Also used to racing, Amyot Bachand had a similar impression after his first stint on the road. He came out smiling and told: "The powertrain is flexible and turbo lag is virtually non-existent during accelerations. But while the standard manual transmission is precise, a sixth gear would have been helpful to further smooth things out."
That being said, we still achieved impressive acceleration times, even on snow-covered roads: 0 to 100 kph in under 6 seconds. We should point out that the 5-speed manual only comes with the base GRS model. The higher-end MR model, meanwhile, benefits from a 6-speed, Twin-Clutch Sport Shift Transmission (SST), although the latter won't hit the market until later this year.
Kart-like handling
Handling is by far the most remarkable aspect of the new Lancer Evolution. Whether you're changing directions at high speed or zigzagging through sharp corners, this car is easy to control thanks to unprecedented levels of balance for an Evo.
How did engineers pull this off? First, they started with the automaker's global performance chassis for higher rigidity and less torsion. Moreover, by upgrading some of the components and using aluminum for the hood, roof and bumper mounts, among others, they managed to achieve a near-perfect weight distribution: 52 percent in front and 48 percent in the back.
Complementing this lightweight yet strong architecture is a direct and ultra-precise steering which delivers instant feedback from the road and makes for a sportier driving experience.
"With this setup, pointing the car accurately and maintaining perfect control are easy, claimed Bertrand. Simply by toying with the brake or the throttle, you can send the car into the perfect trajectory; just grip the wheel firmly and be ready to call on the Brembos. Compared to the previous generation, this one is really easier to handle, regardless of road conditions."
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| We put the Lancer Evolution to the test on small winding roads, deep inside the Laurentides region, in Quebec. |
That being said, we still achieved impressive acceleration times, even on snow-covered roads: 0 to 100 kph in under 6 seconds. We should point out that the 5-speed manual only comes with the base GRS model. The higher-end MR model, meanwhile, benefits from a 6-speed, Twin-Clutch Sport Shift Transmission (SST), although the latter won't hit the market until later this year.
Kart-like handling
Handling is by far the most remarkable aspect of the new Lancer Evolution. Whether you're changing directions at high speed or zigzagging through sharp corners, this car is easy to control thanks to unprecedented levels of balance for an Evo.
How did engineers pull this off? First, they started with the automaker's global performance chassis for higher rigidity and less torsion. Moreover, by upgrading some of the components and using aluminum for the hood, roof and bumper mounts, among others, they managed to achieve a near-perfect weight distribution: 52 percent in front and 48 percent in the back.
Complementing this lightweight yet strong architecture is a direct and ultra-precise steering which delivers instant feedback from the road and makes for a sportier driving experience.
"With this setup, pointing the car accurately and maintaining perfect control are easy, claimed Bertrand. Simply by toying with the brake or the throttle, you can send the car into the perfect trajectory; just grip the wheel firmly and be ready to call on the Brembos. Compared to the previous generation, this one is really easier to handle, regardless of road conditions."
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| With the Lancer, pointing the car accurately and maintaining perfect control are easy. |