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Uncompromising Sport Setan against a gentleman's rally car

If in this test we evaluated only the differences in the steering between the BMW 335i and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring, this would be enough.


EVO, nervous and rushing, offers a lighter steering wheel, informing the driver about the slightest detected imperfection of the road surface on which he finds himself. 335i, on the contrary, successfully ignores those defects that force the EVO steering wheel to perform wild dances in the hands of the pilot. The Bavarians made 335i management less informative, but at the same time as effective as that of EVO. The BMW steering wheel is slightly harder, its response is slightly slow, but it does not require any compromises from the driver.

These subtle differences determine the whole picture that is formed with you after passing a series of turns on each of these cars. And it is these differences that will eventually affect your choice when buying a car.

So choose carefully.


Sedan 335i against Evo Mr Touring. Seriously?
Yes seriously. These cars have similar characteristics that cannot be noticed: four doors, approximately the same power and almost the same weight, plus the difference in the cost of the basic configuration is only $ 260. Such a similarity, my friends, is an excellent occasion to conduct an interesting comparative test. Even if none of you will rush between dealers, comparing one car with another in an attempt to determine the best, each of them has a large army of fans, which is also the basis for a good dispute. In addition, cars are equally good.

For the test, we took the BMW 335i in the back of the sedan with the M Sport package, a leather salon and an adapter for iPod. This Blue Le-Man car with options in the amount of $ 6,150 will cost an American buyer $ 47,625. It is equipped with a 3-liter in-line six-cylinder engine with a double turbocharging engine that develops 300 hp. and 406 nm torque. Six -speed mechanical gearbox standard transmission.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Mr Touring Car for, say, an elderly person. The Touring package includes an electric hatch (an aluminum roof disappears), tightened by the recaro seats, an improved audio system, a navigation system, automatically included headlights and glass cleaners with a rain sensor. And the place of the massive posterior anti -wing (obviously, it is one of those things that the elderly are not in favor of) is occupied by a modest spoiler on the roof of the trunk.

Under a slightly changed appearance, the same Evolution MR that we know is hidden. Bilstein shock absorbers provide it with more softness than GSR, and a complex automatic transmission with double clutch and manual mode can switch the programs itself if you suddenly do not want to do this. The 2-liter forced-in-line four-cylinder engine Mitsubishi produces 291 hp. and 406 nm torque. Three differentials of limited friction (front, central and rear) provide reliable power transmission to wheels. The central differential EVO is responsible for the distribution of the moment between the front and the rear axles, and the rear divides it between the right and left wheels. If you need just such a car, Mitsubishi for $ 43,984 is an ideal option.

Both cars are worthy rivals.


We begin to compare
If these cars are treated with due seriousness, they will be very, very fast. Both offer the level of dynamics more than acceptable at their cost. The ratio of the cost-dynamics in this comparative test is on the EVO side as soon as both cars are on a country road.

It is in such conditions that the EVO rally roots and due to this past, a large amount of electronics that improves the clutch, coupled with mechanical filling, turn 335i into a small point in the rear view mirror. Cool turns, bugrs in the middle of the turn and this car indefinable gravel overcomes this car without much effort due to the complete drive and jewelry handling. Add to this the fact that the transmission with two clutches works in sport mode, although the driver has only two pedals under his feet, and Evo turns into an ideal car for imperfect roads.

But 335i cannot be called Rochly. BWM somehow manages to filter the bulk of the noise and convey to the driver a minimum of information necessary for fast driving. Not a single important detail is missed. Rather, this is a distillation of response and sound, leading to honed handling. The steering wheel is heavier, but not so fussy, the suspension reacts instantly, but not so susceptible to adjustment in the middle of the turn. The car rides as if it weighs more than EVO, although in fact BMW is easier than Mitsubishi 65 kg. BMW does not have an explosive exit from the turn, which EVO can boast, first of all, because of the drive, only one axis.


Real world
But something we go into the subtleties. Yes, when driving on the limit along a winding desert road, Evo will be faster. On the usual highway, full of mundane phenomena of bumps, potholes, bumps and women, the compromise of the BMW suddenly turns into an advantage. Even his slightly inhibited steering wheel seems appropriate in the world where there is no need to change the strip every five seconds.

In everyday traffic of Evo seats with active lateral support, the nervous suspension and a every second readiness for attack suddenly go into the category of compromise. But the Evo transmission sharply contrasts with the old -fashioned straightforward box of the BMW 335i. Even the best mechanical transmission in the world and this one of them in traffic tires more than two pedals. And in Los Angeles, for example, a traffic jam is a lifestyle.

And again, the manufacturability of EVO leads it to the leaders of the test. The flexibility of this car sometimes simply stunes. Thanks to two clutches, its transmission can provide you with several hours of comfortable movement in a tight stream of cars, and then (by pressing several buttons) turn your EVO into a racing car, ready to conquer a complex rally track. There are other excellent double clutch gearboxes (PDK Porsche, developed by ZF specialists and the Nissan GT-R transmission designed by Borg-Warner), but none of them can offer the S-SPORT mode, which has EVO transmission designed by the company designed Getrag. This box is never mistaken at all with the choice of the right transmission with a really aggressive ride (ironic that the BMW M3 is equipped with a Getrag transmission option developed for EVO).

She is really impressive. And it is included in the standard equipment of MR, which is less than BMW with mechanics. It is even more important that in conditions of intense movement, Evo friendliness takes it to almost one level with BMW.


Measure
In the test for passing a quarter of Mitsubishi and BMW miles, they showed the same time 13.4 seconds. The lighter 335i, which has 9 horses at his disposal, developed a high speed at the finish (166.5 km/h against 162.7 km/h). But yielding to the opponent in power, Evo does not lag behind a quick start provided by the drive of all four wheels, and bypasses it when accelerating from scratch to 60 miles per hour (96 km/h) by 0.2 seconds (5 seconds versus 5.2 seconds).

Despite the presence of EVO large four -piston calipers, its braking distance is greater than 335i. At a speed of 96 km/h, cars stop for 35 meters and 33.22 meters. Evo brakes instantly respond to press the pedal, but with aggressive driving they lack the effectiveness that you expect from such an expensive system. Conversely, simple BMW brakes work excellently, the absence of an immediate reaction to the work of the brake pedal does not affect their overall effectiveness.

The results of controls for handling have a minimum gap. EVO passes our slalom at a speed of 112.17 km/h, and BMW accelerates to 111.84 km/h. In this situation, the difference in speed is not so important how much information about the management and dynamics of both cars received during this test. Perhaps the following observation can be called the most valuable lesson obtained on slalom: BMW is very well controlled at the limit of its capabilities when transferring the steering wheel. It can be leisurely brought to the edge of the turn, quit and then return to the previous course without any problems. It is amazing that EVO, initially more frisky, do not like such sharp transitions. He will fulfill them, but you will have to work hard, quickly fingering with your hands, and transplay for the stability of the car.

In the test for lateral acceleration, the contestants again demonstrated almost identical results. EVO develops 0.93G against 0.92G in 335i. And again, the difference in behavior is much more interesting: Evo breaks forward with rough strength, relying on its technology, and BMW slides around an obstacle with intuitive grace, dancing on the verge of adhesion, with an ideal balance inherent in rear -wheel drive cars.


Fundamentals
Developing EVO X, Mitsubishi decided to make it in accordance with a higher standard. With the previous approach, the car could no longer fully compete with Subaru. It was decided to raise the model to the level of larger players in the market of sports sedans. Large sizes, more sophistication, higher cost.

This is how Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Mr Touring turned out. This car is aimed at competition with larger, expensive and exquisite German grads, such as, say, this BMW 335i.

The engineers had to work on each aspect of Lancer so that he could rise to a given level. Nevertheless, EVO cannot compare with BMW as design and interior. His navigation system is simply ridiculous by modern standards. The materials used in the interior decoration are not so pleasant to touch, and since such a conversation came, the course of the speed of speed switching is still somewhat unprecedented.

Our only claim to the BMW cabin? Bad cup holders.

The BMW 335i wheelbase is 11 cm longer, which clearly positively affects handling, but, for some reason, does not increase the number of space for passengers in the rear seat. Our editor with a tall 187 cm counted the rear sofa EVO more convenient due to the square line of the roof. The big man said: in both cars there is enough space for the legs, but in Evo I felt less constrained.

The total length of the BMW body is 3 cm, which positively affected the volume of the trunk. The rear seat folding with the adjustable angle of the back of the back in 335i is an option. The car we test did not have this. The volume of the trunk EVO is much smaller due to the tank in it for the fluid of the glass gunner and the battery (between the main space and the back of the rear seat). And this, as you probably already guessed, means that it also does not develop.


Without a winner, it is impossible
The fact that the gap between the participants in this test would be minimal from the very beginning. But in the end, the ability of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring to provide quality through useful things as a double clutch transmission, all -wheel drive and three differentials, provided him with a victory over the opponent.

The main complexity of this comparison does not fit into the numbers obtained during numerous tests. The essence of the test is which of the cars you choose as the only car in the family. Most of those who buy sports sedans will use them to transport children, wives, friends and baggage. Fast, if necessary.

So everything comes down to what you consider mandatory for a sports car. Many will say that they are looking for the perfect combination of excellent dynamics and comfort. They should choose for themselves BMW 335i. If you are waiting for dynamics and uncompromising in its pure form, but at the same time take into account its cost, then your Mitsubishi Evo car.

In any case, their steering is first -class.

The results of the test
Weight Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Mr Touring BMW 335i Sedan
Subjective rating 2.5% 100.0 50.0
The rating must be taken! (Which of the cars from the point of view of the editorial office is better for the average buyer in this segment of cars) 2.5% 50.0 100.0
Assessment for 28 pre -agreed points (from the characteristics of the engine to the convenience of the rear seats) 20% 75.4 77.4
Equipment 20% 61.1 33.3
Driving qualities 25% 96.0 97.7
Fuel consumption 15% 90.6 100.0
Price 15% 100.0 91.7
                
                
Total account 100.0% 83.7 79.1

Final rating 1 2


Second opinion

Technical editor Jason Caveni

All you need to know about this comparative test: BMW 335i does not have a differential of limited friction. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has three of them.

Even in the configuration of Touring, the Evolution model begs you as sharply as possible to turn into a turn, to slow down as soon as possible and go out as early as possible at the exit than BMW. Forget about the badges on the hood and your prejudices. EVO is more communicative and definitely more capable than 335i in all respects. He won, and we are happy to agree with this. It is insanely sorry that at the same time he has such an inexpressive sound of the engine and a meager salon. And what is this wretched monitor of the navigation system?

On the other hand, BMW is an excellent option for daily trips. He cannot boast of such a rich technical filling that Evo has, but he behaves much more calmly on the road, and in his salon it is not so noisy. He has plenty of power, especially at low speeds.

There is a reason why these cars win in almost all tests in which they take part, they do excellently with what they were created for. It just happened that they have different tasks, despite the amazing similarity on paper. Of course, it is many times more pleasant to tell friends that I spent more than forty thousand dollars on BMW than on Mitsubishi. But for the enthusiastic driver, the choice is obvious EVO.





 

Source: Insideline