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The Basics: Model Mix
The 2008 Lancer Evolution comes in GSR and MR flavors; the stripped and race-ready RS has been dropped. Both cars come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine that produces 291 horsepower and an even 300 lb.-ft. of torque. However, Evo fans already know that this is an all-new engine, and not another variation of the tried-and-true 4G63 engine that has powered Evos since 1992. Instead, this is the 4B11, an aluminum block engine related to the one in the standard Lancer, but developed specifically for high-performance duty in the Evolution.
Both cars also feature Active Center Differential four-wheel drive, an Active Yaw Control rear differential, Active Stability Control and anti-lock brakes. Mitsubishi bundles all this under one roof called Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC), and it is one of the key differences between this Evolution and previous versions.
Despite the similarities, there are significant differences between the GSR an MR, starting with the transmissions. The GSR offers up a five-speed manual transmission, complete with a clutch pedal on the floor and row-your-own shifter mounted between the seats in the traditional spot. We’re a little puzzled that it’s a five speed, especially considering the Evo IX MR came with an excellent six-speed. Still, it’s nothing remarkable and certainly not revolutionary. The new version of the MR gets Mitsubishi’s new Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission, or TC-SST. This is a paddle-shifted automated manual transmission, similar in concept to the Volkswagen/Audi DSG, and it offers three shift programs: Normal, Sport and S-Sport. Other MR-exclusive standard features include Bilstein shock absorbers and Eibach springs, two-piece Brembo brake rotors (the GSR gets one-piece rotors), BBS forged alloy wheels, HID headlights and Bluetooth capability.
Pricing
Final pricing hasn’t been announced, but Mitsubishi did talk some numbers: $34,000 for the GSR and $39,000 for the MR. That’s before options, but with destination. After observing the number of dropped jaws (that’s roughly $5,000 more than the outgoing versions), a little bird with three red diamonds on its chest mentioned that those are conservative pricing targets, not firm numbers, and that they may come down before the final prices are announced. We sure hope so.
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