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Mitsubishi EvoloutionX

First previewed in 2007, the all-new tenth-generation Lancer Evolution was introduced by Mitsubishi for the 2008 model year, continuing the nameplate's tradition of high performance in a small-displacement four-passenger sedan.

The Evo X is offered in two trim levels. The entry-level GSR is offered with a five-speed manual transmission, Recaro Sport seats and Enkei wheels, as well as optional spoiler, HID headlights, and upgraded sound system.

The upgraded MR includes Mitsubishi's new Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST), Eibach springs and Bilstein shock absorbers, lightweight brake rotors and BBS forged-alloy wheels, and extra sound insulation, as well as optional navigation, upgraded audio with Sirius Satellite reception, and leather seats.

Both trim levels feature the new all-aluminum 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder MIVEC4 motor producing 295 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque and Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) drive system.

The S-AWC system, which regulates torque and braking at each wheel includes a bevy of acronyms: ASC (Active Stability Control), ACD (Active Center Differential), AYC (Active Yaw Control) and Sport ABS, an ABS system designed for aggressive driving. The biggest difference over the outgoing car is the large number of yaw sensors included in the system, all designed to keep the Evo X on its intended path. The S-AWC system can be set for three different road surfaces: tarmac (standard), ice and gravel

The Twin Clutch SST on the MR appears similar to Audi/VW's DSG system; even and odd gears are on separate clutches for rapid-fire shifting and no torque loss between gears. Shifting of the TC-SST is controlled by alloy paddles on the steering wheel or the gear shift lever when in manual mode, and by the engine computer in automatic mode. The system has three modes: Normal, Sport and S-Sport, the latter providing the most aggressive, fast shifts.

Want to potter to the shops, have the auto in 'normal' mode for relaxed revs and changes. Point its nose down a country road, and select sport to hold the revs, and accelerate gear changes. Or stop, hold that button down for S-Sport and she'll hold the revs to the red-line, and change gear so fast your eyes will water. You can also change gear manually using the lever, or the steering wheel-mounted paddles. On this test track S-Sport (for lightning-quick changes) and manual shift proved the way to go - your foot flat as she screamed up through the gears. So good is the system you can make the most of the engine's thrust, the newly-developed unit the same 2.0-litre capacity and boasting the same, 206kW power - but now with 422Nm at 3500rpm, both figures delivered earlier down the rev range. Howling into those lurid bends you soon appreciate this car's balance, its much-increased stiffness - and the further developments to the All Wheel Control system, dubbed S-AWC.

There's active stability control added to the active centre and rear diffs, yaw control and ABS of this car's Evo IX predecessor. With the system active, it'll modulate torque from front to rear, from left to right, keeping you on the road and pointing forwards even under savage provocation. It's incredibly confidence inspiring, which may not be a good thing, as when you do find its limits you'll be far beyond the point of recovery.
Though S-AWC can make you quicker - tested at MMC's Okazaki test track the car lapped 1.5 seconds faster with it operative than without - I preferred to knock the system back, and let the car move beneath me. Select Tarmac, Gravel or snow - it wasn't snowing just then - and tap the AWC switch to reduce intervention. She'll let you cut the wheels loose just a tad, enough to slide round this corner, to wriggle over that yump, and to make you feel gloriously, blood-tingling alive.

It was then that we best appreciated the car's impressive suspension. It's compliant enough for surprising levels of every day comfort, but on this test track it was its ability to keep the rubber to the road at speed, even over truly appalling road surfaces, that was astonishing. We get the high performance pack with the Bilstein dampers and Eibach coil springs - the result sucking the car into the tarmac no matter how wild we got.