Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10 arrives in Malaysia

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia unveiled its tenth-generation Lancer Evolution yesterday, a relatively short 10 months after it made its Japanese debut.

Interestingly, the car is not tagged as the Evolution X here, instead only being called the Lancer Evolution. Supposedly, the X suffix has been dropped from overseas markets to present a different image for the vehicle. Oh well, whatever works ...

Some quick facts about the already familiar-shaped AWD vehicle. The 4B11 2.0l four-cylinder twin-cam, twin scroll turbocharged pot on this one features 291bhp (276bhp for the JDM unit at point of introduction), and 366Nm of torque. The grand news is that there is no speed limiter on this one, so expect this one to be a whole load of fun.

MMM is not offering the vehicle in its five-speed, close ratio manual option form, so the only drivetrain type is the Twin Clutch SST six-speed automated manual transmission, which puts odd (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even (2nd, 4th and 6th) gears on separate input shafts, each with its own clutch.

The system allows the driver to choose between Autoshift fully automatic shifting and Manual Shift, where the driver can change gears as with a manual transmission. A toggle switch located at the base of the shift selector allows the driver to choose between Normal, Sport and Super Sport modes for the optimum shift scheduling.

For electronic aids, there's S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control), an advanced vehicle dynamics control system which integrates the management of the ACD (Active Centre Differential), AYC (Active Yaw Control), ASC (Active Stability Control) and Sport ABS component systems.

While continuing on the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension arrangement used on previous models in the series, this one features a revamped suspension layout with wider tracks.

The factory-fit equipment list includes Bilstein single tube shock absorbers and Eibach coil springs, as seen on the Evo IX MR. It also includes Brembo two-piece ventilated disc brakes, lighter by 1.3kg per piece over standard Brembo discs, and 18-inch BBS lightweight alloy wheels.

Other standard issue items include a 7-Airbag System (driver and front passenger SRS airbags, side and curtain airbags and driver knee airbag), ELR seatbelt with pretensioner and force limiter and HID headlamps with AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System).

To complete the premium offering, the new Evolution also comes with Recaro full bucket front seats, multi-mode information display, genuine leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel with mounted audio controls and cruise control buttons and a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate Premium Sound System. Other functional features include a keyless operating system and sunroof.

MMM is aiming to sell 50 units of the type till the end of the year; so far, there have been 30 bookings for the car.

The new Lancer Evolution is priced at RM315,436 (on the road, without insurance), and the car comes with a one-year or 20,000km warranty. Three colours are available, these being Red Metallic, Phantom Black Pearl and White Solid.