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2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Track Test

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Justin Pritchard
Evo delivers 'point and shoot' performance on the track
Arcade or Simulation? That choice is often presented to gamers on their favourite xBox and Playstation racing titles before the selected race loads. The choice will give aspiring drivers either instant gratification and pre-programmed fun, or a learning-intensive but potentially more rewarding racing experience.

The Evo is quick and sharp on a giggle-inducing level, reacting instantly and precisely to even the smallest inputs in an almost exaggerated fashion. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

A real-life video game racer
Should the race-bred Lancer Evolution be your weapon of choice for entering the world of weekend racing, you’ll find yourself in the care of a machine with some virtually unbeatable entertainment value. It’s a real-life car that embodies that instantly gratifying ‘Arcade’ setting so many gamers love.

Aside from looking as though it came from 17 year-old’s fantasy garage, the Evolution’s steering system is perhaps the first way it lets drivers know they’re strapped into a four-wheeled video game. It’s quick and sharp on a giggle-inducing level, reacting instantly and precisely to even the smallest inputs in an almost exaggerated fashion.

The tested Evolution MR even got a leather-wrapped wheel with paddle shifters for fingertip control of its Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST). It wouldn’t look out of place plugged into your favourite gaming console.

Super-slick drivetrain hardware
With its slick twin-clutch gearbox, Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system and multi-mode driving surface selector, Evo was engineered exhaustively to deliver maximum performance to any driver, in any weather, on any road or track.

All requisite go-fast goodies are on board too-- including Brembo brakes, BBS rims and performance rubber to help transfer driver inputs to the tarmac with precision. A two-litre, 291 horsepower turbo engine fires things up, hauling the Evo off the line and out of corners with authority after a glob of initial turbo-lag. Driver-executed gearshifts are instant, and fully-blipped downshifts put race-car sound effects just a click of the left paddle away.

The available TC-SST box is extremely obedient, though it can be left in its ‘Drive’ setting should the novice lapper wish to focus more on their technique and less on shifting manually.

The available TC-SST box is extremely obedient. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com)
Justin Pritchard
Justin Pritchard
Automotive expert
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