2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR
Price |
$34,199 |
Production |
-- | ||
Engine |
2 liter Inline-4 |
Weight |
3285 lbs | ||
Aspiration |
intercooled turbo |
Torque |
286 @ 3500 rpm | ||
HP |
276 @ 6500 rpm |
HP/Weight |
11.9 lbs per hp | ||
HP/Liter |
138 hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- | ||
0-62 mph |
-- |
Top Speed |
-- |
(from Mitsubishi
Press Release) When the Lancer Evolution debuted in North
America in 2003, it did something extraordinary: it lived up to the
hype. "The Evolution proved that Mitsubishi not only could compete
with the best performance cars in the world, but that we could offer
something most performance cars don't," said Ian Beavis, senior vice
president of marketing for Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA).
"And that's value."
Not content to rest on past achievements or awards, Mitsubishi
continues to refine one of Japan's most revered - and one of the
world's best-handling - competition-derived production cars. Finding
room for improvement was no small task, so Mitsubishi turned to one
of the world's most powerful automotive microscopes: Nurburgring.
The Nurburgring Nordschleife is notorious for its bumpy and
undulating surfaces, twisting corners and changes in surface
friction. It was there that engineers discovered one potential area
of improvement for the Lancer Evolution. "Better driving quality"
became an engineering mantra. The Nurburgring test results brought
home the need to deliver every bit of power to the road surface
through all four tires; it also showed the need for accurate
feedback that gives the driver the highest level of control over
where those tires are placed. As the result of years of development
focused on ride and handling, Mitsubishi introduces the next level
in handling performance: the Lancer Evolution MR Edition.
MR EDITION: A HIGH-PERFORMANCE TRADITION
The tradition of the
high-performance Mitsubishi Racing moniker dates back to 1970, with
the Mitsubishi Galant GTO MR, Mitsubishi's first production car
powered by a DOHC engine that boasted 125 horsepower. So while times
- and engine outputs - have changed, Mitsubishi's commitment to
performance has not.
The Lancer Evolution MR Edition strikes the delicate balance between
grace and power. Building on the Lancer Evolution's rally-proven
reputation, the MR Edition pushes the performance envelope even
further with improvements to the crucial elements that make driving
a true pleasure. Engine output was increased, but more power was not
the top priority. Although the recent meteoric rise of horsepower
figures seems to be the top selling point for many new vehicles,
Mitsubishi focused its development efforts on the intricate
coordination between engine output and handling performance.
FOCUSED ON PERFORMANCE
The Evolution MR Edition
features several handling- and ride-enhancing features: a
lightweight aluminum roof panel (a first for a Japanese production
model), designed to lower the center of gravity and reduce the roll
moment; jointly developed Bilstein(R) monotube shock absorbers to
improve road holding; and new lightweight forged alloy wheels
courtesy of BBS(R).
On all Lancer Evolutions, the 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder DOHC
intercooled-turbocharged engine is tuned to deliver maximum power
over the mid- to high-rev band, generating 286 lb-ft of torque at
3500 rpm. Horsepower also has increased - from 271 to 276 hp,
available at 6500 rpm.
As an exclusive for the MR Edition, a six-speed transmission makes
the power more accessible. The Evolution's AWD system gains an
Active Center Differential (ACD) and front limited-slip, which -
combined with Sports ABS - creates a more natural, better-mannered
driving feel. Man and machine have never been so intimately linked.
EXTERIOR
Compared to the
five-speed Lancer Evolution, the new Lancer Evolution MR Edition is
distinguished by the addition of an exclusive new color called
Graphite Gray. Named after a carbon compound that implies
lightweight and strength, Graphite Gray complements other dark color
tones and reflects the Lancer Evolution's extensive use of carbon,
aluminum and other high-tech materials. The color also accentuates
the model's no-frill functional aesthetics. The outboard faces of
the rear-deck spoiler plates use a dark gray finish close to the
color of the carbon wing, replacing the body color-keyed treatment
on the other colors.
Also exclusive to the new MR Edition, strong fin-design BBS(R)
forged aluminum alloy wheels each weigh 2.76 lbs (1.25 kg) less than
the standard wheels. Less unsprung mass means that the Evolution MR
Edition's four-wheel independent suspension is able to react more
quickly to bumps and other road irregularities. The wheels sport a
dark gray finish that complements the car's signature color scheme.
At the trailing edge of the MR Edition's roof, a vortex generator
creates small vortices that reduce drag and increase the down force
generated by the rear-deck spoiler. The generator vanes are finished
in the same dark gray as the outer panels of the spoiler.
The MR Edition is available in four colors: Wicked White, Rally Red,
Apex Silver, and Graphite Gray. The Lancer Evolution VIII is not
available in gray, but adds Tarmac Black, Lightning Yellow, and one
new color: Electric Blue.
INTERIOR
The Lancer Evolution's
interior presents a clean environment that complements the
purposeful, performance-honed exterior design. As a reminder of
what's just overhead, the Evolution MR Edition adds an aluminum
shift knob; an aluminum and carbon fiber brake lever handle; and
aluminum pedals. The track-tuned Evolution RS also benefits from the
newly available aluminum roof.
The MR Edition's sport meter gauge kit is made up of a three-ring
gauge cluster located in the center stack. The gauges display boost,
voltage and oil pressure. Another unique feature for the MR Edition:
a stainless steel plate embossed with the "Lancer Evolution MR" name
badge. As with the trunk lid emblem, the "MR" designation is
finished in red to stamp its presence more vividly on the interior.
On all Lancer Evolutions, an ACD indicator is located on the
combination meter, inside the tachometer display. The switch itself
(Tarmac/Gravel/Snow) is located on the dash just to the left of the
steering column. An optional 315-watt Infinity audio system includes
a trunk-mounted subwoofer. (This option is not available on the MR
Edition or the RS.) Larger cup holders are added to the console.
THE EVOLUTION AND JENNY CRAIG
For the new MR Edition,
Mitsubishi extracted weight from the already lean Evolution without
sacrificing strength or durability. In fact, in total 27.6 lbs (12.5
kg) of mass was taken out by replacing steel parts in favor of
high-strength aluminum.
A lightweight aluminum roof and lightweight, high-strength aluminum
door impact bars lower the center of gravity and reduce roll moment.
The aluminum impact bars (shared with all Evolutions) account for a
reduction of 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) per car, and the MR Edition and RS's
aluminum roof saves another 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg).
Forged BBS(R) aluminum alloy wheels - each of which weighs 2.76 lbs
(1.25 kg) less than the standard Enkei wheels -- mean less unsprung
mass, which in turn fully optimizes the quick reflexes of the new
specially tuned Bilstein(R) shocks.
The front door side impact bars have been changed from steel to
high-strength aluminum, reducing weight nearly 8 lbs (3.5 kg) while
providing the same level of impact safety. The new door impact bars
are used in the entire Lancer Evolution line, while the aluminum
roof is offered only on the MR Edition and RS.
2005 LANCER EVOLUTION LINEUP
For the 2005 model year,
the Lancer Evolution continues to evolve, and the addition of a
higher-performance MR Edition model to the Lancer Evolution family
is not the only change.
The same engine modifications that help the MR Edition achieve its
higher output also make their way into the entire Lancer Evolution
lineup, as do the additions of the Active Center Differential and
front helical Limited Slip Differential. To moderate input on the
drivetrain and reduce the load on the clutch, the engine is set to
not climb above 5000 rpm when the car is still or when the clutch
pedal is pressed.
The track-ready Evolution RS also receives one body panel from the
MR Edition: its roof, which is made of lightweight aluminum for
lower weight and a lower center of gravity. The RS also receives
thin trunk-lid sheet metal to decrease weight.
For Lancer Evolutions equipped with the five-speed transmission,
changes to the shape of the select return spring make it easier to
feel the neutral position. A Teflon liner on the shift selector
cable improves the precision of the shift knob positioning.
NEW 315-WATT INFINITY SOUND SYSTEM
The Lancer Evolution stands for more than pure driving performance. Audio performance has been upgraded with an optional high-powered Infinity amplifier that delivers 45 watts through each of seven channels, for a total of 315 watts. Two 19-millimeter tweets are mounted on the A-pillar, four 16-centimeter full range speakers are mounted on the front doors and rear shelf, and a 20-centimeter subwoofer is integrated in a 20-liter enclosure that's mounted on the right side of the trunk. The Infinity audio system is available only on the Lancer Evolution.