2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR review notes

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: At nearly $41,000 as equipped, I hate to call this 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR a poor man's Porsche, but by Porsche pricing standards, it's relevant. And for the money, you get a masterpiece of turbo-blasted, tight-as-a-drum engineering that, like a good all-wheel-drive Porsche, seems intuitively tuned to the pavement (or gravel) and responds instantly to every driver demand.
Maybe the Evolution doesn't deserve a valet parking space up there by the 911s, but you wouldn't know it by the way people check this car out—especially those in the know. The car is definitely something special. And when you're behind the wheel, hammering it in high-revving “super sport” mode, it makes a strong case for Mitsubishi's take on performance vs. the boys from Zuffenhausen. The car is quick, nimble, light on its suspension yet stuck to the pavement like Spiderman, keenly responsive to accelerator, brake and steering inputs. There might not be quite the perfect Porsche steering feel in the Evo, but based on dour reports on the new 911's steering, maybe the Porsche is losing a step. The Evolution's steering has a direct mechanical feel that, on the other hand, only seems to get better.
Before all the haters go bat-crazy, I know an Evo is no Porsche. And I doubt anyone is cross-shopping an Evo vs. a 911 or any other Porsche. But owners of these screaming Mitsubishis can rest easy knowing they own a top-notch piece of performance hardware that, dollar for dollar, is on par with just about anything in the world. On the value equation for enthusiasts, this car is a 10.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: Fun is what the Lancer Evolution MR is. Sure, it rides like a wooden-wheeled wagon on Detroit's streets, and if you have any fillings you should put them in your pocket before you drive, but those are just minor details.
The fact is that this car, maybe even more than the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, feels like a race car. I know it's not, and getting it off the line quickly takes, well, there's really no good way to do it. But from a roll? Watch out.
I'd like to test exactly how many forward Gs it takes for a car to feel “fast.” The Nissan GT-R literally forces your tongue down your throat when you use the launch control. From a roll, the Evo does the same thing. The Evolution isn't too much different, working with less horsepower. At a 10- or 15-mph roll, pounding on the gas will slingshot you forward, sending all important organs to the rear of your body.
It sounds angry, too. Downshifts to five grand and even upshifts at wide-open throttle are rewarded with a menacing growl or a mid-pitched wail.
The flat, wide tires make the Evo handle like a scalpel, and the brakes can slow things down as fast as the engine gets you going. It makes me miss our long-term tester we had a few years ago.
It took me some time to warm up to the body of the Evo X. Now, when I look at the older ones, they seem dated. It's too bad this is the only enthusiast-approved ride from Mitsu. They can definitely do it right. Bring back the Eclipse! And while you're at it, give us another 3000GT.
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR
Base Price: $38,490
As-Tested Price: $40,785
Drivetrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4; AWD, six-speed dual-clutch sequential manual
Output: 291 hp @ 6,500 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,572 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 19/20.0 mpg
Options: Navigation System package including 40GB HDD navigation, music server, real time traffic ($2,295)