2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Review & Ratings

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Dedicated Evo-heads will be the first to tell you that the Evolution MR--for Mitsubishi Racing--Edition we get here is nine-tenths of the Brit-market MR FQ340 (see following story). We don't get the 342-horse engine, Mitsu's Active Yaw Control, smoked front/rear lenses, or the resulting $60,000 pricetag.

Fair enough, but for what Mitsubishi says will be under $35,000, we do get a 276-horsepower turbo four. That's up five horses from last year due to a larger-diameter turbo nozzle and circular wastegate. As with previous non-U.S.-spec Evos, a three-mode (Tarmac, Gravel, Snow) hydraulically controlled center differential is fitted instead of a viscous limited-slip diff. An open front differential is replaced by a helical-type limited-slip unit. Perhaps the biggest gain in driveability comes with the introduction of inverted Bilstein monotube dampers and lighter, forged BBS wheels (2.76 pounds lighter per corner than the Enkei wheels they replace). The agility and compliance of this highly tuned combo is apparent in the first 10 feet of a test drive. Less evident are RS model-like revisions of an aluminum roof and door-side impact beams. A brand-new six-speed manual transmission keeps the revs in the meaty part of the power curve better than the previous car's wide-geared five-speed. Keen spotters will notice the MR-specific interior treatment, badging, and shark's teeth crowning the rear window. Those functional "vortex generators" reduce lift by 35 percent at 110 mph and enhance the rear wing's ability to make downforce (from 68 to about 72 pounds) at the same speed.

Details make the MR Edition special: The 2.0-liter turbo gets a slight boost in horsepower (and even more torque) that's routed through a six-speed to an active center diff with three modes.

Lightweight BBS wheels and new Bilstein dampers get the Evo on three wheels in extreme cornering.