2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR

When the rally-bred Evolution arrived here in 2003, it was hailed as a raw performance machine that delivered supercar thrills for family-car money. We even named it our 2004 Automobile of the Year. For 2008, there's an all-new Evo. But, as in life, with age comes additional weight, and maturity brings refinement and dampens youthful energy.

Naturally, we were anxious to find out if the Evo has gone soft. We chose a top-spec MR model for our fleet, eager to test its exclusive six-speed dual-clutch transmission, which quickly became the subject of much discussion. The gearbox can be manually shifted with steering-wheel paddles or a traditional gear lever, but many still yearn for the man/machine bond of a true manual.

The MR's standard equipment includes Bluetooth, automatic climate control, HID headlights, Recaro seats, and eighteen-inch forged wheels. With the $2550 technology package, our Evo sports a Rockford Fosgate stereo, satellite radio, and a nav system, but its sticker still shocked many staffers. The Evo GSR, with its five-speed manual transmission and $33,665 base price, is a better choice for purists and the budget conscious.

All of that growing up has made the Evo slightly less edgy than the smaller, lighter, and crazier last-generation Evo. But the soul of the car remains, with phenomenal grip, excellent balance, and direct steering that will surely keep us entertained for the next year.

Notes
712 miles "Nothing compares with hustling the Mitsubishi Evo through some curves," enthuses senior Web editor Phil Floraday. "The incredible grip and quick turn-in make the car feel lighter than it is. The Evo is so easy to control and so dynamically forgiving that even a complete doofus can look good behind the wheel."