Test drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 2005 - 2007 sedan

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Wagon Car Review

Technical characteristics of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GT-A Spec
 
Body dimensions (length / width / height) 4530 mm / 1770 mm / 1480 mm
Wheel base 2625 mm
Dry weight 1540 kg
Drive 4WD
2-liter engine with turbocharged and intercooler, DOHC, developed power of 272 hp. at 6500 vol./min, maximum torque of 35 kg at 3000 rpm.
Transmission 5-speed automatic transmission
Machine price 3.412.500 yen (about $ 31,000)
 
Evolution series cars revive former glory
When I found out the results of Rally Japan's races, I had a thought that Mitsubishi has entered the Renaissance Path. I suppose this path will be very thorny. But Mitsubishi has no other way to survive, except to release new, competitive models. And we just need it. If only because at the moment the company does not have a more successful project than the Lancer Evolution series. And so it was a pity that in all calculations the next model of this series - Lancer Evolution X - would be ready only in two years. And suddenly it turns out that the new Lancer Evolution Wagon car is already ready, work on which, according to various rumors, seemed to be suspended! Wow!
There are two modifications of Lancer Evolution Wagon. Firstly, it is a GT modification with a 6-speed manual gearbox, and secondly, the modification of GT- A, which is equipped with a 5-speed automatic box. The GT modification is put the same engine as the Lancer Evolution sedan. This is a 4 G63 model engine, with a turbocharger, intercooler equipped with a MIVEC system. The power developed by him is 280 hp. at 6500 rpm, maximum torque - 40.0 kg/m at 3000 rpm. However, the torque at the station wagon was slightly less than that of the sedan (40.8 kg/m.).
The modification of GT- A is equipped with the same 4 G63 engine, it is also supplemented by a turbocharger with an internal cooler (intercooler), although it was decided not to use the MIVEC system here. Since the modification of GT- A is equipped with an automatic gearbox, the turbine here is reduced, which was reflected in the power developed by the engine - 272 hp. at 6500 rpm, torque - 35 kg/m at 3000 rpm. A similar option was used earlier in Lancer Evolution VIII, or rather, on its modifications with an automatic gearbox, which had the same letter designation - GT- A.
In accordance with the graph of the power function and torque, which was published by the technical department of the company, when approaching the mark of 2500 rpm, the GT- A engine is the peak of torque. In contrast, the engine, which is equipped with the GT modification, reaches the peak of torque at 5000 rpm, and then, up to the mark of 7000 rpm, the amount of torque is kept at the same level. So this option seems to be more suitable for highway races.
By the way, the bracket for the license plate is located in these two versions of Lancer Evolution Wagon differently. Since the turbocharger is equipped with an intercooler on the GT modification, and it is necessary to provide it with a constant influx of fresh air, the license plate is located here as well as the sedan - that is, on the front bumper on the left. In contrast, GT - A has an oil radiator -cooler in this place, so the license plate stands right in the middle of the bumper. The block facts have changed their design (now they have a galvanic coating), which is why the entire front of the car has acquired a more aggressive appearance.
  
I needed stiffness, like a sedan, and it was achieved
The design of the body - namely the motor compartment, the bottom in the front of the car, the bottom in the rear of the car - is almost into -inviolable from Lancer Evolution IX. On the frame obtained in this way, it remained only to hang special side panels and a roof - and now, please, the station wagon turned out. True, the roof is also made of aluminum, like a sedan, it was simply given additional rigidity.
I had to strengthen the place of attachment of all the racks to the roof. Additional stiffness is also available in the places of docks and niches under the rear wheels. In addition, since the side panels in the station wagon are somewhat longer than in the sedan, an additional crossbar had to be placed on the back of the body. A powerful hard beam also stands in the lower part of the body, where the back racks, the bottom of the rear and the side panels of the body converge. The points of fastening of the rear shock absorbers to the body are strengthened. The back of the luggage compartment is reinforced with a strapping, which is welded at more than 50 points. Such is in general terms the list of works that had to be provided and performed in order to get a full -fledged station wagon from the sedan from the body. In addition, it is proposed to install a hard beam in the dealership of the dealership in the luggage compartment of the owners.
As for the aluminum roof, not only it itself, but also the hood of a lightweight design, and the front wings were borrowed from Lancer Evolution IX. In addition, in order to conjure the blister of the front wings with the hind wings, the latter also had to give the shape of a blister wing. In addition, it was necessary to make them combined in size with 17-inch rear wheels.
 
A transmission in which there was no place for the Super Ayc system
The chassis of the new station wagon is also largely borrowed from the Lancer Evolution IX sedan. The main differential is equipped with a hydraulic multi -disc cyft of electronic control (abbreviated ACD, that is, Active Center Differential). With the help of electronics, a bunch of front and rear pairs of wheels is carried out, starting from the moment of their complete mutual blocking and until the moment when they are in a state of complete unlock. The rear wheels are connected through the differential of increased friction of the mechanical type, which provides the transmission of a powerful traction. At the configuration equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox, a differential of increased friction of the gelicoid type is placed as the front differential, which is practically no different from what is on the sedan.
But, unfortunately, during the development of Lancer Evolution Wagon, it was decided to abandon the Super Ayc (Active Yaw Control) system, which is used in the sedan and which serves to improve the stability of the machine on turns by redistributing the torque between the wheels. After all, this result of the use of high technologies could have served a good service to not very experienced drivers. Sorry, very sorry. True, in fairness it is worth recalling that this system is not put on every Lancer Evolution sedan, but only for the GSR modification. But still, was it really impossible to provide for its installation on a station wagon at least in the form of an option?
The design of the front suspension is rack, such as MacPherson's swinging candle, the rear suspension is a multi -link type. Springs are a special configuration. As for the brake mechanism, on the front wheels there are 17-inch brakes, 4-piston opposite location, on the rear wheels-16-inch brakes with 2 pistons. All from Brembo. However, the brake mechanism it is practically no different from what stands on the Lancer Evolution IX sedan. And why did not make any changes in it exactly? Probably, due to the fact that the designers are 100% sure: the measures that were taken to strengthen the stiffness of the universal body are sufficient for him to behave the same way as the sedan.
 
High-speed qualities are still fascinating
But finally, it's time to make a trial trip on a new car. I choose the GT- A machine, which, as its developers suggest, will have about 60% of sales, and I find myself in the driver's seat.
The side calipers of the back of the bucket -shaped chair from the Recero company are slightly lower than in the sedan. But given that this is a station wagon, it is for the better. In the cabin, the chrome -based decoration of door handles and ventilation windows of air supply is noteworthy. The design of the salon is traditionally performed at a level that quite satisfies me. But something that struck the imagination, I did not notice.
A trip to the test track track had to be performed in rather heavy rain. I gradually begin to put pressure on the gas pedal and suddenly understand that the car is easy to drive as well as the previous Lancer Evolution model. Automatic transmission control handle (InVECS-II Sport Mode) is provided) that I want to hold on to it. The car breaks forward very easily, very smoothly gaining speed. It’s easy to steer, the car clearly reacts to any steering wheel movement, quickly finds the direction what is desired by the driver and firmly holds on the line. I suddenly have the feeling that I am a more experienced driver than it really is. Since the birth of Lancer Evolution VIII, when this car has come out on the international arena, it became difficult to evaluate it objectively, her authority always presses you. But still I will allow myself to say that this car is far from the last in the world classification.
It is possible, however, that a driver with extensive experience can immediately feel that the Lancer Evolution Wagon is somewhat more hustered in the back, and even a little, but still lost in stiffness, and the engine is not so pulling. But I know that the ordinary driver, who is not able to get into such subtleties the most part of his driver's length of service with a unavailable variator. That's just a pity (I repeat again) that there is no Super Ayc system on the machine!
But enough about the body, everything is clear with him. In any case, the car has created quite comfortable control conditions. The suspension is quite stiff, but it works as it should. The trunk of the car is voluminous, although the niches under the rear wheels go into the luggage compartment deeper than usual. Normal, practical station wagon. Maybe I would also buy one for myself.
  
You need a brighter appearance
What other impressions of meeting with a new car made me? Perhaps the fact that the machine urgently needs to finalize the appearance. Of course, I can understand the developers who tried to explain to me that this is, they say, the station wagon, and he should look like a lot. And I in response: have you seen the car Porsche 911 Turbo? There are such wide wings behind the back that the car can hardly get into the board of the gates of the checkpoint at the entrance to the paid road. It looks very unusual. And why not do something similar from Lancer Evolution Wagon? Is it so difficult?
What else should you pay attention to? The price of a GT modification car in Japan is 3.465.000 yen, and for GT- A they ask for 3.412.500 yen ($ 31.500 and $ 31,000, respectively). So, a manual gearbox is valued a little higher. At the cost of the Lancer Evolution Wagon, the Subaru Legacy Wagon is comparable to the 3-liter modification. For the station wagon, which became almost cult, this is very little. It’s just a pity that it will be sold only until the end of 2005, and its circulation is limited by only 2500 cars. In the future, it seems to be not planned to supplement the Lancer Evolution line with a Lancer Evolution. That is, it is believed that the station wagon made on the basis of Lancer Evolution has no prospects.
What to say in conclusion? The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Wagon car has the same speed characteristics as the sedan of the corresponding model, and the plus for this has undeniable virtues in practical terms. In a sense, this is a model that should leave behind an indelible trace. And in order not to sigh with regret, you need, without hesitation, go to agree with the dealer while the car is still on sale.
2005
 
Translation: Auto.vl.ru
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Source: www.drom.ru