2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution on Bring a Trailer Was the Last of Its Kind
Posted by Brenicememinge02@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 49 comments
Posted by Brenicememinge02@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 49 comments
WhiteBanana101@reddit
yeah the 3G was where it started going wrong. went from an icon with AWD turbo to a front-drive parts-bin coupe in one generation. almost impressive how fast they undid everything.
stoned-autistic-dude@reddit
I remember all the Evo XIII/IX guys absolutely shitting on the X when it came out because of the aluminum block. It’s funny seeing the tides shifting because of nostalgia. Watch this happen with the 400Z in 10-15 years. “Why didn’t anyone buy this, it was such a great car!”
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
Naw, I still shit on the X. It had zero of the fun, despite being faster.
DarkMatterM4@reddit
I kind of agree. I can powerslide my Evo VIII all day long on track, but an Evo X will have its lunch when the stopwatch beeps.
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
I stopped chasing a clock when I stopped spec racing. Fun is the most important to me. Also why I only ride supermotos anymore and got ride of my sport bike.
Garage4G63@reddit
Disagree, it is a good car. Is it in 8/9 no, but it has plenty of fun of the them and still feels like an evo. In North America, the X was the only way we ever got to experience the true Evo AWD system with AYC.
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
I have driven cars with ayc (both in the diff and lame brake type) and I disagree that it is more fun. I don’t like cars that drive for you. Ended up with an Atom bc it’s as manual as modernish cars get, but for pure throw it sideways fun the 9 was better imo.
DarkMatterM4@reddit
Engine-wise, the 4B11 is inferior to the 4G63. The Evo X is also considerably heavier and less raw than an Evo VIII/IX. That said, an Evo X will demolish an Evo VIII/IX on track. The Evo X even outperforms an R35 on the skidpad. The technological handling witchcraft Mitsubishi put into the Evo X really needs to be felt to be believed. I've driven every fast Mitsubishi that has ever been made, but none of them have ever held the road like an Evo X.
Seymour_Tamzarian@reddit
At least in the circles I frequent the X doesn’t even get a fraction of the respect the VIII/IX still gets.
europeanperson@reddit
The vast majority that say evo x isn’t a “real” evo or make fun of them haven’t ever owned or driven it (maybe a couple joy rides of a buddies car). Tuners/builders or owners who work on both have a much more nuisance take and rightfully respect the evo x. It doesn’t mean they prefer it to the older evos but they don’t have the braindead take of “evo x is trash” or “evos ended after IX”
August_tho@reddit
The only plus I can think of the X having on previous models is mivec on the intake and exhaust side. But otherwise, the turbo is mounted behind the engine on the X (bad) and it loses the 4g63.
It was a no brainer when I bought mine. The "not a real Evo" stems from the loss of the 4g63 which has been a staple in DSMs and Evos since the beginning. Probably a great car, but idk why anyone would choose an X over an XIII or IX given the same quality of choice exists for all generations.
europeanperson@reddit
My brother in boost, thank you for so beautifully demonstrating my exact point that people with evo 8/9 don’t appreciate the evo x because they are not familiar with the platform. While the 4g63 is iconic and reliably proven, it’s outdated. (Not) Surprisingly, a “modern” engine designed in the 2000s is better than one that dates back to the 80s, what a shocker…
The main difference is going to an all-aluminum block (which btw all modern sports engines are nowadays). I’m not going to focus on the weight (although there’s benefit of reducing engine weight out front) since the evo x is a much heavier car, however aluminum does provide much better thermal efficiency, which increases heat transfer to the cooling system to better keep temperatures in check. This is coupled with more modern designed (and better) coolant and oil passageways. The evo x has a significantly better flowing head from the factory. This coupled with Mivec on intake and exhaust side dramatically increases low and mid range power. When you’re looking at your pretty dyno charts, the evo x will have more available power underneath the curves at the same peak hps and provide better response. There’s a lot of minor changes as well as moving to bucket-over-valve design direct valves (eliminated hydraulic lifters and rockers arms) that decreases failures at high rpms, semi-closed block (instead of open) to be better against cylinder wall distortion at high boost, four bolt main cap to ensure crankshaft remains in place (fight against “crank walk”), two-piece oil pan design to help block rigidity to prevent twisting and flexing at high rpm, fully free floating pistons. Lots of these changes eliminate or fix issues with the 4g63 (heads lifting, balance shaft, mains with the cast iron girdle). There’s really so much more and that’s not even touching on the other parts with the engine (an actual decent intercooler from the factory, twin-scroll responsive turbocharger, etc.).
Like you mention, yeah the exhaust side is now on the back of the engine, which makes it a huge pain to work on it (ask anyone who’s changed their exhaust manifold on the evo x…), but there are a few benefits. Those are mainly shorter exhaust pathways and the downpipe no longer runs underneath the oil pan (not great to have hot exhausts heating up your oil), and you can better isolate the heat or the turbo and exhaust in the back of the car with heat shields (instead of it just heating up the entire engine bay).
4g63 main benefits remains that it’s simpler, “ol reliable” and can handle huge power. You can get comically high hp numbers out of that engine but you need to sleeve the 4b11 once you start going past \~450hp. I’d argue that a large chunk of evo owners (maybe even most) just do full bolts on or less, where you wouldn’t be exceeding that 450hp threshold anyway.
This is all not even touching the more advanced AWD system, the chassis stiffness (even the base lancer of the evo x generation is stiffer than an evo 8/9), etc.
You may prefer the evo 8/9, I can’t argue against that, but saying that evo x only selling point is mivec on intake and exhaust and nothing else is just false. There’s really a lot to like in the 4b11 platform if you really dive into it.
Seymour_Tamzarian@reddit
It’s not exactly like people are saying that X is shit, it’s more when an 8/9 pulls into an event, everyone perks up and goes over to check it out, reminiscing and there’s a palpable buzz. But when a X pulls in, there’s much less interest from the crowd.
Bonerchill@reddit
Then they drove it and shat on it for the dynamics.
I have zero interest in a X but if I was wealthy, I’d pay $50k for an early stripper RS with no qualms.
Garage4G63@reddit
Yeah VIII RS is one of a kind, but Evo X isn't bad either
caterham09@reddit
Losing the Evo was more or less the death of Mitsubishi as a whole
Hugh-Jass24@reddit
If you look at the brand with enthusiast goggles than yes. Making a Eclipse Cross was also a slap in the face too. In the era of SUVs and crossovers all they had to do was offer a new updated Montero and keep refreshing the Outlander and Outlander sport to stay competitive. Investing in a flagship car would have been awesome too like a revised 3000GT.
Advanced-Chef-4132@reddit
unfortunately sports cars are not what makes mainstream brands any money
koolkarim94@reddit
No, but sports cars can be used as a halo car to get customers into dealerships.
T-Baaller@reddit
a "0% for 104 months" sign brings more people into a dealer than a sports car.
Aero06@reddit
Mitsubishi nearly went bankrupt in the mid-2000's chasing low-credit buyers with zero interest offers, chasing the lowest denominator isn't a sound strategy in the long term.
MumpsyDaisy@reddit
Their 0-0-0 deal is something everybody should look up because it's so absurd it's hard to believe it was real. Zero down zero interest zero payments for twelve months.
PedanticBoutBaseball@reddit
Honestly that's so ridiculous, as someone who DOES make a fair living, getting 0% interest, not having a payment for 12 months, and not having to put anything down is a sick opportunity to invest that money in something, anything for 12-months to recoup the depreciation.
-insignificant-@reddit
I've always heard this but is this true in modern times? Does anyone actually go to a dealership because they see a fancy sports car parked outside? Half the times sales people won't let you even touch them, let alone get a chance to drive them.
MasterofPeridots@reddit
Well, it's not like Mitsubishi is a big mainstream player either.
ShadyDrunks@reddit
Doesn’t directly make money but it attracts customers
No one goes to BMW or Mercedes to buy an X1 or an A220, they want an M or AMG, but the finance guy says no to the M or AMG, and the sales guy proceeds to use his powers to fuck over some poor sod with an insane loan on a dogshit vehicle
Tripp723@reddit
No but having legendary lines of cars increases the brands overall prestige and that's huge.
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
That’s true. However, Mitsubishi even killed their halo SUV model Pajero/Montero. That decision made more fans left their loyalty.
jmacnj609@reddit
Yeah boxy suvs are popular and sell at a premium
the_bananalord@reddit
Their death was already well underway in North America but their demise should be studied in business schools. What they had in the 90s vs. where they were 20 years later is insane.
BrandonNeider@reddit
the factory is just set to making hvac equipment, eventually they'll change again and make cool cars again, or war planes who knows
Drzhivago138@reddit
In the US, at least. But Mitsubishi globally is a lot more than cars.
Euler007@reddit
Yeah because the Evo was such a cash cow for Mitsubishi. Real life ain't Gran Turismo.
narcistic_asshole@reddit
IIRC that's around the time they got absorbed by Nissan and Renault. They had been treading water financially for over a decade by that point, but they've been in automotive purgatory since that merger
olov244@reddit
evo 8/9 > evo10
I'll die on that hill
Wanabevo@reddit
As time goes on people will look more fondly on the Evo X Or maybe I’m biased
Garage4G63@reddit
We would get along quite well if we were to meet, I am biased too.
europeanperson@reddit
Such an underrated car, the looks and performance still stand up to this day imo, which is kind of wild given the car came out back in 2008.
Grayly@reddit
It wasn’t quite the last of its kind, it was close. One of the last democratized legitimate track cars. STI died not too long later, and the Focus RS came and went pretty quickly. The GR Corolla comes close but it’s just doesn’t feel as quick or alive. The Golf R isn’t cheap and feels too clinical.
I’ve let a few folks drive my Focus RS at autocross and the most common feedback I get is it feels like an EVO. Always wanted to drive one to actually see what they’re talking about, but I’ve never gotten the chance.
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
I have driven the RS and it felt like a much better but less playful car than the 8/9. Vs X maybe. The STI never had the playfulness, either, and was the car I owned for the shortest amount of time.
Garage4G63@reddit
I had an RS, two evo X and an VIII. The 8/X were basically just as fast despite the RS power increase and felt more special. I sold the X for an RS only to fins myself back in X and VIII
hopfield@reddit
How long until a 2021 STI sells on BaT for $100,000?
UmaThurmish@reddit
I miss seeing Evos and Eclipses on the streets
Photon__Sphere@reddit
The early 2000's was such a wild time for these cars. The Evo 8/9, the STI. I still kick myself for selling my Evo 8 back in 2007. I've never been able to capture the feel of the Evo ever since. Granted it was bit more modified than what I had now, it just felt more "raw" and had more character. The RS is close, but I enjoyed the Evo more.
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
I had more fun in my lightly modified 9 than any other car I’ve had, and I have an Atom now. Imo it was the playfulness of the single digit Evos that made them shine. They wanted you to lose your license.
nukacolaguy@reddit
Pour one out for your homie
All seriousness though I really miss the EVO vs WRX days from early 2000s. Throw a Honda s2000 in there and all 3 are top tier dream cars for me 😂 I owned a 2004 WRX for quite some time and miss that thing everyday
WhiteBanana101@reddit
The Evo X going out on a BaT listing really is full circle. That car deserved better — Mitsubishi had the engineering, had the fanbase, had the motorsport credibility from WRC, and just... walked away from all of it. The Eclipse Cross was the clearest sign they weren’t interested in enthusiasts anymore. At least the last Evos will be taken care of by people who actually give a damn.
Seymour_Tamzarian@reddit
Ehhh…. The 3G Eclipse really set the tone even before the Cross.
Going from the rowdy, awd, turbo charged 2G to the watered down fwd turd of a V6 3G already showed Mitsubishi’s true colors.
WhiteBanana101@reddit
100% — the 3G was the first real "what are they doing" moment. FWD, V6 optional, lost the whole point of what made the Eclipse the Eclipse. By the time the 4G showed up with its SUV proportions it was basically over. The Cross was just the formal announcement.