Special Feature - Mitsubishi Evolution X 2.0 GSR Limited Edition (M)

Nope. This isn't an April Fool's prank. We're wayyyy past April anyway. The local Mitsubishi distributor is really customising their cars to the customer's specification and giving it a warranty! The ride you see here is just an example that the guys at the showroom put together. But if you want, you can specify the parts you'd like to have and the showroom will be more than happy to hook you up. Before we delve more into that, let's talk a little about an Evo I once met™

Evos and WRXs have had a long standing feud since the dawn of time. Much like the ancient rivalry between Man United and Liverpool. To be brutally honest, I'm actually a true blue WRX fan but oddly enough, the maddest car I've ever driven in my short career span as a motoring writer wasn't a WRX but an Evo 9 RS (pictured in gallery) so sinister that just standing next to it will have you peeing in your pants.

Yes, this 800bhp Evo 9 with probably enough torque to move a mountain was THAT scary. Even just sitting in the driver's seat without the engine turned over had me trembling in trepidation of the coming apocalypse. And an apocalyptic chariot it is. I have never known a car with more pent up rage than this matt black machine.

Just the act of turning the engine over is enough to turn most drivers away as the beast attempts to shake you into submission with the vibration from its tightly wound powerplant brimming with angst.

The car is so ear-bleedingly vocal that when it rages to life, the other cars in the parking lot go hysterical! Blaring their alarms in futility (I'm not kidding, it set off car alarms TWICE!).

Driving through the HDB carpark, one can hear the full symphony from the straight-through exhaust reverberating off the buildings.

Now if you're still committed to driving this beast, you will soon realise from the first moment of stepping on its clutch that you're gonna lose your left leg by the end of the day. The sports clutch in this death-dishing machine is so heavy that one would require the thighs of David (& Goliath) to operate it without losing one's ability to walk at the end of the day. My persistence to drive it though left me with an aching leg for two days after the test drive.

Out on the open road, the mean looking Evo 9 RS was hardly a happy machine at low speeds. The beast required loads of fluids (aka high revs) to keep it alive as it thundered along the ECP leaving petrified drivers in its wake. Once I mustered up enough courage, I foolishly gave this red-eyed bronco a kick in the nuts and was punished with a nearly uncontrollable surge of torque from its oversized Garrett turbocharger. I suddenly found my heart in my throat as we blasted past 160kmh before I even realised what was going on! Did I mention I suffered a backache at the end of the day due to the rock hard coilovers with no shock absorption whatsoever?

Thankfully, my recent drive in the Evo 10 GSR is a far cry from the nightmarish (in a good way of course) day I had with its older sibling.

Exterior

The limited edition Evo X offered by Cycle & Carriage comes with one of the best exterior enhancement kits one can find. The showroom imported a full INGS Aero Styling Kit direct from Japan to dress up this cool blue Evo. The set includes front and rear bumpers, side skirts, front bumper carbon canards, carbon brake and intercooler duct and one can never do without a proper carbon fibre GT wing on the back.

What I liked most about the front bumper is that little snout protrusion from the intercooler duct that gives the Evo a cute hog-like impression.

To be honest, the kit that the showroom chose to put on the Evo gave just the right amount of aggression to the car without being over the top.

Knowing that the wheels are always the first to go in the quest of individualism, the showroom chose a set of 18 inch RAYS Volk Racing RE30 Bronze wheels that compliment the bodykit nicely. The bronze colour tone of the wheels plays off the cool blue of the body kit nicely with good contrast.

Owners who want their Evos to have that low slung intimidating stance to better scare their victims outta the way should be happy that it comes fitted with a full set of Cusco coilovers. The set is fully adjustable and lowers the entire car for that 'lean mean street machine' look without any loss in suspension stroke.

Overall, the guys at Mitsubishi have tastefully enhanced the standard Evo without going over the top by making it too 'beng'.

The Drive

Coming off from driving the rocking bronco that is the Evo 9 RS, the Evo X feels like a pussy cat with all its civil refinements intact. Well, the car remains a pussy cat until you give it some gas anyway. In the cockpit is a proper five-speed manual that old dogs like me love. Driving autos always seemed akin to being in a wheelchair for me. I hate it.

Nevertheless the five-speed box here felt a little notchy during quick shifting and to be honest, a six-speed would seem more suitable to make better use of the engine's torque as the gear ratios felt a little too tall during 0-100kmh tests.

That aside, the Evo's steering gave great feed back with just the right amount of steering weight. The Evo X corners flat through the bends. No doubt the Cusco coilovers were doing their job. While the coilovers do give a slightly bumpier ride over the stock, it wasn't uncomfortable to say the least and is well within the 'girlfriend acceptable' range.

A set of Coltspeed Brake Caliper Kit is also installed on this machine both for performance and aesthetic enhancement. The massive slotted discs operate on a six piston front and four piston rear. Yes, just like those on a C63 AMG.

To make sure the brake pressure is fully utilised, the set comes fitted with stainless steel braided brake lines. Framed behind the gorgeous 18 inch RAYS wheels, onlookers will know you mean business.

Oddly enough, the brakes don't 'anchor' down as hard as one would expect given its size and the number of pistons it has. I suspect that the brakes used here operate at a higher temperature range compared to stock and would require you to warm them up significantly before they give the full 'face-tearing' effect. If that's the case, the brakes would be perfect for track use but a little inappropriate for day to day driving on our island's start-stop traffic.

Conclusion

So the unbelievable has happened. You're officially allowed to tune your car the way you want it while still receiving a full manufacturer's warranty. Kudos to Mitsubishi Singapore for setting an example in the industry that we hope more manufacturers will consider.

The best thing about this deal is that instead of forking out cold hard cash for the mods, you can bunch it all up into your car loan and drive away with an instantly unique Evo.

By the way, if you're interested, this tastefully enhanced Mitsubishi Evolution X GSR manual can be yours. Just go right down to the showroom and grab it before this unique piece is gone!