2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR

We've had two previous-generation Evos in our long-term fleet, and neither of them ever spent a night alone in the garage. They were moving all the time, thrilling everyone who drove them, and turning even boring commutes into events. So, the addition of the newest version to our roster should come as no surprise. It also shares parking space with a new Subi STI, giving us a year-long version of one of the most popular comparison tests in magazine history. Mitsu didn't short-sheet us on this one. Not only is our tester the hottest-of-the-hot MR version, but it packs the SST twin-clutch automatic tranny that everyone wants to know about.

Early returns are good. Although the new Evo isn't as manic as the previous model, it's a better car in just about every other way and a lot easier to live with. It rides better than the Evo VIII and IX, has a more capable suspension, and offers technology the other car couldn't match (such as a nav system). The transmission is drawing solid praise, too. We haven't had a chance to drive our car in rain, snow, or on gravel, so we haven't yet adequately evaluated all the different transmission or diff modes, but those opportunities will come with winter. Well, maybe not the gravel.

After break-in, we took our new toy to the track, where it performed admirably, if not as quick in a straight line as the old car. Zero-to-60 now takes 5.3 seconds; our previous Evo IX MR took a half second less. The new car shows its aplomb on the skidpad, where it sticks to 0.95 g as opposed to the old model's 0.92. Our figure-eight test combines all performance parameters, and here the two cars are much the same, at 25.6 seconds a lap for the new one, 25.7 for the previous MR. In short, what the Evo X gives up in acceleration, it makes up for in handling, grip, and braking.

An area of unquestioned improvement is the interior. The new Evo's materials, fit, and finish are many moons ahead of its predecessors and, as noted, offers interior trappings never thought of on the old one. A few staffers bemoan the thickly bolstered sport seats-until they drive the car on a mountain road, lauding their support and grip on one's backside.

So far, there are no service or mechanical problems to report. Let's just hope it doesn't get into a cat fight with the WRX STI one night when nobody is around.