Mitsubishi launches Evo X in Japan

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has launched its Lancer Evolution X high-performance 4WD sedan in Japan. The vehicle is offered in its domestic market in GSR trim level, with a number of option packages that can be tacked on, these being a high performance package, an exterior styling package and leather combination interior. Also available, a Premium Package, which combines all the above packages and adds 18-inch BBS lightweight alloy wheels. The Evo X is also available as a RS competition base model, the latter coming with less comprehensive and simplified equipment specification to reduce weight to a minimum.


While the basic exterior shape is very much from the standard Lancer, the front end has been tweaked with larger air intake openings and new ducting to lend the vehicle a more aggressive look. New to the form, an engine hood air scoop and air outlet, as well as fender vents. At the rear, an oversized rear spoiler uses a twisted-section wing panel with different attack angles at its ends and in the centre portion to match the airflow over the body surface. A large undercover rectifies underbody airflow for better aerodynamics and also improves drivetrain cooling, and there's a lower rear bumper diffuser to help exhaust the underbody airflow more effectively.


The exterior styling package option uses a chrome finish for the front grille lattice and beltline molding, body colour-keyed fender vents and adds fog lamps to the equation. The new platform makes a significant increase in body stiffness, with gains being 40% better torsional and 60% better flexural stiffness over the Evo IX MR.


Power comes from a turbocharged 4B11-type 2.0l four-cylinder twin-cam pot, delivering 276bhp (206kW) and 422Nm of torque. The new engine, excluding auxiliary equipment, is 12kg lighter than the 4G63 thanks to the use of a die-cast aluminium cylinder block, head cover and chain case. The 4B11 is of course the same base engine as featured in the Lancer 2.0GT here and Galant Fortis in Japan, though revisions have of course been made for its use on the Evo X.
Using a titanium-aluminum alloy turbine wheel and aluminum alloy compressor wheel, the turbocharger features a shape-optimized compressor wheel that improves boost response and increases low-end and mid-range torque.


The adoption of a rearward facing exhaust manifold layout has, as well as improving exhaust efficiency, allowed the engine to be mounted lower, lowering the centre of gravity. Other innovations have reduced intake/exhaust system losses and valvetrain friction, contributing to improved engine performance.


The GSR is available with the new Twin Clutch SST six-speed automated manual transmission, which puts odd (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even (2nd, 4th and 6th) gears on separate input shafts each with its own clutch. The system allows the driver to choose between Autoshift fully automatic shifting and Manual Shift, where the driver can change gears as with a manual transmission. A toggle switch located at the base of the shift selector allows the driver to choose between Normal, Sport and Super Sport modes for the optimum shift scheduling. The GSR is also available with a new five-speed manual transmission (the RS version is only available with this manual gearbox). First to fourth gears use close ratios; 1st uses a lower ratio than previously for better standing acceleration, while 5th gear uses a higher ratio for more comfortable high-speed cruising. The new transmission uses multi-cone synchroniser rings on all gears for smoother shifting and a more positive shift feel as well as for improved durability.


The GSR trim level comes with the S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) 4WD vehicle dynamics control system as standard, with three operating modes present — Tarmac for dry, paved surfaces; Gravel for wet or unmade surfaces, and Snow for snow covered surfaces. Active Stability Control (ASC) has been added to the ACD (Active Center Differential), AYC (Active Yaw Control) and Sport ABS component systems featured in previous Evo.


While continuing on the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension arrangement used on previous models in the series, the Evo X features a revamped suspension layout with wider tracks and 18-inch tires. The GSR comes standard with 245/40R18 tyres sitting on 18-inch Enkei 12-spoke high-rigidity cast alloy wheels. As a factory-fitted option, 18-inch BBS lightweight alloy wheels are also available. The factory-fitted high performance package is made up of Bilstein single tube shock absorbers and Eibach coil springs, as seen on the Evo IX MR. It also includes Brembo two-piece disc brakes, lighter by 1.3kg per piece over the standard Brembo discs, and high performance tires with stiffer walls and better grip.


Five body colours are offered in GSR trim, including a vividly sporty Red Metallic and a new classy and deep-hue Phantom Black Pearl, while the RS is offered in two body colours, including White Solid which is exclusive to this trim level.