Mitsubishi Evolution Viii
by Eric Scharlow/David Chen
If you missed last months' Fast and the Furious followup, 2Fast 2Furious, don't fret. We've got the lowdown on the movie's number one star: the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The EVO joins the ranks of the class previously dominated by the Subaru WRX: sport compact four seaters fast enough to pass the likes of Ferrari and Porsche.
The first thing you'll notice about the EVO is that it doesn't look like your typical Lancer. From the vent in the hood to the big red Brembo brakes, to the huge ass carbon fiber wing, this car is performance-oriented all the
way. The interior sports some nice hi-
performance additions, such as the leather wrapped Momo steering wheel, short shifter, and custom Recaro seats. Much importance has been placed on reducing the weight of this car, including using aluminum for the hood and fenders, lighter weight glass, and 17-inch Enkei® lightweight alloy wheels.
So How Fast Is This Puppy?
With a turbocharged 271 horsepower engine and a curb weight of around 3300 pounds, the EVO is fast enough to keep up with anything on the road. It rockets from 0-60 in under 5 seconds and has a top speed of over 150 miles per hour. The note of the engine is very satisfying as the car gets up to speed.
But this baby isn’t just about straight lines; it also corners with the best of them. Steering is light, responsive, and accurate, and the car feels incredibly stable, even through the sharpest turns. You’ll feel very little body roll, thanks to the stiffness of the body and suspension. Since the EVO has full time AWD, traction is excellent no matter how wet or slippery the surface is.
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Engine Type: |
Turbocharged 2.0L
DOHC 16-Valve Inline-4 |
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Layout: |
Front Engine, Full time
All Wheel Drive, 4 Door,
5 Passenger |
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Horsepower: |
271@6500rpm |
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Torque (lb-ft): |
273@3500rpm |
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Redline: |
7000rpm |
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Curb Weight: |
3263 lbs |
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EPA Fuel Economy: |
18/26 miles per gallon |
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0-60 mph: |
4.59 seconds |
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1/4 Mile: |
13.08 seconds |
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Top Speed: |
157mph |
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Base Price: |
$28,987 |
For more information on the Evolution, contact Eric Scharlow at eric@soakmag.com.
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