The Evolution X is the latest incarnation of a long and distinguished line of rally-for-road cars from Mitsubishi. Like its predecessors, it has earned a strong following among enthusiasts.
Armed with the latest 4-wheel drive technology and electronic traction aids, this super sedan from Japan tips the power and torque scales at 280bhp and a tarmac-twisting 422Nm – good enough for a 0-100km/h time of 5 seconds flat.
The top dog Evolution X is the SST, which is Mitsubishi-speak for an Evolution with a dual-clutch 6-speed sequential gearbox. But, for most, the “lesser” GSR model in the range – with “only” a 5-speed manual – is the one to go for.
And it was this amount saved that prompted Tommy, the owner of the black beauty you see here, to opt for the GSR instead of the SST. With the savings, he went to McWell Ventures, one of the few local tuners equipped with a dyno, to have his car modified with a number of carefully selected parts.
As a result, the car now has 353bhp on tap and, more importantly, 465Nm of torque (from 422Nm). Put it this way: This car has more torque than such performance icons as the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and the BMW M3.
The key to this increase in performance is the Zage TD05-18G hybrid turbocharger. Optimised for up to 1.2 bar pressure of boost, it measures more than six inches across.
The newly designed turbine nozzle area delivers a large volume of charged air through the Blitz front-mounted intercooler and into the engine for increased performance.
Other engine mods are a set of Cosworth camshafts designed for higher valve lift and duration, a Sard fuel pressure regulator, and HKS air intake and exhaust systems with twin large diameter titanium tailpipes.
Taking care of engine management is an EcuTek re-flash, which was tuned and confirmed on the dyno, while an HKS EVC boost controller was added for on-the-fly turbocharger control and adjustability.
To allow Tommy to exploit the Evolution’s newfound power on the track, the car’s undercarriage was beefed up with a host of Cusco components. These include front and rear strut bars, low arm bars, and a pair of front and rear stabiliser bars.
I have experienced faster cars with astronomical power and torque outputs. But the way this car hunkers down, grips the road and zooms forward is just as memorable.
A tad of turbo lag is present just before the Zage unit spools up, but this makes it even more fun to drive. It reminds me of the first Evolution that I drove – the Evolution III. Floor the throttle, wait a while, and suddenly – whoosh! Everything ahead zooms into view as the car surges forward.
Snatch another gear and the whole episode is replayed – but, this time, the surroundings are blurry as you hit licence-losing speeds.
Tommy’s choice of installing a larger turbocharger is an excellent one. Despite a preset maximum boost pressure of just 1 bar, the car proves to be really quick.
Next up, this Evolution will be going for stronger engine internals, with new pistons and con-rods. A new big brake kit is also planned. Then, it will be time to see what the Zage turbocharger can really do.
+ ENGINE/ELECTRONICS
EcuTek re-flash programming
Defi oil temp, oil pressure and boost gauges
HKS EVC EBC
Cosworth high-lift cams
Zage TD05-18G hybrid turbocharger
HKS air intake system
HKS exhaust system
Sard fuel pressure regulator
Blitz intercooler
+ UNDERCARRIAGE
Cusco strut bars
Cusco low arm bars
Cusco stabiliser bars
JIC FAS coilovers
+ BRAKES
Dixel brake disc rotors
