CD Article: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:


It may be a little bigger, a little roomier and a little quieter inside, but the Evo is still very much a rally car at heart, says contributor Laurance Yap..."with hair-trigger responsiveness, and awesome performance."

 More:
Read the article | View the photos | All The Test Drives

[Giant Dwarf]

Laurance writes, "The trunk is large and there are plenty of storage spaces and cupholders scattered about the cabin for everyday detritus."

The MR on display at the Toronto Auto Show had a ridiculously small trunk.  In the interest of weight balance, Mitsu's engineers moved the battery and washer fluid resevoir to the trunk, along with a silly-big subwoofer.  The trunk space appeared barely larger than that in my MX-5!

[carcrazy]

Why do some reviewers make parallels between the Evo and some luxury brands on the price point alone? Evo is a performance not a luxury car. Evo would probably run circles around a G35 on the track, on gravel and on any other type of road. The luxury appointments and the 306 hp in the G35 most likely wouldn't help much to keep up with the Evo. Same applies most likely for any regular A4 or 3-Series. I don't think anyone would cross shop the Evo with the A4, 3-Series or G35.
Evo and STi are in a league of their own.

[Rolling]

Laurance writes, "The trunk is large and there are plenty of storage spaces and cupholders scattered about the cabin for everyday detritus."

The MR on display at the Toronto Auto Show had a ridiculously small trunk.  In the interest of weight balance, Mitsu's engineers moved the battery and washer fluid resevoir to the trunk, along with a silly-big subwoofer.  The trunk space appeared barely larger than that in my MX-5!

Actually Giant Dwarf all the changes/modifications you noticed/commented about on the MR model “ARE” desirable in this kind of car, and model. They all improve in what you seem to also realize is the true goal of the EVO engineer’s, and that’s to improve its balance/ drive quality and not its interior space and trunk size.

I don’t think anyone who buys an EVO will be adding too much cargo that may affect their driving enjoyment.

Can’t wait to see what the Twin Clutch SST transmission will do in the EVO. I’m hoping it will also have a “Full Auto” mode so I’ll have an excuse, and convince my wife that she can test drive one with me.

[dorin]

Laurance writes, "The trunk is large and there are plenty of storage spaces and cupholders scattered about the cabin for everyday detritus."

The MR on display at the Toronto Auto Show had a ridiculously small trunk.  In the interest of weight balance, Mitsu's engineers moved the battery and washer fluid resevoir to the trunk, along with a silly-big subwoofer.  The trunk space appeared barely larger than that in my MX-5!

Actually Giant Dwarf all the changes/modifications you noticed/commented about on the MR model “ARE” desirable in this kind of car, and model. They all improve in what you seem to also realize is the true goal of the EVO engineer’s, and that’s to improve its balance/ drive quality and not its interior space and trunk size.

Oh really?  How the hell does a silly-big subwoofer improve the driving balance/quality of the MR and why is it desirable over more useful trunk space?

[tpl]

Loud  sound systems are NEVER desirable in a car IMHO. (well maybe if they are used to play Mahler) To me they are a good excuse for the driver to be arrested and the car torched. 

But having the battery in the trunk away from engine heat is a good idea.

[quadzilla]

Laurance writes, "The trunk is large and there are plenty of storage spaces and cupholders scattered about the cabin for everyday detritus."

The MR on display at the Toronto Auto Show had a ridiculously small trunk.  In the interest of weight balance, Mitsu's engineers moved the battery and washer fluid resevoir to the trunk, along with a silly-big subwoofer.  The trunk space appeared barely larger than that in my MX-5!

Actually Giant Dwarf all the changes/modifications you noticed/commented about on the MR model “ARE” desirable in this kind of car, and model. They all improve in what you seem to also realize is the true goal of the EVO engineer’s, and that’s to improve its balance/ drive quality and not its interior space and trunk size.

Oh really?  How the hell does a silly-big subwoofer improve the driving balance/quality of the MR and why is it desirable over more useful trunk space?

Also, what does any of this have to do with GD's comment about the trunk not being large. It is or it isn't. That is why real numbers should be used, not words like large or medium sized.

From the Mits website:

Trunk = 6.9L  or 195cf

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca/Lancer_Evolution/Specifications.aspx

Which I think is a typo as it should be 6.9cf or 195L.

Miata 5.2 cf
Impreza 11.2 (sedan)
Toyota Corolla is 12.3 cf

So really 6.9 cf is far from large.

[Jameel]

Do you guys think this car will sell well? 

$47,000 for the MR, that's a lot of money.

[Rolling]

Laurance writes, "The trunk is large and there are plenty of storage spaces and cupholders scattered about the cabin for everyday detritus."

The MR on display at the Toronto Auto Show had a ridiculously small trunk.  In the interest of weight balance, Mitsu's engineers moved the battery and washer fluid resevoir to the trunk, along with a silly-big subwoofer.  The trunk space appeared barely larger than that in my MX-5!

Actually Giant Dwarf all the changes/modifications you noticed/commented about on the MR model “ARE” desirable in this kind of car, and model. They all improve in what you seem to also realize is the true goal of the EVO engineer’s, and that’s to improve its balance/ drive quality and not its interior space and trunk size.

Oh really?  How the hell does a silly-big subwoofer improve the driving balance/quality of the MR and why is it desirable over more useful trunk space?

Also, what does any of this have to do with GD's comment about the trunk not being large. It is or it isn't. That is why real numbers should be used, not words like large or medium sized.

From the Mits website:

Trunk = 6.9L  or 195cf

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca/Lancer_Evolution/Specifications.aspx

Which I think is a typo as it should be 6.9cf or 195L.

Miata 5.2 cf
Impreza 11.2 (sedan)
Toyota Corolla is 12.3 cf

So really 6.9 cf is far from large.

I don’t think I was concentrating on the speaker. But if someone were to order the EVO with the Subwoofer where else would Mitsubishi put it? It’s where most other manufactures would put the Subwoofer.

The point I’m making is it’s not the back of the car and its “trunk space” that will be most important to the people who buy this car. It will be what’s inside the front of the car, and how this car will drive.

[quadzilla]

The point I’m making is it’s not the back of the car and its “trunk space” that will be most important to the people who buy this car. It will be what’s inside the front of the car, and how this car will drive.

I'm sure for some people that is true. For myself, this car would come off my list as I need a real trunk no matter how great the engine is.

[The Mighty Duck]

Do you guys think this car will sell well? 

$47,000 for the MR, that's a lot of money.

I don't think Mitsu will have any trouble meeting their sales targets.  It likely wold never sell in the same volume as a 3-series, but Mitsu will be able to move enough units, I'm sure. 

[safristi]

..C'mon fellas ......IT'S A NICHE CAR..treat it as Such........like all those in the CATEGORY...practicality shouldn''t EVEN BE ON THE LIST if your shopping in this ARENA.....sheeeshhh......

[initial_D]

All-Seasoned and multi purpose Rice Rocket!

Loved the Lan_EVO since forever, finally able to see them on the roads here.

[Giant Dwarf]

Rolling, I never said relocating those weighty objects to the trunk to better balance the car wasn't a good performance idea, but it DOES go against what the article's author had stated.  That was my purpose in raising the issue.  The tiny trunk does make me somewhat reconsider this car as a possible purchase for me in the future.

The replacement for my current car will need to serve occasional double-duty for the family on short trips from time to time, and with a very negligible trunk, its otherwise, all-season super car appeal is somewhat diminished.

I will continue to cross-shop against comparably-priced BMWs instead.  I'm sure I'm not the only one looking for the most performance for year-round duty at a certain pricepoint, am I?  Doesn't matter if it's a 135i or an Evo or G35S, I'm looking for relative bang-for-the-buck.

[safristi]

..banging relatives fer a BUCK only works in Appalachia..............

[Mattesa_]

Do you guys think this car will sell well? 

$47,000 for the MR, that's a lot of money.

I don't think Mitsu will have any trouble meeting their sales targets.  It likely wold never sell in the same volume as a 3-series, but Mitsu will be able to move enough units, I'm sure. 

I don't think Subaru had a problem moving the $50K Sti off the lots (did they?).  At $42k and similar performance, this thing seems to be a relative bargain.

[The Mighty Duck]

I will continue to cross-shop against comparably-priced BMWs instead.  I'm sure I'm not the only one looking for the most performance for year-round duty at a certain pricepoint, am I?  Doesn't matter if it's a 135i or an Evo or G35S, I'm looking for relative bang-for-the-buck.

STI?

[Cortina]

Do you guys think this car will sell well? 

$47,000 for the MR, that's a lot of money.

I rather a BMW.

[Turbo Bob]

Why do some reviewers make parallels between the Evo and some luxury brands on the price point alone? Evo is a performance not a luxury car. Evo would probably run circles around a G35 on the track, on gravel and on any other type of road. The luxury appointments and the 306 hp in the G35 most likely wouldn't help much to keep up with the Evo. Same applies most likely for any regular A4 or 3-Series. I don't think anyone would cross shop the Evo with the A4, 3-Series or G35.
Evo and STi are in a league of their own.

I would cross shop all of these... If you think an A4 is a luxury car, you haven't lived! 

And everyone get over the boot space thing, it's a performance car that just happens to have passenger seats and more boot space than a lotus, it's not supposed to be a family load lugger.  It only has a boot so that you can convince your other half that it's not just for you! 

[safristi]

 So HALF a BOOTY is all ya CRAVE!!!!............... say it ain't so...