Autoblog

VIDEO: EVO does 0-100 mph in Porsche's new 911 Turbo... with a Coke and a smile

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Porsche

Evo takes a 911 Turbo and a Coke from 0-100 - Click above to watch video

When the Porsche 997 Turbo first came out and it was discovered that you could get from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds in the Tiptronic automatic transmission (which was quicker than the manual gearbox), that was incredible enough. In the updated 997 Turbo with PDK, however, you can apparently get to 100 mph in less than eight seconds with just three fingers on the wheel and a bottle of Coke at your lips.

Things coming out of Stuttgart are no longer incredible, they're outrageous. Follow the jump to watch Chris Harris do a bit of drinking and driving.

[Source: EVO]

Continue reading VIDEO: EVO does 0-100 mph in Porsche's new 911 Turbo... with a Coke and a smile

VIDEO: EVO does 0-100 mph in Porsche's new 911 Turbo... with a Coke and a smile originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi recalls nearly 30k 2008-2009 Lancer/Lancer EVO models over airbag sensors

Michael Harley — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Evo X - Click above for high-res image gallery

Potential corrosion of the front impact airbag sensor has prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall up to 29,353 2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution models. NHTSA is concerned that long-term exposure to a mixture of melted snow and salt thrown up by other vehicles on the road may cause the wintery mixture to adhere to the front impact sensor and lead to corrosion over time. In the event of an accident or collision, a damaged sensor may short-circuit and delay airbag deployment possibly causing driver or passenger injury. The recall is currently limited to states where heavy road salt is used in the winter (i.e., Connecticut, New York, Wisconsin, etc...).

Mitsubishi dealers have been instructed to replace the airbag sensors with a redesigned model with improved corrosion resistance. Of course, the service will be performed at no charge. While the safety recall isn't scheduled to begin until November 27, 2009, owners may contact Mitsubishi Customer Relations at 888-648-7820, contact NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit NHTSA on the Internet at www.safercar.gov. Full press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading Mitsubishi recalls nearly 30k 2008-2009 Lancer/Lancer EVO models over airbag sensors

Mitsubishi recalls nearly 30k 2008-2009 Lancer/Lancer EVO models over airbag sensors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus wins 2 EVO magazine car of the year awards

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Lotus

2010 Lotus Evora - click above for high res image gallery

Lotus has managed to snag two car of the year honors from EVO magazine for two different machines. The new Evora came out on the top of the heap among the new road going cars, while the Evora went into production earlier this year and as of last month, Lotus has apparently delivered about 800 examples. EVO did their testing in Scotland at the Isle of Skye and the Lotus bested the likes of the Ferrari 458, Aston Martin V12 Vantage and Porsche 911 GT3.

EVO also evaluated track cars at the Bedford Autodrome for their own award and here Lotus again took the top prize. Running against an assortment of competitors from the Ford Focus RS and Mitsubishi Evo to more extreme machines like a Lamborghini Gallardo and the latest Arial Atom, the Lotus 2-Eleven got the best score. The 2-Eleven had the second best time and was found to be the most fun to drive. Considering the 2-Eleven looks more like a pure race car, it's astonishing that under British rules you can actually get single vehicle type approval to drive them on public roads. 'Scuse me Lotus? We'd love to try out the 2-Eleven!

Gallery: Lotus Evora

Gallery: Entry-Level Lotus 2-Eleven

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus wins 2 EVO magazine car of the year awards

Lotus wins 2 EVO magazine car of the year awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New-for-2010 Mitsubishi Evo MR Touring pricing announced, starts at $40,990

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Mitsubishi, Off-Road

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi finally posted pricing information on its new top-of-the-Evolution-ary-chart MR Touring model, and it definitely isn't cheap. A bargain to some maybe, but definitely not cheap. We had first seen this uplevel MR at a local car gathering that seems to attract just about every bit of new enthusiast candy, but back then, they were referring to it as the Limited. Now, it's called the MR Touring and with a base MSRP of $40,990, the top dog Lancer finally cracks the 40K barrier, pushing the definition of "bargain." If you go Sharpie-mad and check every box on the order form, the bottom line might make you think you're actually at an Audi dealer. The full boat 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring would retail for - wait for it - $52,728. Yep, a fifty-plus-thousand-dollar-Lancer. (Editor's note: After checking over the list again, we see that some of the options are indeed redundant. Best we can tell, a Touring would run around $47,000, tops. Still quite a hefty sum though.)

For all those greenbacks, however, you'll get a wonderfully chuckable, largely-aluminum-bodied supersedan with a 291-horsepower turbo four-cylinder, a paddle-shifted dual clutch six-speed transmission, Brembo brakes, 18-inch BBS wheels wrapped in sticky Yokohama Advans, all working through Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel-drive system to propel you along in any conditions on virtually any surface at alarming speeds. But all of that could be said for the regular Evo as well. So what makes the Touring so dear?

What the Touring adds are creature comforts that make the 40-grand price tag potentially less alarming, turning the car into something that can genuinely be cross-shopped against BMW, Audi, Mercedes and the like with few excuses. It's an Evo for grown-ups.

Standard on the Touring are things like a new higher-res info display between the gauges, an Evo-first moonroof, and genuine leather-covered heated Recaros. The car gains a few pounds with the extra equipment and additional soundproofing - even though it saves a bit by dropping the rear wing in favor of a small lip spoiler. The full list of standard and optional features can be found after the jump along with full pricing information. We've also added a new gallery of high-res pics so you can see all of the detail changes for yourself. At $40,000-$50,000 Mitsubishi is entering highly competitive waters, but we think they will find plenty of buyers. After all, the Evo has never been afraid of a little competition.

Gallery: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading New-for-2010 Mitsubishi Evo MR Touring pricing announced, starts at $40,990

New-for-2010 Mitsubishi Evo MR Touring pricing announced, starts at $40,990 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nearly 7,000 2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Ralliart, and Sportback Ralliart models recalled over fuel pipe crack concerns

Michael Harley — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart - Click above for high-res gallery

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a recall of potentially 6,903 Lancer Evolution, Ralliart, and Sportback Ralliart vehicles fitted with 2.0-liter turbocharged engines falling between model year 2008 and 2009. According to the report, running the engine at certain speeds over time may cause a damaging vibration that could lead to a stress crack in the fuel pipe (the fuel return pipe is apparently improperly attached to the engine). If a crack does develop, the resulting fuel leakage could cause a fire.

Dealers will be instructed to replace the fuel pipe with a new component and add two new additional attachment brackets to lessen the effects of vibration. Of course, all of this work will be performed free of charge. Owners of the recalled Mitsubishi vehicles may contact the manufacturer at 1-888-648-7820, contact the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov regarding campaign ID 09V349000.

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Nearly 7,000 2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Ralliart, and Sportback Ralliart models recalled over fuel pipe crack concerns

Nearly 7,000 2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Ralliart, and Sportback Ralliart models recalled over fuel pipe crack concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fixed It Again, Tony: Fiat previews new Frankfurt-bound Punto Evo

Noah Joseph — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat

Fiat Punto Evo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mention the name "Evo" around any car nut, and the first car to come to mind will undoubtedly be the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. But before the Japanese got their hands on the term, the Italians used it to distinguish some seriously fast variations on some already seriously fast cars. The Evoluzione tag has been slapped on everything from the gravel-munching Lancia Delta Integrale to the track-bound Ferrari FXX, the supercar-breeding 288 GTO, and various hotted-up iterations of the Mercedes-Benz 190 E to name just a few. Now, Fiat has unearthed the performance handle for the latest revision of its core product, the Grande Punto.

Unfortunately, the new Punto Evo is no fire-breathing Abarth version, it's just a humble revision of Fiat's bread-and-butter. Visually, the Punto Evo is distinguished from the Grande Punto it replaces by revised bumpers and lights, growing barely an inch in length while the other dimensions stay the same. The interior, however, has been thoroughly revised, and it features a new touchscreen info-tainment system made in collaboration with both Microsoft and Tom Tom.

And while the Punto may not be getting any new Evo-worthy powerplants, the engine range has been updated to include the company's new Multiair engine (also featured in the Alfa MiTo) that directly controls airflow and combustion rates in each individual cylinder to optimize power delivery, emissions and fuel consumption. We'll be on hand to bring you the new Punto Evo live from the Frankfurt Motor Show where it's set to debut next month, but in the meantime, you can check out the press releases after the jump and the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Fiat Punto Evo

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Fixed It Again, Tony: Fiat previews new Frankfurt-bound Punto Evo

Fixed It Again, Tony: Fiat previews new Frankfurt-bound Punto Evo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear Preview: Clarkson and company destroy Mitsubishi Evo on army base

Chris Shunk — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Mitsubishi, UK, Celebrities

Jeremy Clarkson kills a Mitsubishi Evo - Click above for high-res gallery

The automotive enthusiast world is waiting with bated breath to see what the chaps at Top Gear have up their clever sleeves for season 13. So far, we know that TG will be cutting back on the fancy a bit, as the wildly popular British car show has been handed a substantial budget cut.

One thing that doesn't cost much at all is creativity, and team Top Gear has free thought in spades. Photos captured during shooting show that Jeremy Clarkson is up to his old tricks, as he takes a perfectly good Mitsubishi Evo and manages to get it torn to shreds in front of the cameras - reportedly with the aid of the British Army. Perhaps the TG gang wanted to go back to the well after the smash hit that was the Ford Fiesta invasion with the Royal Marines. In the end, though, the Fiesta came out no worse for wear, while we can already see that someone or something tried the hard way to convert the turbocharged Mitsubishi into a drop-top. Click on the gallery below for more shots of Clarkson and the hapless Evo.

Gallery: Top Gear Series 13 Evo

[Source: Lancer Register]

Top Gear Preview: Clarkson and company destroy Mitsubishi Evo on army base originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 coming to the UK in June

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Mitsubishi, UK

Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 has been rumored for months and its finally ready for its close-up before sales begin in the UK this June.

In keeping with its NSFW nomenclature, the FQ400 is putting out 403 hp at 6,500 rpm, with peak torque - 387 lb-ft of the stuff - arriving at an oh-so-usable 3,500 rpm. The extra grunt is thanks to a set of high-flow fuel injectors and a new turbo with low friction bearings, an uprated thrust bearing and high temperature turbine that Mitsubishi insists will keep turbo lag at bay. A new intercooler helps bring down the charge, a new ECU works its binary magic and a three-inch stainless steel exhaust exits at the center of the restyled bumper, complete with carbon fiber diffuser.

The exterior benefits from a carbon fiber front fascia, side skirts and rear wing, along with the Sonic the Hedgehog "Vortex Generator" mounted on the roof. The ride height has been dropped by 30 mm with a revised set of Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs, each hidden from view by front Alcon brakes and 18-inch, nine-spoke wheels shod in super sticky Toyo Proxes R1R rubber.

In addition to all go-fast bits, the FQ400 is fully loaded with Bluetooth connectivity, 30-gig hard drive, sat-nav and privacy glass, along with a carbon fiber gear knob and matching handbrake handle.

Mitsubishi claims the FQ400 will hit 62 mph in 3.8 seconds, impressive considering the cost of entry across the pond is a cool £49,999.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400

Continue reading Officially Official: Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 coming to the UK in June

Officially Official: Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 coming to the UK in June originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Lexus IS F Evolution coming next summer, not-for-U.S. price

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus, Rumormill, Specialty

Progress to create a hotter, lighter Lexus IS F is ongoing, and according to recent reports from Japan, the IS F Evolution is slated to arrive in the summer of 2010.

Details on the Evolution are still unconfirmed, but as reported previously, Lexus is focusing more on weight reduction and handling than it is on power modifications. According to 7Tune, the harder IS F is likely to shed over 300 pounds, dropping the overall curb weight to around 3,400 pounds. Carbon fiber will be used extensively both inside and out, with more prominently blistered fenders fore and aft, and the costly weave used liberally throughout the interior, including the console and seats. Output will rise to around 422 hp and carbon-ceramic brakes are rumored to be fitted at all four corners. A total of 500 examples will be available worldwide, but with a price of around $250,000 U.S., most Evolutions will be sold in Japan.

If our green tea leaf reading is correct, we'd expect the Evolution to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this year, although judging by the price, don't expect it to be available on U.S. shores.

[Source: 7Tune]

Rumormill: Lexus IS F Evolution coming next summer, not-for-U.S. price originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus IS F Evolution still rumored to be in the works

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Lexus

Lexus' attempt at a serious sports sedan has done its best to win hearts and minds, but that doesn't mean the IS F will soldier on unchanged through the economic Armageddon. Following up on a story that surfaced this time last year, Japan's Best Car magazine is reporting that although the Lexus IS F Evolution was initially delayed, Toyota is forging ahead with its hotter IS, and two test mules are currently undergoing testing across the Pacific.

Originally, the IS F Evolution was rumored to be packing a tweaked version of the 5.0-liter V8 putting out approximately 435 hp, however, Lexus has decided to keep the engine the same and instead focus on weight reduction, handling mods and brake upgrades.

The front and rear bumpers, along with the front fenders, will supposedly be swapped out with carbon fiber pieces, while wider wheels coated in 245/35R19 rubber in front and 275/30R19 in the rear will cover new carbon ceramic brakes. A few new exterior hues will be available, while the interior will benefit from even more carbon fiber and a set of matching Recaro bucket seats.

All told, Best Car estimates a weight reduction of around 300 pounds and a price upwards of $180,000, making the Lexus IS F Evolution a JDM-only affair.

[Source: Best Car via 7Tune]

Lexus IS F Evolution still rumored to be in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UPDATE: Production of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X skipped for 2009 in U.S.

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Mitsubishi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Evolution X

Mitsubishi has put production of the Lancer Evolution X on hold, saying there's enough inventory to make it through the end of the year when the 2010 model is released. Mitsubishi spokesperson Christine Jew told KickingTires that no changes were planned for the 2009 model, but the 2010 variant would benefit from a few minor revisions. Inventory tracking through Cars.com confirms that there are plenty of Evos available (887 2008 models, to be specific), but that doesn't mean the new Evo X is a flop; sales of Mitsu's rally rocket were up over 50% in 2008.

UPDATE: We spoke with Christine from Mitsubishi about Evo production, and it's hardly a "halt." The 2009 Evo will continue to be produced for Canada and Puerto Rico, so Mitsubishi is only skipping the U.S. market for the 2009 model year. As some of you pointed out, this is primarily due to the late launch the Evo received last year. The 2010 model will go on sale this summer and will feature some "minor," undisclosed tweaks.

Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

[Source: KickingTires]

UPDATE: Production of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X skipped for 2009 in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 coming with 405 hp

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Sedan, Mitsubishi, UK

Click above for a gallery of the 2010 Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400

Autocar snagged a handful of pics and some initial specs of the UK-only Mitsubishi Evolution X FX-400, and as suspected, the hotter Evo is a road-going version of the ADR Motorsport-prepared sedan that successfully campaigned this past September in the 24-Hour Britcar Championship.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4B11 will put out approximately 405 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to a new turbo, retuned ECU and center-exit exhaust. As opposed to the outgoing FQ400, the Evo X-based model won't use a race clutch, so puttering around town should be bit more bearable, and due to the FQ400's prodigious output, the twin-clutch SST gearbox - which can't handle more than 331 lb.-ft. of torque - won't be used. Despite this, expect the FQ400 to lay down 0-60 times of around 3.5 seconds, 0.6 seconds faster than the Evo X FQ360.

In addition to six-pot calipers, upgraded brakes and 18-inch wheels, the FQ400 will feature a new aero kit that includes additional cooling intakes, vents, a larger air intake in the hood and ducts cut into the side skirts to aid rear brake cooling. Production will be limited to 100 units, unless demand calls for more, but considering the price - between £45,000 and £50,000, or £14,500 more than the FQ-360 - 100 examples should just about do it.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400

[Source: Autocar]

Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 coming with 405 hp originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: World Record for doing donuts fast

Chris Shunk — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Mitsubishi

The donut is one of the more worthless automotive exercises on the planet, but for some reason doing them gives us undeniable joy. One gentleman in the UK has perfected the donut to the point that of world record status. Russ Swift is already famous for automotive feats like the fastest-ever J-turn and the Guinness record for tightest parallel park. Now Swift has added the fastest time to complete ten donuts. Hit the jump to view Swift complete ten 360-degree turns in an Evo over a mere 16.07 seconds. As an added bonus, the folks at Guinness also added video of Mr. Swift's other record-setting automotive feats, which may be cooler than the donut record itself.

[Source: Zercustoms]

Continue reading VIDEO: World Record for doing donuts fast

VIDEO: World Record for doing donuts fast originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 gets the green light

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Sedan, Europe, Mitsubishi, UK

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Evolution X MR

It was only a matter of time before Mitsubishi's British engineers tired of relentlessly beating the FQ300 and FQ360 versions of their homegrown Evos. So it's no surprise that after a 400-hp version of the Evo X successfully campaigned in the Britcar Championship, Mitsubishi finally gave the go-ahead to its crack team of in-house tweakers to produce a road going version for public consumption. The FQ400 is on its way.

If the Mitsu team holds true to the original ADR Motorsport-developed Evo, expect a new turbocharger, exhaust manifold and fuel system, along with a reworked ECU to make use of the extra boost and petrol. Naturally, output will be related to the FQ400's name, with 400hp being delivered to all four wheels through a manual gearbox. A top speed of 170 mph and a 0-60 time of around 3.5 seconds shouldn't be too hard to achieve, and with a reworked suspension, upgraded brakes and some aerodynamic enhancements, Lambo owners should think twice before cutting the FQ400 off at their first track day at Silverstone. Pricing hasn't been released yet, but expect the Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 to crest the £45,000 mark when it goes on sale next year in the UK.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR

[Source: AutoExpress]

Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 gets the green light originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, Mitsubishi

2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here's a revelation: being stuck in traffic sucks. And it's even more infuriating behind the wheel of an Evo.

Despite what some scribes might lead you to believe, the Evos of yore (VIII and IX) weren't deplorable daily drivers. Granted, Mitsu's engineers erred on the stiff side with the Evo's ride, and it didn't help that the tiller provided more feedback than a Metallica sound check. But the real reason jaded journos harped on the old Evo's workaday unfriendliness was because nothing is more frustrating than piloting concentrated adrenaline in a sea of buzzkill.

With the 2008 Evolution X, Mitsubishi attempted to rectify some of the Evo's (perceived) shortcomings by equipping the range-topping MR with more amenities, more sound-deadening material, a more compliant ride and a new twin-clutch transmission to balance back-road thrills with daily livability.

But all those extras have caused the Evo's curb weight to skyrocket, and its price tag has followed suit. For $42,000 - the sticker on our MR tester - you can get your hands on the new yardstick for high-end, entry-level performance: the BMW 335i. While that kind of wallet shock could ostracize the Evo's core demographic, Mitsubishi is quick to point out that the new MR is for the discerning enthusiast: a more sensible, mature owner. But does mature mean infirmed? Read on to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR

Continue reading Review: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR

Review: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Mitsubishi Evo X

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Mitsubishi

Click for a hi-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Evo X

Some cars look bad-ass, while others have a bad-ass image. The latest Mitsubishi Evo ticks both boxes, and ticks them off with a big X. Despite being based on the run-of-the-mill, work-a-day Lancer sedan, the Evo X has all the attitude you could ask from a performance icon, with the actual performance to back it up.

With the Evolution X now upon us, Mitsubishi has released no fewer than 35 new jumbo images of the beast, which we've added to our ever-growing high-resolution gallery for a total of 89 images to thrash your desktop into submission. Check out what happens when the Evo comes to town by clicking the thumbnails below.

Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Pics Aplenty: Mitsubishi Evo X originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Evo MR and lightweight Subaru STI Spec-C coming

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Mitsubishi, Subaru

Click either image for a high-res rendering of each model at AutoExpress.

Mitsubishi and Subaru are entering round two of the newest battle for all-wheel-drive supremacy and AutoExpress has ringside seats. Both automakers are preparing hard-core versions of their turbocharged, rally-bred road rockets and that means more power, more aerodynamic mods and, in the case of Subaru, less weight.

The Lancer Evolution X MR is on the way, with a new fascia equipped with extra venting and a new air intake, while a revised rear wing, side skirts and blacked-out wheels complete the exterior makeover. Output is increased by 20 hp (in JDM spec) to 305 hp and the mid-range has been tweaked to provide more low-end torque, dropping the 0-60 time to under five seconds. The paddle-shifted SST twin-clutch transmission transfers over from the GSR model (likely with some software revisions) and the body has been stiffened to maximize the MR's handling.

Subaru is taking a different tack, keeping power upgrades to the STI's turbo'd 2.5-liter boxer to a minimum and instead focusing on weight reduction. The Impreza WRX STI Spec C will get a slightly revised aero kit, with a roof scoop (functional?), standard gold wheels, a lightweight roof, aluminum trunk lid, compact battery, smaller fuel tank and thinner compartment glass all around. All that work is expected to result in a 154-pound drop in weight, so the Spec C will tip the scales at just over 3,000 pounds.

Subaru is also planning to equip the new Legacy with the STI's drivetrain, a revised suspension and slapping on an "S402" badge on the back, along with a sporting interior with more grippy seats. All of this is only for JDM consumption at the moment, but we'd expect to see both the MR and Spec C hit the UK next year, with sales in the U.S. of the MR coming around the same time.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Mitsubishi Evo MR and lightweight Subaru STI Spec-C coming originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canada finally gets the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Merritt Johnson — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:07:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Mitsubishi, Canada

Click image for a gallery of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

When the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution made its North American debut in 2003, folks in Canada were left out in the cold. The diamond star vehicle's bumper design and intercooler placement did not meet Canada's low speed impact regulations. Fortunately for the land of maple leaves, Mitsubishi considered their plight when designing the new-generation 2008 Lancer Evolution. As is the case with many automobiles imported to Canada, the Evo meets the stringent bumper standards through the inclusion of a plastic bumper guard. A loyal reader sent us photos from the Canadian International Auto Show to illustrate the necessary modification. From a side profile, the almost 2-inch-thick extension above the rear diffuser has the appearance of a diaper, as it awkwardly protrudes out from the rear bumper. For your consideration, we have included picture galleries of the Canadian model along with the images from the car's US release at the end of the post.

The bumper guard isn't the only extra tacked onto the Evo in Canada. There's also a bit of a price disparity that comes with it. The Canadian Evo GSR is set at $42,993, a $10,003 difference from US-market pricing, while the WRX STI, including navigation, is priced at $46,590 -- a difference of $7,121. Fans of the Subaru WRX STI can also note that, unlike the Evo, the new Canadian scoobies do not require added stick-ons. The matter may not sway the diehard Mitsubishi fan, but it might not be enough to win over those on the cusp.

Thanks for the tip Marc!

Gallery: 2008 Canadian Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Canada finally gets the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche 997 GT3 RS named 2007 EVO Car of the Year

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Porsche

EVO magazine has picked its Car of the Year Winner: the Porsche GT3 RS, which we're going to call The Orange Crush from now on. It only just beat out the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, and had only slightly more breathing between it and the third place Audi R8. Looking at the entire top ten list, two race-cars-for-the-street beat eight other cars with nifty little features like power windows and leather seats, which makes sense, but even cars like the 350Z and Mini Cooper S Works still made it on the list.

However, the most interesting result could be that the Honda Civic Type R came in sixth... one spot ahead of the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. We have no idea what their exact criteria was, not having read the article, but it appears that at EVO, raging bulls should be a little more ... civic.

[Source: German Car Scene]

Porsche 997 GT3 RS named 2007 EVO Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Revealed: Ferrari FXX Evoluzione

Noah Joseph — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 20:18:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Ferrari

click above image to view high-res gallery of the Ferrari FXX Evoluzione

Following earlier reports, Ferrari unveiled a new, modified version of the super-Enzo during this past weekend's Ferrari World Finals at its Mugello race track in Italy. As the name suggests, FXX Evoluzione is a further evolution of the FXX program that places "client test drivers" (i.e. obscenely wealthy Ferrari aficionados playing Schumacher) behind the wheel of developmental test beds to try out new equipment for Ferrari. In fact, Schumacher himself was reportedly on hand to unveil the car, having sporadically participated in the program over the past two years.

The FXX Evoluzione picks up where the "ordinary" FXX program left off, extending the program by an additional two years, based on an even more radical version of the track-only machine. With 35,000 kilometers worth of telemetry from the 20 cars, engineers compiled a series of tweaks to sharpen the car's capabilities. Output is boosted to a staggering 860 HP, redline is up to a shrieking 9,500 rpm, and shift times are down to a lightning-fast 60 milliseconds. The traction control system has been modified to be less invasive, more adaptable and can be adjusted in-cockpit on the fly between nine distinct settings from corner to corner. Suspension geometry has been modified, as has the aerodynamic package, which, along with fresh livery, accounts for a slightly different appearance compared to the previous version.

The result of all these and a few other small modifications (which you can read about in detail in the press release after the jump) means that the FXX Evoluzione can now lap the company's private Fiorano test track two seconds faster than its predecessor at 1 min 16 sec. The kit can be retrofitted to any of the 20 FXXs that took place in the program until now, and includes participation in a renewed program that will take these most extreme machines to two events each in North America, Europe and Asia (for a total of eight track events) each year over the next two years. Money may not be able to buy you happiness, but it can buy you a seat as a Ferrari test driver, which sounds like happiness to us.

[Source: Ferrari]

Gallery: Ferrari FXX Evoluzione

Continue reading Revealed: Ferrari FXX Evoluzione

Revealed: Ferrari FXX Evoluzione originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Oct 2007 20:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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