Test ace Mortara steps out of the car singing the praises of the MR, particularly the TC-SST's Super-Sport, which was purpose built for track days like this. While Mortara swears his MR time is the fastest of them all, that's not the case. The MR's 58.2-second lap time puts it just ahead of the STI, though it could have beat the GSR had our test vehicle not been plagued by a high-rpm hesitation. Mitsubishi claims to have already solved this problem and finalized the ECU software that has delayed the release of this MR. Look for a full test shortly.

The Decision

Ladieeeez and gentlemen, after three rounds and no knockout, we must go to the judges' cards. It's close, but the decision is unanimous: By virtue of its sharper handling and superior fun factor, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution takes the title of all-wheel-drive, turbo four-cylinder champion.

We can't wait for the rematch.

	2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION GSR	2008 SUBARU WRX STI
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
Drivetrain layout	Front engine, AWD	Front engine, AWD
Engine type	Turbocharged I-4, alum block/heads	Turbocharged flat-4, alum block/heads
Valvetrain	DOHC, 4 valves/cyl	DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
Displacement	121.9 cu in/1998cc	149.9 cu in/2457cc
Compression ratio	9.0:1	8.2:1
Power (SAE net)	291 hp @ 6500 rpm	305 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (SAE net)	300 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm	290 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Redline	7000 rpm	6700 rpm
Weight to power	12.2 lb/hp (est)	11.0 lb/hp
Transmission	5-speed manual	6-speed manual
Axle/final-drive ratios	4.69:1/3.57:1	3.90:1/2.95:1
Suspension, front; rear	Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar	Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, anti-roll bar
Steering ratio	13.3:1	15.0:1
Turns lock-to-lock	2.3	2.8
Brakes, f;r	13.8-in vented disc; 13.0-in vented disc, ABS	13.0-in vented disc; 12.6-in vented disc, ABS
Wheels, f;r	8.5 x 18 in, cast aluminum	8.5 x 18-in cast aluminum
Tires, f;r	245/40R18 93Y Yokohama Advan A13	245/40R18 93W Dunlop SP Sport 600
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase	104.3 in	103.3 in
Track, f/r	60.8/60.8 in	60.2/60.6 in
Length x width x height	177.0 x 71.3 x 58.3 in	173.8 x 70.7 x 58.1 in
Turning circle	38.7 ft	36.1 ft
Curb weight	3585 lb	3356 lb
Weight dist., f/r	56/44%	58/42%
Seating capacity	5	5
Headroom, f/r	39.6/36.9 in	40.3/37.6 in
Legroom, f/r	42.2/36.1 in	43.5/33.5 in
Shoulder room, f/r	54.7/54.3 in	54.8/53.2 in
Cargo volume	N/A	19.0 cu ft
TEST DATA
Acceleration to mph
0-30	1.6 sec	1.3 sec
0-40	2.6	2.3
0-50	3.7	3.3
0-60	5.2	4.7
0-70	6.9	6.3
0-80	9	8.2
0-90	11.4	10.6
0-100	13.9	13.3
Passing, 45-65 mph	2.8	2.7
Quarter mile	13.8 sec @ 99.3 mph	13.4 sec @ 100.4 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph	111 ft	106 ft
Lateral acceleration	0.99 g (avg)	0.94 g (avg)
MT figure eight	25.1 sec @ 0.74 g (avg)	25.3 sec @ 0.73 g (avg)
1.04-mi road course lap	57.6 sec	58.6 sec
Top-gear revs @ 60 mph	2900 rpm	2400 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
Base price	$34,000 (est)	$35,640
Price as tested	$34,000 (est)	$39,440
Stability/traction control	Yes/no	Yes/Yes
Airbags	Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, driver knee	Dual front, front side, f/r curtain
Basic warranty	3 yrs/36,000 miles	3 yrs/36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty	5 yrs/60,000 miles	5 yrs/60,000 miles
Roadside assistance	5 yrs/Unlimited	3 yrs/36,000 miles
Fuel capacity	16.9 gal	14.0 gal
EPA city/hwy econ	16/22 mpg	17/23 mpg
CO2 emissions	1.06 lb/mile	1.01 lb/mile
MT fuel economy	16.3 mpg	15.2 mpg
Recommended fuel	Unleaded premium	Unleaded premium