Perhaps the only criticism one can throw at the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution series is how cautiously it took in each upgrade.  From the Galant VR-4 replacing Evolution III all the way to the Evolution IX, Mitsubishi's quintessential sports car merely added a dash more spice to an otherwise proven and decade-old formula.  Though there was nothing generally wrong with this approach, its competitors soon caught up fast.  Be it in outright power or handling, the likes of the Subaru Impreza and even, the Mazdaspeed 3 soon were reaching the same levels of hooliganism as a stock Evolution.  But times are changing at Mitsubishi.  It seems that mere evolution wasn't enough to keep it ahead of the sports car market.  It needed a radical re-think.  It needed the Lancer Evolution X.

Despite the Evolution name, the Evo X represents the biggest leap both in terms of design and innovation in Mitsubishi's long line of World Rally Championship (WRC) bred sports cars.  For one, the Evo X isn't based on any existing or any upcoming WRC car, where Mitsubishi as a constructor, pulled out more than two years ago.  Instead, Mitsubishi promises that the Evolution X carries on the WRC tradition while adding technology and features that make it more of a proper autobahn stormer.

At the heart of the Evo X is an all-new engine.  Eschewing the familiar 4G63 engine for an all aluminum 4B11 engine.  Weighing in at 12 kilograms lighter, the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder returns 280 horsepower (the Japanese mandatory figure) and 422 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm.  In combination with MIVEC technology on both intake and exhaust camshafts, the Evo X gives a much better response through the rev range compared to the iron block 4G63.  At the same time, the 4B11 gives 50 percent less emissions than before.  Like before, the Evo X's turbocharger is made a titanium-aluminum alloy turbine with aluminum alloy compressor.  The engine is also mounted lower than before thanks to a rearward facing exhaust manifold.

The advanced power plant is mated to an equally high-tech transmission system which uses a new twin-clutch 6-speed automatic gearbox for the top-of-the-line model.  Essentially the same system used in the Audi/Volkswagen DSG gearbox, Mitsubishi's Twin Clutch SST provides lightning fast shifting and seamless engagement of power since the automatic utilizes a clutch rather than a torque converter to transmit power.  The Twin Clutch SST system can be left in full automatic mode (the first for an Evolution with the exception of the GT-A model) or can be shifted either via the floor-mounted shifter or via magnesium steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.  Though still available with a manual gearbox, stick shift purists will not like the fact that the Evo X will still make use of a 5-speed 'box.

The Evo's trademark--its all-wheel drive gets an extensive overhaul in the Evolution X.  Underneath the nicely chiseled lines lie Mitsubishi's new S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control).  The S-AWC integrates various technologies such as Active Stability Control (another Evo first), Active Center Differential, Active Yaw Control and Anti-lock Brakes, managing them to enable the car to exact precision and control for both spirited and everyday performance.  The S-AWC offers three operating modes: TARMAC (dry and paved sufraces); GRAVEL (wet or unmade surfaces), and SNOW (for snow covered surfaces).

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