It’s weird to think that Mitsubishi, of all companies, would take an entry-level sedan, hop it up to 291 hp (hardly impressive by modern standards), tack an extremely Fast and excessively Furious wing on the trunk and then try and pass it off as a world-beater.
The Lancer Evolution really is a bit of a throwback where philosophy and construction are concerned. But here’s the thing: it works.
Tuck yourself into the Recaro up front and you’ll find that there is no “sport” switch to throw. Suspension is not adjustable on the fly. (With settings for “tarmac,” “gravel” and “snow,” the Super-All Wheel Control system — S-AWC — is just about the only toggle-able system on the car.)
Look in the back and you’ll find that there is a piece of hardboard — a composite wood material — above the spare wheel well, barely concealed by the removable trunk carpet. The “sound dampening enhancement” that comes with the $1,800 sunroof and leather package is an utter lie.
Call all this crudeness; I prefer “simplicity,” and it’s what makes the car so special. Mitsubishi clearly knew where to spend its money here: a sweet motor that enjoys being pushed to the redline, a crisp transmission made even more enjoyable by a springy clutch and grippy bucket seats that make me feel just a little bit like a professional driver. That shameless rear wing and the fact that no one will ever suspect that you’re buying it as status symbol give it that much more cred.
The Lancer Evolution is, in short, nearly everything I want in a car and almost nothing I don’t want. I can’t recall a car I connected with so quickly or had so much fun simply hooning. Planted at high speeds on pavement, it’s also an absolute blast to throw around on gravel. I even learned to love that giant rear wing.
Half-Finnish ancestry notwithstanding, I know I’m not a rally driver — the oh-so-Japanese-sounding Super-All Wheel Control system is what kept me skidding happily down gravel roads and out of the trees. Even so, I felt a sense of accomplishment as I examined the picture-perfect, even mud spray that coated the car from rocker panels almost to window height. The Lancer is one of those cars that look great with a bit of dirt on it.
And it would be irresponsible not to say that the car’s interior looks and feels cheap from any vantage point other than the driver’s seat. Improving interior materials even marginally would make the price tag seem far more reasonable to the average buyer. Not that the average buyer goes hunting for the Evo in the first place…
True enough. Almost any car is bearable for an evening, or even a weekend. But among all the vehicles I’ve had the privilege of evaluating lately, the Lancer Evolution is one of the few that I’d seriously consider buying if/when I have some cash play with. That’s not something I say about many new cars.
