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EVO Magazine Long Term Test: Mitsubishi Evo X FQ-300 SST.....More Exciting Then The M3?
The latest Evo didn’t cover itself with glory in Henry’s twin test with the Impreza STI last issue. Thin power delivery, no steering feel, worrying glimpses of defaulting to the mainstream… these were not promising judgments. Has the Evo line lost its thread?

That same Evo X came straight from its test to join our Fast Fleet, complete with an industrial revolution’s-worth of brake dust and rather less rubber on its tyres than when it left Japan. And complete with dire warnings about its binge-drinking fuel thirst, something seldom mentioned in this magazine (‘pay up and enjoy’ is our usual take on liquid hydrocarbons, but even we were shocked).

Now I, reinforced credit card at the ready, am this Evo’s custodian for six months. I hadn’t read Henry’s test when I took custody, but I already had incomplete opinions of my own. Which were the opposite of Henry’s. I drove an Evo X on the UK launch at the Prodrive test track and thought it brilliant. Executing one of the most sustained and satisfying powerslides I have ever managed not to foul up helped this positive viewpoint. Never has a car second-guessed more accurately what I was hoping to achieve.

I first got into WX08 HHM straight after driving a new M3 saloon for a few days. There’s commonality of purpose here: four doors, massive pace, considerable expense (although at £32K the Evo is the thick end of £20K cheaper). The BMW had been annoying me with its springy driveline, viscous-but-dead steering, kidney-crushing seats and thick, claustrophobic pillars. Great on a car launch or on a track, it lost its allure when asked to be a daily driver.

The Evo X was a crash earthwards for cabin quality, with both dashboard and door casings formed from depressingly hard plastics. The dashboard squeaks, too, except on left-hand bends, so I’ll have to attack the joints with silicone spray. But it took just a couple of roundabouts for the bonding to begin, the Evo flicking through with astonishing speed and seemingly massless agility. It felt invincible.

Being an FQ-300 SST, this one has the lowest-power engine of the new Evo range plus Mitsubishi’s take on a DSG transmission, with bizarrely short gearing and a tardy take-off unless you nail it. Maybe that shortness contributes to the thirst – around 14mpg on the computer after the twin test, 19.6mpg driven deliberately gently between my first two fill-ups, exactly 10mpg at an evo trackday at the Bedford Autodrome. Where does all the fuel go?

But the Evo’s clean, crisp, mechanical-feeling steering is far more satisfying than an M3’s, its cabin is airier, and the SST works very well. The Evo was a delight at the trackday, although my attempt to reach an indicated 130mph at the end of the kilometre straight resulted in a couple of ragged corners immediately afterwards. Yes, I’m bonding with the Evo, and even feel a little defensive towards it. Strange what ownership can do, even when it isn’t really your own.

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dlindlin - 7/5/2008 10:47:58 PM
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Agreed, BMW steering can definitely use more feel. Sometimes I even wonder if it's electric steering than R & P. I'm getting more feedback from the car itself through great suspension set up rather than steering wheel.

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Agent63Agent63 - 7/5/2008 11:29:09 PMView My AgentSpace
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most M3 consumers never actually rip their car around on a track to notice the difference. The EVO I would believe is more exciting because 1) it's cheaper 2) tuners love them 3) owners actually take it to track days


kthorkthor - 7/6/2008 5:09:29 PM
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What a brilliant way to get hits on a Mitsubishi article...Mention BMW!! How silly.


kthorkthor - 7/6/2008 5:13:53 PM
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agent63, BMW has the most active car club in the US and has numerous track events, many club races, as well as SCCA spec racing series. I always see M3's at track events whether they are Porsche events, BMW events, or open events like Speed Ventures or Lapping Days. Drive these two cars back to back. The M3 is in another universe of superiority.


auto001auto001 - 7/7/2008 3:12:52 PM
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dlin, I see you've discovered the famous "BMW wooden steering feel" :)


LexusLexus - 7/6/2008 12:11:19 AM
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Here we again with Agent63, crying about Japanese car because it beat the BMW M3 in a comparison test.

Agent63, just accept the fact that Asian can make a car that is just a good or better than the German.

What the Japanese brand did here is prove you can make affordable sportcar. Off course there are also car who's made of Badge whore as well, got the point? Good!

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Agent63Agent63 - 7/6/2008 3:55:22 AMView My AgentSpace
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LOL.

Look at you you're so offended. I'm not and by the way you have to learn how to read. I'm basing judgment on my experience in my area here. I go to track days but I don't see any M3's. Instead I see imports making the runs.

So who's crying now? Quit attacking me kid it's not going anywhere.


LexuriousLexurious - 7/6/2008 3:59:05 AM
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A63 quit arguing with the lad. He's making us Lexus fans look bad as it is. Everyones entitled to their own comments so screw what people think.


amazinBimmeramazinBimmer - 7/6/2008 10:42:11 AM
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how stupid. comparing this ricer with a clotheline for a spoiler to the icon.. really amazing ignorance from people who cant afford the real deal.. great.. if this car is so great AND affordable, turns out everybody out there is an idiot for not giving a sh*t. idiots.

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TeknikTeknik - 7/6/2008 1:55:30 PMView My AgentSpace
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Learn proper English and grammar, and then maybe someone will understand what you just wrote.

Are all BMW fanboys uneducated like yourself?

Are you a high-school dropout? Just curious...


amazinBimmeramazinBimmer - 7/6/2008 4:51:50 PM
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teknik.. i was in a fit of rage...

now tell me what you drive, loser.?. do you flip hamburgers during the day or during the late shift for an extra 50 cents per hour?

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LexusLexus - 7/6/2008 4:52:55 PM
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Teknik,

English is my third language, my family orgin are from France. And do a favor why do you stop sucking on Agent63 B*LLs would ya? Thanks.

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Agent63Agent63 - 7/6/2008 11:55:54 PMView My AgentSpace
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That's real immature.

Teknik didn't even say anything to me here why are you bashing on him? leave him alone.


MercedesBenz00ZMercedesBenz00Z - 7/7/2008 2:08:27 AM
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"do a favor why do you stop sucking on Agent63 B*LLs would ya?"

What does this mean??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????


JTRacerJTRacer - 7/11/2008 3:02:13 PM
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@kthor

Most of BMW running in SCCA or BMWCCA are two
generations old, probably bought used by experienced
racers. New BMW owners just like to go to those events driving like they are doing sightseeing then tell all their friends they went to the track.

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