Rally Cars Comparison

Our mission: Wring out these two rally-bred machines at the dragstrip, on the handling course, and at the racetrack, and pick a winner--a dream assignment if these two cars weren't so damned evenly matched.

If you're one of those who skips to the spec chart to see who won, let's save you the paper cuts. You'll find the following differences: 0.0 second to 60 mph, 0.3 second to 100 mph; 0.3 second and 0.1 mph at the quarter mile, 1.0 mph in the slalom, 0.01 g on the skidpad, and 0.39 second a lap on the racetrack. There. Go ahead. Pick a winner.

It's clear the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR and Subaru Impreza WRX STI (that's now a capital "I" for 2006) are optimized to the same formula specified by the WRC rally racing series in which they participate. Almost. The U.S. version of Subaru STI deviates from the maximum 2.0-liter rule by adding a half-liter of engine displacement. Of course, the racing versions of both are tuned, lightened, and upgraded within the rules to withstand the rigors of racing in a wide variety of environments. Other than that, what's built into the foundations of these street cars (especially bodywork above the bumpers) is what's required on the race cars.

For those keeping track, here's a short list of mechanical changes since this duo was last featured in "Hatfields and McCoys" (October 2004). The Evolution MR has gained variable timing (MIVEC) on its intake valves, producing a more generous throttle response at a lower rpm--and it's readily apparent from 3500 rpm and up. The difference isn't as easy as looking at a 2005 versus 2006 MR dyno chart, which shows only marginal changes to the curve.