Remember when the market was full of hot compacts? Subaru WRX, Mazdaspeed3, and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution were the hottest, and then it seems several of them bailed on us, leaving Subaru with the market all to itself (though some Volkswagen GTI folks may disagree). The hottest of the bunch was the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and the final iteration of this special model — a 2014 Lancer Evolution X GSR — is our Pick of the Day. It is being sold on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Denver. (Click the link to view the listing)
Though it comes off as a mouthful, here’s how it breaks down for those unfamiliar with the car: the Lancer was Mitsubishi’s compact series. The Evolution was the rally-inspired street model. X was the 10th generation of this model, which was introduced for the 2008 model year and produced through 2016, though 2015 was the last year for North America. GSR was the entry-level trim for us Yanks, and the only one with a manual transmission (a five-speed) because all of the higher trim levels featured a six-speed TC-SST dual-clutch transmission. Eighteen-inch Enkei alloys, Brembo brake rotors and Super All-Wheel Control all-wheel drive system were standard, along with Recaro sport seats. Horsepower from the turbo and intercooled 2.0-liter inline-four was 291 at 6,500 rpm, with torque being 300 ft-lb at 4,400 rpm.
Road testers of the time felt the Evolution X was pricey at closer to $40,000, with Autoweek suggesting one’s initial impulse was “to roll your eyes and scoff.” Less refined than competitors, the Evolution X was still the fastest of the bunch. “The Lancer Evolution is, in short, nearly everything I want in a car and almost nothing I don’t want. I can’t recall a car I connected with so quickly or had so much fun simply hooning.” Mid-4-second 0-60 sprints were not unusual.
This 51,488-mile 2014 Mitsubishi Evolution X GSR features the equipment you’d expect in this model, like the Recaros and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive with adjustments in three modes: tarmac, gravel and snow. The seller states that “the owner has also added an aftermarket sound system which includes a subwoofer,” plus other upgrades that include fuel pump, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, ETS intercooler and K&N intake.
A car with this type of mechanical presence is a rarity these days, especially with smooth electrical torque being the flavor of the day. This is a car for those who derive pleasure from driver input, if not for a daily-driver masochist. If you need to put some hair on your chest, there may not be a better tonic for $35,000.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
