I just had the chance to go fr a spin in a Evo X MR, I am almost certain it is the first MR in AZ. The car was Red and the first thing it called my attention was the side vents on the front fender were color matched and the front air damn on the bumper has a chrome trim. I thought that the 2 piece rotors were also for the back but they aren't, is just the front.

The car is very comfortable, much more comfortable that what I thought, I think it is one more time credited to the awesome Bilstein suspension. The transmission is simply amaizing, shifts occur above 7000rpm red line and the shifting time is lighting fast, I am almost certain this car from a roll is a hair quicker than the 5 speed. The sticker mentions that the gas mileage is better on city.

Another thing I noticed was that the AWD control was located in the center console. Sticker price was $38200(MSRP) but the one that I tested had the Navigation as well with technology package the navigation was extra making the price surpass the $40000.

It would be really soon to compare the performance of both, I think people would have to actually take them on the roads and really see if the 5 speed is quicker or not. The MR feels a hair slugish on the take off but it is just a split of second then ir really move and shifts fast. Having that 6th gear makes things much more civilized, the rpms drop and the car feels quieter. The trasmission has a normal and a sport mode, the normal mode is more like a gas mileage friendly while the other is more performance oriented. There is a display that tells you what mode you are in.

The quality ride is great, as I mentioned before the suspension and the dual clutch transmission makes this car very comfortable to ride. The BBS rims are gorgeous, they are like gunmetal.

The one thing I diod not like though was the paddle shifter location, they are like two sharp knives, they stay vertically static and they are sharp and long and close to the steering wheel, you could really hurt your hands if you are turning the steering wheel and have big gorilla hands like me(just remember what I just said).

That is it guys, I am sorry that I did not have my camera with me but if you guys want some close up pictures I will go to the dealer and snap some for you.


Carlos

 

Nice review! I can't wait to drive one and see how they feel!

 

good job carlos!

i would have thought that the shifter paddles would move with the steering wheel.

 

Oh, I forgot, the fabric on the seats are differnt, it has alcantara. The manager of Wildcat Mitsubishi and myself want to say that the seats feel tighter on the lower portion(grabier) but can't confirm.

Carlos

 

I am telling you guys, someone will hurt their knockles, the paddles shifters are like 5" long very sharp and vertically mounted in the steering column. I intentionally grabbed the steering wheel and slowly started to turn it and my bulky big hands were a few mere milimeters from the paddle shifters.

I just think they could made it safer but they look nice as hell though. When I test drove the car they were boiling hot, the car was parked and it was facing the sun.

Carlos

 

Good review. That's kind of funny about the paddle shifters. watch there will be a recall on them, saying they'll have to be filed down.

 

Nice Review Carlos.. I will have to check it out when one gets to the valley..

 

I test drove an EVO X GSR, and can definately say without a doubt that the Bilsteins provide the majority of the increased comfort. Keep in mind that the MR also is heavier, and is soaked with about 14lbs more sound deadening material than the GSR model.

Two main differences that characterize an EVO X MR, the differences relate to driver fatigue over longer periods of travel. The reduce "shock" from the Bilsteins, and the decreased road noise from the extra sound deadening will make the MR seem like a Caddy compared with it's sibling, the GSR, which you could say is right on track with a modern Civic in terms of comfort. A civic may actually be better.

My IX MR with 31,000 miles was still a noticable improvement over the EVO X GSR shocks. I intially thought at first that the spring rates had been increased on the X, but the extra heft would surely cancel that out. Still, the GSR's spring/shocks setup is either the lowest of quality, or incorrectly paired together (springs need to be more firm).

NIGHT AND DAY.

Too bad the MR is automated (tranny). I can only pray that future models - any model after the intial product released- will be improved.

 

There's a White EVO MR on the showroom floor at the Avondale Mitsu dealership. Looks nice.

 

The GSR's suspension is actually more trac spec, as it is documented as being stiffer on the damper and spring rates than the bilsteins on the MR. There is even an article on edmunds or motor trend that even talks about this, which is why the MR pulled less Gs on the skidpad than the GSR. The MR pulled a .96, and the GSR pulled a .99. I would sum it up this way and say that the MRs suspension setup is a bit more comfortable and makes the car more of a tourer model that makes up for the slight reduction in grip with it's lightening fast shifts and shorter gear ratios. Different strokes for different folks I suppose. I like the stiff ride of the GSR, it contributes to the razor sharp response of the steering. I just wish it had the wheels, 2 piece rotors, and interior of the MR. Can't have it all I guess......

 

This is interesting, because in the reviews of the 8 and 9, they attributed the slightly faster lap times of the MR to the more compliant Bilstein suspension smoothing out the bumps.

 

Nice review. You didn't explore the super-sport mode though????

 

^^^ That's what I was just thinking...??

 

I'd certainly hope the MR is faster from a roll...

 

any thing can happen on the street, driver reaction time can make either of the cars win
I just dont like the 40+ k price tag