Well, the car is already out, so many on here can give out impressions and we already have many reviews on the car. However, we are doing a follow up review and test on teh GSR. So here is your chance to let us know what you wants us to test and what you want to know more about. Things we cannot test due are skidpad, slalom, and braking distance. Main reason for this is every surface is different, so our numbers would not be comparable to that of the magazine numbers. Same reason you really cant compare one mags numbers to another, only against other cars the same mag test. We can test acceleration, overall impressions, comparisons to previous models, and more. I believe we are testing the same Grey GSR that has shown up in more recent magazine tests. So let us know what you want to hear.

 

So why can't you just get a hold of an IX or VIII and test the braking distances relative to that? That is what I really want to know. I want to know how different the braking is relative to the previous generation under the same conditions. Having a number and comparing it to test done years ago, is pointless as you say so yourself.

I really want a more side to side comparison between current and past version. To do that you need both cars and literally jump between them to compare.

- seats, which are more supportive? comfortable? feel looser (ie larger)? Not subjective if you like them, but compared to the other seats, report on the differences you feel. Seat fabric feel, is it less/more slippery?
- steering wheel, same things. Are diameters the same? thickness the same? Is the angle feel the same?
- sitting position adjustment - is it still perfect as in previous model or does the new car now have limitations? or even more adjustments.
- the carpet quality... does it seem thicker and fuller than previous model? Is it stronger where the hook is for the drivers floor mat (if there is one) or will it rip up after a few months as in the previous models.
- Does it look like there is room for after market gauges in the center console as in the previous models with the radio relocation kit?
- what about the concept of maintenance, is the oil filter still easily accessible for quick & clean changes or is it going to be a nightmare like on the VW/Audis.

Thanks.

 

Can you report on the sound deadening and its effectiveness at highway speeds? A comparison to a IX or 04-07 STI?

 

IF we can get a perfect condition stock IX that we can test, then yes, we can compare. Problem is, mitsu does not have anymore media IXs I believe, and finding someone with a stock low mileage one that will let us beat on it is hard. That said, I am trying to do so. We can answer all those other questions. I already know the answer to the last two. The center console would require a complete extensive kit to do what you want. This would have to be a very custom kit, more so than the previous generation. Not undo able, just requires some company to make it. On the filter, its the same as the lancer which you can see pics of in our lancer ES review on the front page

Yes. I am not sure that i will be able to get you actual DB readings, but i can tell you our impressions. We do have cars we can compare that specific test on.

 

Thanks Charles. I know what you mean about beating on the car.... I'd donate you my car for braking, slalom & skidpad comparison as that does not really do anything to the car but use a little of the tire and brake pad, but I would not for the 0-60 times . I'm on east coast tri-state area so that does not help you much I assume.

Looking forward to the details...

As for the oil changes, never seen the regular lancer yet so it does not help me much. The EVO is one of the easiest and cleanest DYI oil change cars I have had. Drive on ramps, remove the very accessible oil filter - it is not on an angle so when you remove it oil does not drip all over itself and down your shirt. There are no crossbars, tranny's, undercovers and other things below the filter or drain plug so things are clean when you are done. There is room to use a filter removal wrench if you need it too. The VW/Audis are opposite in all respects.... sigh. So how does the X compare to the above description.

oh, one more thing I thought of... so what is it really like with the drive-by-wire in the car (the X has that right? cable is gone?) I know when VW/Audi switched from cable to wire, you lost the feel of the engine somewhat. It feels disconnected, it responds but it feels like you can't predict it. It feels like the gas input is not part of the car anymore. The cable just lacks the feel the cable had, it is so virtual It is like you are not able to become one with the car anymore. Is the X the same now?

and this reminds of another "feature" the drive by wire added to other cars... not able to left food brake anymore. In the X, is it possible to be on the gas and on the brake at the same time? On most other drive by wire cars, they added the "feature" of cutting all power to the engine if it senses brake applied for over 2 secs while your food is on the gas... I hope this is not true on the X. That would really be a downer for track use... With the S-AYC, it could be interesting how left foot braking is handled if at all....

 

Left foot braking is for inexperienced drivers. Learn to heal-toe downshift and trail brake, it will be your best allies on the track. And my 04 sti is drive by wire and feels more precise than any cable type throttle. It makes you feel more in control of modulating the throttle because there is never any inconsistency in pedal feel like there can be with cable types. And FTR, audi is the only company to cut power to the engine while the brake is being applied for more than 2 seconds because of the lawsuits that they had with the cars cruise control function sometimes malfunctioning and not cutting off when the brakes were applied.

 

I would love to see acceleration tests 0-60 and 1/4 mile stock. Also can you compare the powerband to previous Evo's and would love to know how the top end is in stock form on the X. Does the car feel like a fast car like the old Evo's and Sti's do or does it feel slower and sluggish do to its weight? Thanks

 

Actually, this is not at all true. Left foot braking on track is an advanced technique that in certain situations can gain you valuable time. Many high level racers use this technique. Not being able to heel toe or trail brake has nothing to do with it. You should always heel toe when road racing. The point of left foot braking as it pertains to advanced techniques is too avoid the delay from switching pedals when you dont need to downshift.

Now, back on topic. It is highly unlikely that we will have an perfect essential new stock IX to compare against, so we will go off our experience with the VIIIs and IXs to tell the story. We will ahve impressions of every kind including pedal response. I do know exactly what you are taking about with the DBW. Previous generations STIs were pretty bad IMO stock with the response to the pedal. Once flashed, they were fine, but stock, I didnt care for it. Other DBW cars have been fine stock.

 

This is kind of off-topic here, but based on your reply, maybe you are not up-to-speed on your facts?

Heal & toe is done in a straight line before a turn, trail braking at the beginning and into the turn usually finishing off before the apex. Left foot braking is usually done on sweepers, through mid-turn to control load transfer. Most people learn how to left foot brake after they figure out and master trail braking... so I disagree with you that it is for inexperienced drivers.

And for the record...I know how to do all 3 if it matters....

Also, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-foot_braking#Road_use states:
"In addition, many modern vehicles use a "Drive By Wire" or Electronic throttle control system instead of the traditional mechanical throttle linkage. These systems have a safety interlock that prevents left foot braking."

My personal experience matches the wikipedia entry so I think it is applicable to more cars than just Audi contrary to what you stated.

 

As a "character witness".

I gave xtnct his first opportunity to drive an Evo several years ago. (My 2003 VIII). He fell in love with the car with the final "test" being the most important for a competitive married racer. Would the baby stroller would fit in the trunk? ( it did ). And he took me to my first auto-x where he showed clearly the difference between novice and expert.

He is a very experienced and knowledgeable technical driver who is well known at the east coast motor sports tracks.

Speedlimit..

 

Left foot braking is counter-productive in most situations. You may assume that you are not going to have to downshift and want to have a quick transition from gas to brake and vice versa, but last minute corrections are always going to occur as you will never hit the same turn exactly the same. Suppose you have to downshift because you realize you came in too hot, you cannot let off the brake to switch feet and get ready to heal toe because that braking period is so crucial in a situation like that. So, you'll have to finish your braking until you are going slow enough to put your let foot back on the clutch, your right foot back on the brake, and get ready for the heal toe to finish off. If you watch any video with the foot cam, most of the pros don't use this technique. The amount of time it takes you to transition form the brake to the gas is so minimal there is really no benefit in left foot braking. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, I suppose, and I apologize about implying that you are an inexperienced driver. To each his own, I suppose. And as far as the drive by wire brake thing, regardless of what wikipedia may say, that is a safety feature not used in any performance car that I know of. Audi was the first to do that, and it was in their luxury cars because of the cruise control issues that I stated earlier. Audis also suck *** as performance cars, so who cares what they do. I highly doubt that mitsu will do this on the evo x. Subaru doesn't use it, why would they?

 

i just wanna know if theres a 2 step, and is it at 6k rpm.?

 

Well, that's why left-foot braking is an advanced technique. If you constantly have the problem of going into a turn too hot, then left-foot braking is not what you should be concentrating on yet.
Yes, it is not THE braking technique, and it is most likely not used to slow your car down from 130 mph for a turn, BUT if the car is reluctant to turn (ie. the car won't rotate), this technique can be used in mid-corner to help your car rotate while maintaining momentum through the turn by having the throttle depressed at the same time to exit the turn faster.
Having said that, not everyone can use this technique because it's very difficult to have the fineese to control the brake with your left foot. It is not the absolutely faster way to drive your car, but it can be beneficial.

And for the Audi comment, not sure what to say, but they did win the Le Mans with their Audi R10. They may not provide the top performance they could in the production car line, but that doesn't mean they suck. Just like Mercedes, they just focus their performance on F1 and other German car touring race cars.

And finally, for drive-by-wire operation, I think it has a lot to do with the ECU. I used to own a Golf 1.8T, the drive-by-wire was quite frustrating to use. Main reason is the response that the throttle has. You almost have to wait for 1 full second after your blip the throttle to rev match to down shift, making the process slow and unpleasant. I am sure that the drive-by-wire on the Honda S2000 (just an example) should be more responsive.