THE DECISION
Ladieeeez and gentlemen, after three rounds and no knockout, we must go to the judges' cards. It's close, but the decision is unanimous: By virtue of its sharper handling and superior fun factor, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution takes the title of all-wheel-drive, turbo four-cylinder champion.
We can't wait for the rematch.
| | 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION GSR | 2008 SUBARU WRX STI |
| POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS |
| Drivetrain layout | Front engine, AWD | Front engine, AWD |
| Engine type | Turbocharged I-4, alum block/heads | Turbocharged flat-4, alum block/heads |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves/cyl | DOHC, 4 valves/cyl |
| Displacement | 121.9 cu in/1998cc | 149.9 cu in/2457cc |
| Compression ratio | 9.0:1 | 8.2:1 |
| Power (SAE net) | 291 hp @ 6500 rpm | 305 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque (SAE net) | 300 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 290 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Redline | 7000 rpm | 6700 rpm |
| Weight to power | 12.2 lb/hp (est) | 11.0 lb/hp |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Axle/final-drive ratios | 4.69:1/3.57:1 | 3.90:1/2.95:1 |
| Suspension, front; rear | Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar | Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, anti-roll bar |
| Steering ratio | 13.3:1 | 15.0:1 |
| Turns lock-to-lock | 2.3 | 2.8 |
| Brakes, f;r | 13.8-in vented disc; 13.0-in vented disc, ABS | 13.0-in vented disc; 12.6-in vented disc, ABS |
| Wheels, f;r | 8.5 x 18 in, cast aluminum | 8.5 x 18-in cast aluminum |
| Tires, f;r | 245/40R18 93Y Yokohama Advan A13 | 245/40R18 93W Dunlop SP Sport 600 |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 103.3 in |
| Track, f/r | 60.8/60.8 in | 60.2/60.6 in |
| Length x width x height | 177.0 x 71.3 x 58.3 in | 173.8 x 70.7 x 58.1 in |
| Turning circle | 38.7 ft | 36.1 ft |
| Curb weight | 3585 lb | 3356 lb |
| Weight dist., f/r | 56/44% | 58/42% |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom, f/r | 39.6/36.9 in | 40.3/37.6 in |
| Legroom, f/r | 42.2/36.1 in | 43.5/33.5 in |
| Shoulder room, f/r | 54.7/54.3 in | 54.8/53.2 in |
| Cargo volume | N/A | 19.0 cu ft |
| TEST DATA |
| Acceleration to mph |
| 0-30 | 1.6 sec | 1.3 sec |
| 0-40 | 2.6 | 2.3 |
| 0-50 | 3.7 | 3.3 |
| 0-60 | 5.2 | 4.7 |
| 0-70 | 6.9 | 6.3 |
| 0-80 | 9 | 8.2 |
| 0-90 | 11.4 | 10.6 |
| 0-100 | 13.9 | 13.3 |
| Passing, 45-65 mph | 2.8 | 2.7 |
| Quarter mile | 13.8 sec @ 99.3 mph | 13.4 sec @ 100.4 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 111 ft | 106 ft |
| Lateral acceleration | 0.99 g (avg) | 0.94 g (avg) |
| MT figure eight | 25.1 sec @ 0.74 g (avg) | 25.3 sec @ 0.73 g (avg) |
| 1.04-mi road course lap | 57.6 sec | 58.6 sec |
| Top-gear revs @ 60 mph | 2900 rpm | 2400 rpm |
| CONSUMER INFO |
| Base price | $34,000 (est) | $35,640 |
| Price as tested | $34,000 (est) | $39,440 |
| Stability/traction control | Yes/no | Yes/Yes |
| Airbags | Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, driver knee | Dual front, front side, f/r curtain |
| Basic warranty | 3 yrs/36,000 miles | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yrs/60,000 miles | 5 yrs/60,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yrs/Unlimited | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Fuel capacity | 16.9 gal | 14.0 gal |
| EPA city/hwy econ | 16/22 mpg | 17/23 mpg |
| CO2 emissions | 1.06 lb/mile | 1.01 lb/mile |
| MT fuel economy | 16.3 mpg | 15.2 mpg |
| Recommended fuel | Unleaded premium | Unleaded premium |