Team-BHP - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X : Test Drive & Review

After attacking a couple of corners with the EVO, the first thought that came to my head is this....We simply aren't drivers good enough to exploit the EVO's handling prowess. Of course, neither do public roads provide an opportunity. The EVO is too skilled a car for the average driver. It's too brilliantly sorted. As Rehaan aptly wrote in the opening post, the EVO will make you - an average driver - feel invincible.

I loved the looks, it's totally my kind of styling. Very understated, yet the right amount of muscle and well-proportioned. The EVO looks great in the pictures, but it looks even better (and more substantial) in the flesh. I hit a bad traffic jam on the way to the expressway. It's here that the EVO showed her dual personality. In traffic, she is as easy to drive as an AT Honda City! The steering's easy, power delivery predictable and AT gearbox making light work of traffic snarls. The first empty stretch of road I found, I floored her. She is quick, yet not frighteningly quick. Example : Even a 530d pushes you back into the seat, the EVO doesn't. Rather, power delivery is linear. I was shocked at the light, zero-feedback steering. This in one of the world's most evocative performance sedans. Even a Civic steering feels better. Hit the ghats and the EVO shines. She just refuses to lose composure, no matter how hard you push. Thanks to the worn out brake pads on our test car, I used generous doses of engine braking, and the EVO obliged. She even downshifted where other (conservative) boxes would refuse to.

I'm just glad that a true performance sedan is here. Hopefully, the EVO paves the way for others to follow suit. Things have never been better for the loaded petrolhead! Can't understand Mitsu's pricing strategy though. The A4 3.2 FSI & the EVO are near identically priced in the UK. Yet here, the A4 3.2 cost 48 lakhs on the road (with ALL options). That's even lower than the EVO's ex-showroom.

A great Review guys. Couldn't believe my eyes when I read the Thread title.I really didn't expect you guys to review the Evo X so soon. But I'm glad you did anyways.

I couldn't help but notice one very important point missing in the review , 0-100 Km/hr speed run for this FQ-300 engine with the tires she's on for our roads. I'm sure you guys were more excited with drifting her mostly on the dirt but I think the straight line performance would also count for a 50+ lakhs sport sedan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO (Post 2209666)

The A4 3.2 FSI & the EVO are near identically priced in the UK. Yet here, the A4 3.2 cost 48 lakhs on the road (with ALL options). That's even lower than the EVO's ex-showroom.

Clearly this is what has upset most Evo enthusiasts here in India,It's price !! How could Mistsubishi get so awry here ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-16 (Post 2209744)

I guess this is where my eagerness wears off a bit. I was quite disappointed with the dash and the meters. Looks very dated to me. Then HM goes and drops another bomb (as if the price bomb was not enough) that its got a limited warranty. Even a two wheeler has more warranty.

Anything about the fuel specs. I mean what kind of octane is specified? 91-97Ron ??

Good point. HM should have at least launched the car 2-1/2 years ago at the time of global debut. At least the customer deserves the latest and greatest for paying 1/2 crore. Its not exactly a hot new arrival anymore.

BTW, sticker on the filler door says 98 pump octane.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedreamcatcher (Post 2210083)

I have great respect for a car like the Evo. But, 50 is asking too much. I would not mind 50 for probably a Nissan 370 or GT, but may think twice about a 4 door Lancer

370Z is cheaper than the Evo everywhere in the world. Only in India its more expensive. The GT-R is in a difference performance and price class.

Anyways that said, all these cars are priced obscenely. Considering their prices, I'd rather get a BMW Z4 which is just a few lacs more in India. Its a rather good deal in our country compared to prices abroad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammy (Post 2208863)

..But this price tag is just blasphemous, is it really worth 50lac plus?

If we were talking FQ-360 at this price, i could see twice as many buyers. (Though thats still a very small number!!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by benzinblut (Post 2209270)

My question: Warranty is short but despite this, is HM equipped to serivce this or you would have to leave the car in the workshop for days together?

Honestly, other than (maybe) the most common high-wear items like brake pads and tyres, i doubt they would keep anything more in stock. How many EVO Xs are gonna sell pan-India? Personally, I'd be surprised if its more than 20 this whole year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deetjohn (Post 2209361)

Can you please explain what this is? <<Intercooler spray>>

The Subaru STi (EVO's archnemesis) has a button for spraying the intercooler with water, which cools it further, giving the engine even cooler air.

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X : Test Drive & Review-wrxsti07leftpanel1.jpg

Source of pic

Quote:

Originally Posted by govigov (Post 2209709)

you did not expand what FQ stands for :p !

Don't want an infraction :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-16 (Post 2209744)

I was quite disappointed with the dash and the meters. Looks very dated to me.

To be honest, its a HUGE step up from the EVO IX. Though yes, on its own its still a bit dull and uninspiring at places. I liked the MID and the gear-lever + mode switch.

Here's the IX for comparison.

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X : Test Drive & Review-2007mitsubishilancerevolutionixfq360interior1600x1200.jpg

Source

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-16 (Post 2209744)

Anything about the fuel specs. I mean what kind of octane is specified? 91-97Ron ??

The brochure says nothing! The test car didn't come with an owners manual. But as shown in a pic in the engine post, there's a sticker that says 98 octane only!

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanjohn123 (Post 2209883)

I couldn't help but notice one very important point missing in the review , 0-100 Km/hr speed run for this FQ-300 engine with the tires she's on for our roads. I think the straight line performance would also count for a 50+ lakhs sport sedan.

Stanjohn, you're absolutely right -- and personally this is something i was very keen on testing, and am pretty disappointed that we couldn't manage it. The first thing i did was tank up the car with 97 octane (to get max performance in the 0-100). However, its rare to get a safe place to test within the city, and add to that the brakes on the test car were on their last legs so we had to leave extra room for caution. The ideal situation never arose in town or out of it. Maybe if we get another chance... i sure we could drop a significant amount off the time that its been measured at in India so far.

cya
R

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rehaan (Post 2210342)

Hmm, that's alright man. Hopefully next time with better brakes on:thumbs up. I did some research on the net and they say the FQ 300 can do a 0-100 sprint of 4.7s.