We've seen the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution before. You've seen the Evo before. Your Grandma Jean and her friend Esther have probably seen it, too. On Day 1 of the show, Mitsubishi didn't even bother covering it up with black sheets... So there's nothing really new to report on the Evo outside of what we discovered on the First Drive, although I'd swear the wing has gotten bigger.
The bigger news in Lancerland regarded the all-show-little-go Lancer GTS. As noted numerous times in our long-term blog, the GTS is a tad deficient in low-end power. Let it drop below 3,000 rpm and you might as well be aboard a ride-on John Deere lawn special. For 2009, the GTS will get the Outlander's new 2.4-liter MIVEC four-cylinder that makes a much more robust 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. Compare that to the current GTS (and the lower level trims that will stay unchanged) with its 2.0-liter engine, 152 hp and 146 lb-ft. Paired to the five-speed manual (I'd still skip the optional CVT), the 2009 GTS should be a big improvement and give class fun leaders the Mazda3 and Honda Civic a better run for their money. -- James Riswick, Associate Editor
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Mitsu still has a huge gap between the EVO and the GTS.
That's what the Ralliart will be for.
Wait a minute. Since when does the Outlander have a 2.4L I-4?
Yep, I spoke with a young lady from Mitsu North America and supposedly, if the base trim levels of the Lancer sold well this year, which they have, then the Ralliart to be released mid to late summer of 2008 as a 2009 model will have the Evo IX drive train (awd) and a turbo 2.0 I4 to be aimed at 225 HP. This is to compete with the Subaru WRX more directly since they never really had a model to fill that slot before in the U.S. Hope she is right and it does come out, because I would definitely be interested in that.
^ That'd be a great idea. I'm sure a lot of fans would love to see that.