2008 Mitsubishi Evolution: Official Details

• Competes with: Upcoming Subaru WRX STi, Nissan 350Z
• Looks like: A beefier version of the compact Lancer
• Drivetrain: 295-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or six-speed automated-manual transmission
• Hits dealerships: Early 2008

We’ve gotten official word from Mitsubishi on the next-generation Lancer Evolution that adds to what we found out last week. The turbocharged sedan will indeed have a new engine producing 295 hp and 300 pounds-feet of torque when it arrives at dealerships next year in GSR and MR trims. Mitsubishi has also upgraded its all-wheel-drive system, calling it Super All Wheel Control, which utilizes everything from four-wheel drive to stability control to ABS to torque that’s split 50/50 between the front and rear wheels.

There’s also a new six-speed twin-clutch automated-manual for the MR that uses both a shifter and/or shift paddles to change gears, but there will be no clutch pedal on the floor. Overall, Mitsubishi says the new Evo will be a much better daily driver than the last generation. We just hope that breakneck speed and joy isn’t completely sacrificed. Still, most people can never fully utilize what these types of machines can do unless they go to the track, so maybe taking a bumpy road is a good tradeoff.

The new Evo is a lot stiffer though, and the roof, hood, front fenders, and front and rear bumpers are all lightweight aluminum.

There are more photos below, but what do you think? Is this new Evo too much of a compromise for everyday drivers?

Comments

doesnt look like a competitor to the R32 really...the R32 has all of the performance AND a much nicer interior.

Looks like i could PARK my car in that GRILL!!! LOL

How does it compete with the 350Z? I thought that was competing against the Mustang. So wait this competes against the Mustang?!

Oh I'm sorry what?

It would be interesting to test that six-speed automated-manual transmission. Nice shots!

Looks strikingly similar to the Dodge Neon SRT-4.

The new engine will no longer be 4G63, but a 4B11.

It has been 4 days since I got the news.
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/pressrelease/j/products/detail1682.html

Sorry if you need a translator. :p

I liked the previous Evo, warts and all. The new one has eliminated the warts and looks good to my eyes. As a WRX owner who really doesn't like the new one, I'm going to be taking a close look at the new Evo when it hits the showrooms.

If the new Evo is slightly less hard-core, then that's not really a problem: it won't be long before a multitude of 3rd party products will fix that!

The R32 does not even come close to the EVO performace wise, although the interior in the R32 is nicer than in the EVO

Where are the paddle shifters. The Lancer has them. These photo's don't. Mmmmmm.

350,
The Evo will come in two trims the GSR and MR. The GSR will have a manual, the MR the paddle shifters.

Comparing a R32 with the Evo X? Out of your minds?

Simply a fantastic car.
Greetings

Looks good on the outside. Not a true fan of the mits. familly but want to see the evo's in action. Curious to know if they watered the horsepower down and aren't saying. If there making it more of an everyday car then something has got to be toned down. i own an 07 rx8 and a buddy of mine has a g35 and we both found out that these companies today are now hindering the cars not engine wise but fuel system and computer wise.

the new one looked ugly, me, i liked the 9 and 4. they're just looked sexier, although they're not as powerful than the X, but the look is what all about