Car Review: 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR

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It’s not easy to pack the punch of a sports car into a four-door sedan while keeping the price reasonable for the general public. But Mitsubishi did just that with the 2014 Lancer Evolution GSR, and after a week of testing, there is no doubt that the Lancer Evolution can run the streets with the best of them out there!

EXTERIOR

The large, rear wing spoiler on the 2014 Lancer Evolution GSR is definitely old school and adds so much style with something so simple. But so much of what you see on the Lancer Evolution GSR isn’t just for looks, but for performance as well. Further aiding the tractability cause is a set of highly adhesive 245/40R18 low-profile Yokohama Advan asymmetrical performance tires clad to lightweight 18-in. x 8.5-in. wheels with the Lancer Evolution GSR model wearing Enkei cast-alloy rims. Also adding to the sleek exterior are flared fenders, aluminum roof panel, aluminum front fenders with vents and aluminum hood with hear extractor vents.

INTERIOR

The best way to describe the interior of the 2014 Lancer Evolution GSR is modern with no frills! That’s not to say that the latest technology and comfort features aren’t present, but even with all of those extras, there is no mistaken that this car is about performance. Our test model was loaded with recaro black leather seats, power glass sunroof, heated front seats, center console upgrade, sound dampening enhancement, auto A/C with micron filter, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, high contrast sport meter gauges, color multi-information display, steering wheel-mounted cruise control and audio switches, 6.1-inch touchscreen display audio and Fuse hands-free link system with USB port. The seats are strong, but being the larger person that I am, they felt a bit small and uncomfortable at times.

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PERFORMANCE

Thanks to its potent turbocharged and intercooled powerplant, precision-tuned handling, communicative steering feel and 4-door configuration, the 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is an ultra-high-performance sports car that provides the driver a take-to-the-track feeling every day. With a ready 291 bhp on tap at 6,500 rpm and a full 300 lb.-ft. of torque beginning at 4,000 rpm, the 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution’s DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled inline-4-cylinder engine feels completely willing and able at virtually any mark on the tachometer.

This 4B11 T/C powerplant features a “square” design with a bore and stroke each measuring 86.0 mm, a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and a reinforced cast-aluminum engine block and an aluminum cylinder head. Power production is further maximized by the installation of a high-volume, free-flow exhaust system with dual exhaust outlets, while weight balance is improved with the turbocharger and stainless steel exhaust manifold positioned close to the firewall at the rear of the engine. The 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution employs a network of highly advanced components in the company’s trademark Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system to achieve maximum tractability, safety, handling and performance. These include an Active Center Differential (ACD) and a rear differential with Active Yaw Control (AYC), a Sport ABS braking system and Active Stability Control (ASC).

Allowing up to a 50:50 torque split between the front and rear wheels, the Active Center Differential (ACD) controls the power routed to the wheels via an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch based on a number of parameters including steering wheel angle, throttle opening and individual wheel speeds. Underpinning the 2014 Lancer Evolution is the same well-engineered global platform that serves as the foundation for not only the Lancer sports sedan and the stylish 5-door Lancer Sportback models, but also the popular Outlander and Outlander Sport crossover vehicles.

The competition-based, high-performance suspension on the Lancer Evolution consists of inverted MacPherson struts at the front of the vehicle with a multi-link design at the rear. In addition to the suspension’s aluminum control arms, this strong yet lightweight alloy can be found throughout the vehicle to help reduce overall vehicle weight: the front fenders, hood, roof and front and rear bumper beams are composed of aluminum. In a further nod to reducing vehicle mass, all while improving weight distribution for better overall driving dynamics, the battery and the windshield washer fluid tank have been relocated to the trunk.

OVERVIEW

When you drive the 2014 Lancer Evolution GSR, the fun never stops, because even the shortest drives can turn into adventures. The power is high and fuel efficiency is still reasonable coming in at 17mpg in the city and 23mpg in highway driving. There are times when the ride is stiff and you can feel most bumps on the road, but I guess that’s the trade-off for a performance car that came in under $40,000 as tested. Tuners will appreciate the factory installation of the many cool offerings on the stock 2014 Lancer Evolution GSR, including the large wing rear spoiler, but it also takes the right customer that desire these features.