the specs, you’d be hard pressed to complain. Making upwards of 290 hp at 6500 rpm, and 300lb/ft. of torque at 4000rpm, the new engine starts off well. With 9:1 compression and Mitsu’s MIVEC variable cam timing on both intake and exhaust, the engine makes good power and feels smooth throughout the rev band. A redline of 7600 rpm wraps things up nicely. The engine builds boost at a low rpm, so there is not much delay in the fun. All in all, the 4B11T is a potent package.
An all new Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) is available in the MR for those with a penchant for technology, as is a standard 5 speed manual. Ultimately the manual is the better bet for those looking to do some major upgrading, but the TC-SST has it’s place as well. Stuck in traffic? Pop it into auto and let the computer sort it out. Up for a little ’spirited’ driving? The TC-SST can do that too. The Twin clutch transmission is truly an engineering marvel, especially given the price of the Evo X. The complexity of the transmission is truly amazing, but the availability of that kind of technology in a reasonably priced sedan is even more amazing. The standard 5 speed is smoother and slicker, so the driving purist is not left behind.

What all that means:

The new 4B11T powered Evo X is a definite step forward for the Lancer Evolution. While not as direct and not as rally inspired, all the key elements are there. Don’t let the softness fool you, the technology and computing power more than covers the spread for the Evo IX. The Evo X is a wonder of technology and an incredibly well rounded performer, even if it is technically slower than it’s predecessor.

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