Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, Mitsubishi
Finally... Mitsubishi Evo X MR coming to the U.S. this June
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Evolution X
We've already spent some wheel time in the Mitsubishi Evolution X GSR, and despite some dynamic criticisms, we're convinced that the new Evo remains one of the most compelling performance bargains south of $40-grand. But what about the MR? Mitsubishi contends that its top-of-the-line Evo is aimed at discerning drivers looking for a compromise between brute force and comfort. Well, that balance comes at a price, and when the MR hits dealers this June, soft-bottomed enthusiasts will have to pony up $38,290 to get behind the wheel of the more "luxurious" Evo X.
The MR comes standard with Mitsubishi's new six-speed, Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) and all the other features found on the standard GSR. If you option up the MR with the Technology Package, which includes a 30-gig harddrive navigation system, 650-watt Rockford-Fosgate Premium Sound Package, Sirius Satellite Radio and "FAST Key" entry system, the price rockets skyward to the tune of $40,840. Considering some of the competition playing around at that particular price point, buyers might have a tough time passing the BMW dealer on their way to Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi's press release is available after the jump.
Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
[Source: Mitsubishi]
PRESS RELEASE
Advanced MR Offers More Technology than Traditional Entry-Level GSR Model
CYPRESS, CA, May 21, 2008 --
On the heels of the successful introduction of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR, Mitsubishi Motors announces the availability of the more technologically-advanced 2008 Lancer Evolution MR, the newest and most sophisticated version of the model series that began 16 years ago.
Shown coming off the production line in Japan, the Lancer Evolution MR arrives at showrooms in the U.S. in June and is available for a suggested retail price of $38,290. The MR features more user technology and a broader market appeal than the entry level GSR, including an advanced 6-speed Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission.
The Lancer Evolution MR is available with an optional technology package for $40,840 that includes a 30GB hard drive navigation system with music server, 650-watt Rockford-Fosgate Premium Sound System, pre-paid Sirius Satellite Radio capability and FAST Key entry, which allows passive vehicle unlocking and engine start/stop simply by carrying the remote control and grasping the handle.
Since its introduction earlier this year, the tenth-generation 2008 Lancer Evolution GSR has met positive reactions across the industry for maintaining a balance of core performance values and improved all-around capability and user-technology:
"Like every previous Lancer Evolution, the Evo X redeems its various idiosyncrasies with a fantastic engine and drivetrain." -- Automobile
"The car is impressive, not only for the gains in performance and handling, but also the subtle transformation from hardcore rally racer to high performance all-wheel-drive sports sedan." - AutoWeek
"The Evo X drives like nothing else in the world." -- Car and Driver
"Mitsubishi has strengthened the Evo's slick-shifting five-speed manual for the tuner crowd. Shifter is nearly perfect." -- Edmunds Inside Line
"Whether manual tabbed or left in auto, S-Sport gear changes are brutally quick with the kind of shift violence seen only in Italian exotics." -- MotorTrend
"Is the new EVO better than before? -- The answer is a resounding 'yes.'" -- MSN Autos
"Bottom line: It's drive-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, four-wheel fun." -- Popular Mechanics
"The new Lancer Evolution is no longer just for weekend boy racers; it has evolved into a complete sports sedan, one with enough of a wild side to thrill anyone." -- Road & Track
"The introduction of the 2008 Lancer Evolution MR with TC-SST gives us an opportunity to expand upon the existing Evolution customer base," said Dan Kuhnert, executive vice president of sales and marketing for MMNA. "The added capability and functionality of the new Lancer Evolution vehicles make them a more viable option for everyday driving, while maintaining the rally-inspired heritage that has made the series a global performance car icon."
Both 2008 Lancer Evolution models will be on display at the 2008 Mitsubishi Owner's Day taking place in Cypress, CA on July 19, 2008.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
stefan 2:14PM (5/22/2008)
About the same time the real MR will be out in Japan, because in Japan de 5MT and DSG are both GSR models. De MR will be lighter and have around 320bhp.
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epilonious 2:17PM (5/22/2008)
"[T]he price rockets skyward to the tune of $40,840. Considering some of the competition playing around at that particular price point, buyers might have a tough time passing the BMW dealer on their way to Mitsubishi."
The pith of the article. Couldn't have placed a better emphasis on the conundrum Mitsubishi is creating.
Then again... there seemed enough people to justify the making of the VW R32. I really wish that Mazda would plant some production seedlings like this (Where is my production Kabura? Where is there only one Furai? When is the Mazda2 making it out of eurasia?) Why must some of the most innovative designers be throttled by some of the most conservative bean-counters?
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James 2:38PM (5/22/2008)
Because at the root of it all, these are companies that are primarily concerned with increasing shareholder value.
And please change your avatar picture. It's moronic that you post your picture on a site primarily visited by dudes.
Richard 2:41PM (5/22/2008)
Increasing shareholder value also means not building cars to conform to our safety standards and avoiding our litigious society - both bad things in the bean counter's columns.
epilonious 3:35PM (5/22/2008)
"Because at the root of it all, these are companies that are primarily concerned with increasing shareholder value."
I figured it was a rhetorical lament, but I appreciate your response.
"And please change your avatar picture. It's moronic that you post your picture on a site primarily visited by dudes."
The only possible reason I can fathom that this bothers you is that you are attracted to me... and it makes you uncomfortable.
Braden 4:23PM (5/22/2008)
Nah, the other guy doesn't like your picture there because nobody enjoys having some tool staring at them while reading a site about cars. He's not the only one who's been annoyed by it, but I previously couldn't be bothered to post about it.
Keep your moody brooding headshots for MySpace. :p
epilonious 5:53PM (5/22/2008)
...And give up the power to annoy people without having to enter text?
Seriously tho... I weep for the world if "that picture bothers me" is on the to-do list of things to complain about.
naggs 12:41AM (5/23/2008)
having your own picture as your sig is like having your face tattooed oh your body
unless you did it as a joke, its just sad
back on topic, the new evo is fail
what made mitsu think that the formula needed to be changed, the whole damn point of the evo badge is to signify that it is the hard core factory racer that sacrifices comfort and daily livability for extreme performance. the Mitsu Racing badge is supposed to take that to 11.
now MR means "broader market appeal" --- fail
its slower, softer and more expensive. g37 or 135 over this thing any day of the fin week.
Chad 2:22PM (5/22/2008)
A local Mitsubishi salesman told me the only thin an MR has over the regular was leather seats and paddle shifter.
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Golfa 2:27PM (5/22/2008)
haha. Mitsu salespeople have a reputation for being a bit thick. Every one I have spoken to says the dumbest stuff, and always tries to make the Evo seem SOOO much superior to my STi. Sigh...
Xcountryflyer 2:30PM (5/22/2008)
One should always question what a salesperson tells you.
The new EVOs have some pricing issues. They are getting to expensive for their target market and bumping into more premium brands. I have seen some killer deals on them if you want one.
mikomi 2:31PM (5/22/2008)
That leather wrapped shifter and steering wheel must be something. Genuine Mammoth Leather.
Richard 2:43PM (5/22/2008)
What kills me is when they don't let you drive it.
Heck, I can cross the street and drive $40k and $50k Bimmers, Audis and Mercs all day!
C.D. Ward 3:17PM (5/22/2008)
Um, no. It has different suspension and brakes not to mention the SST transmission not available on the GSR.
Golfa 2:25PM (5/22/2008)
so overpriced, and too overweight
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Jimbo 2:37PM (5/22/2008)
I hope they at least offer a no-cost spoiler-delete option.
R 4:36PM (5/22/2008)
Hopefully the pedal doesn't break off.
xpolarx 4:39PM (5/22/2008)
Agreed...if you're going to be spending over $40k for a car, why not just drop a couple more grand and buy a BMW 335xi? Not that I'm a huge fan of BMW or anything, but Mitsubishi is dreaming if they think they can compete with BMW. Evo, I liked you better when you were $8k cheaper.
Nick 2:34PM (5/22/2008)
I think as a halo car the MR will sell adequately well, and Mitsubishi has the range covered with the new Ralliart. Once that car comes out Mitsu will have the mid 20k-high 30k performance range covered. Maybe the MR won't be the bread and butter of the line, but it's definitely not a 335xi. While similar in specs, in practice the cars are quite different. BMW will get the lion's share of the sales because of the way its strengths play to the US market, but the MR will undoubtedly carve a small niche for itself. And thank god for that- if Mitsubishi built an exact clone of the 335xi in terms of comfort/power/handling/price then they would have no niche at all.
The other commenter who mentioned the R32 made a good point- these cars are meant to prove to enthusiasts that Mitsubishi has a world class engineering organization, something they desperately need to prove, though the last generation Evo has already helped them immensely in this regard.
Since press coverage is worth its weight in platinum, I'd say the MR has already paid for itself in a world where millions are spent on print ad campaigns.
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Soccer Mom 2:56PM (5/22/2008)
$40K for an econobox, even if it is fast econobox? It still has appearance of the worse-than-peers econobox and the interior to match. I get get a go-kart that has better driving characteristics and far better interior/exterior for less than a third of that price.
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