Evo 8 Review Australia | Features, Specification, Price

• Car Reviews,
• Jun 04, 2020

The story of the Lancer Evolution started in 1992, with the introduction of the car as a high performing version of the Mitsubishi Lancer. Initially, the Evolution was marketed in Japan only, and after getting positive overwhelming feedback, was soon available around the World. Such was its success, that Mitsubishi had to launch subsequent models after the first evolution, and the legend of the Lancer Evolution was brought to life.

 

There are some subtle and not-so-subtle differences between the Mitsubishi Lancer and the enhanced Lancer Evolution. The overall styling and body are almost similar in both cars, with the Evo looking more aggressive and sportier look. Its reduced ride height, flared fenders and the half-moon shaped cooling vent on the hood sets it apart from the Lancer.

 

The History of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution:

The Evo is not your regular car and can be traced back to fifty years. Mitsubishi in those days had been trying to establish itself as a car manufacturing company and compete with the global market, and what better way to do that than make a name in the racing community. In their attempts, Mitsubishi developed various high-end cars to compete, finally emerging with the Lancer 1600GSR in 1974.  By then, the company had made a name for themselves as pitching high technology and robustness in their vehicles. And then the Lancer Evolution arrived in the picture.

 

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, or Evo as it is mostly referred to started manufacturing in 1992 and ended in 2016. In this time frame, a total of 10 versions were rolled out with each version designated a roman numeral. All the models have two-liter turbo four-cylinder engines and AWD in common. Let us look at Evo 8 review and the features which make it so special among the series.

 

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8:

Mitsubishi specifically aimed at drivers who want great handling with high speed, and this exactly what you get when you buy the car. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 follows the same turbocharged four-cylinder engine like the previous versions along with a sports suspension and four-wheel drive.

 

The Evolution 8 was launched with three variants, namely the Evo VIII, Evo RS, and the Evo MR. The Evo 8 horsepower is an overwhelming 271, which makes it practically ready for the next racing event should you require. The transmission is a five-speed manual, with a luxurious interior, sporty seats, and a big rear wing. The Evo VIII gets additional Brembo brakes and an active center differential switch. The MR version adds a six-speed shift boot and some additional exciting features.

 

Mitsubishi Evo 8 Specifications:

Mitsubishi did not leave any stone unturned when it comes to the features and performance for the Evo 8. A satisfying 271 hp is produced using a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a torque of 3500. Using a custom-designed turbine nozzle, a midrange punch is also given to the engine for that extra boost that you want. With these engine features, one can only imagine how impressive the acceleration is.

 

You get an extra burst of speed since all four wheels engage when you put your foot down on that accelerator and can reach 0-60 mph in just over 5 seconds. Another feature that speed lovers can appreciate is the five-speed manual transmission which allows for short throws and is great for quick shifts.

 

The next notable thing is the brakes; the Evo 8 is equipped with Brembo clippers on all four wheels, which can bring the car to a halt in a surprisingly short amount of time. The suspension for the Evo is like that of the previous Evolution VII, which makes the handling one of the best that is available. You can take sharp turns on your Evo at high speeds with no effect on the dynamics whatsoever.

 

Mitsubishi Evo 8 Features:

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII comes with standard 17-inch Enkei wheels, grey in color, Bilstein shocks for better traction on any kind of rod condition, and the Brembo brakes which we mentioned before. All the models and variants for the Evo 8 come supported with chrome taillights and headlights housings.

 

The center of gravity is greatly improved due to the aluminum roof panel and other reductions in the overall weight of the car. In addition to that, some improvements have been made in the four-wheel drive to make it quicker and get to high speeds in a shorter amount of time.

 

Almost all the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII variants come with a carbon fiber rear spoiler and matching endplates. Some differences can be noted between the version that was rolled out in the USA and the one which is being sold in Japan: the US versions of the Evo 8 have rear bumpers that are bulkier. However, all the versions have the same hoods and fenders made of aluminum, making the weight even lighter.

 

The MR edition for the Evo 8 has some additional features that are worth mentioning here. It has a six-speed manual transmission, BBS wheels which can be added as optional and a vortex generator. The engine is also improved with a larger than before turbo diameter mouth and lighter balance shafts. In the exterior, some changes that were made include HID headlights, rear badging, and updated taillights.

 

Mitsubishi Evo 8 Price:

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 had a hefty price which ranged from $20,000 to $30,000. This may seem a bit high for a Japanese sporty car, but when you look at the features, specifications and the overall package that you are buying with this money, the price might be a bit easier to swallow. You can also get additional customizations at a very minimal price range.

 

Mitsubishi Evo 8 Review:

One thing to note about the Evo 8 is its ability to steer tight turns easily, at high speeds. That said, in other situations, the car exhibits a neutral balance. The suspension is commendable, combined with the reduced center of gravity due to the aluminum body parts. All in all, the overall control and stability is not something that you will hear complaints about.

 

On highways, you will find that the Evo 8 is surprisingly adept. Alas, that cannot be said of its performance over rough terrain. This can be traced to the stiff shocks and springs. Moving on, the Evo has ample seating space, and four adults can be seated comfortably even for drives to far off places.