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Car was finally delivered from Japan today to Beaverton Mitsubishi per my order requests. After filling out some final paperwork it was time to go put on 100 miles, and see how it all felt.
The first thing I noticed was how much better the new seats are. The new seats feel like something you might experience in a high g roller coaster. They are really snug, and make your whole body immobilized from any lateral movement you may entice from the ride. I also like how the seat backs go up higher and offer better support for those of us over 6 feet.
The cabin space is also notably larger in the X, and the addition of 3 headrests for the backseat were an interesting touch in my opinion. Never really thought of an Evo being all about backseat comfort I guess.
Once thing I am going to miss though is the steering wheel on the VIII. I am uncertain as to if there is a size difference between the VIII and X steering wheel, but I will say the X's feel more sluggish in use. I dont mean to say that it turns slower or anything, but the new steering wheel just feels heavier. This may have something more to do with the actual rack and pinion or something else. But to me the VIII's steering wheel just seemed easier to turn, and more comfortable to hold on too. Oh yeah, the horn, if it was even possible, is now more girl-y then before.
You kind of forget about the steering wheel though when you hit the accelerator. The first thing you notice is how much low end torque this car has. Man, it just whips up and slams you into your seat instantly. The bad news is it feels like it immediately dies off. It leaves you feeling like you were just teased and leaves you wanting more. I can not wait until we can get some tuning capabilities and open that top end up, because right now its the cars, read engine, weakest component.
Once up to speed, I think the thing that surprised me the most was the handling. Wow, I thought the body was stiff on the VIII. It doesn't seem like the body even moves anymore. You hit the accelerator while pushing into a turn on this car and the damn thing feels like it just drives itself through the entire procedure. In fact, at times I thought I was a passenger and not the driver. I have no idea how Mitsu worked this technology up to be so damn fun. I tell you though, switching from the VIII to the X is going to be tough. I have gotten so used to all the handling characteristics and slides with the VIII, I found myself starting to correct for under steer every time I went into a turn. The problem was there was no under steer. The way this car goes through turns just feels unnatural, but its damn exhilarating! I almost felt like I was riding my ZRX1200r and not driving a car.
Now that we are done with our fun, its time to point on the daily commute feel of the car. The car is definitely much quieter then the VIII. Although there is still some amount of road noise that comes into the car, its not nearly as deafening on the hwy at 70 as the VIII was. The ride is also a lot more mellow. The car doesnt get pulled around by the ruts anymore, though I am not exactly sure why. The average daily bumps also don't transition into the car either anymore. This is a nice change as I might be able to drink coffee in my car again.
The new heating/cooling system is a big improvement over previous Evo's. Mitsubishi has switched to an auto system based on temperature that works great. The temperature control are also a lot easier to turn and handle, but with the new design, you wont find yourself in need to touch them much.
The new onboard computer and gadgets are very nice. Especially if you are a gadget freak like myself. You can get all sorts of strange information from the GPS unit. And the deck even has really good over all sound from the new multi speaker and sub system. The different trip computers are really interesting, and there is even a built in lap time counter on the Nav screen. I know where Ill be using that!
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The only complaint I have about the entire system is the weakness in the NAV voices, and the lack of any bluetooth options.
I think my biggest complaints about this car are the top end, the steering wheel, and that cheap as poo shift boot. What in the world were they thinking with that thing anyway? Overall I dont feel like the VIII or the IX are even comparable cars to the X. A lot of that boyish rawness is gone, and there just isn't any aggression in the cars exhaust notes. Its insanely quiet, even at 70mph. I really dont even think this car is going to be as noticable as the VIII and IX were. The VIII and IX just screamed 'LOOK AT ME', while the X seems to fit more into a role of blending in better with its surroundings. The only real give away is that gaping mouth at the front of the vehicle.
I am really enjoying the X already, and I look forward to getting some serious track time with her. However, I am really going to miss my VIII. One thing the X isnt filling for me is that supreme feeling of power I got from the VIII. Then again, this may not be fair because my VIII had 400WHP. As one of my good friends said, "Aw man, you pussed out. Man, your like old now."
The first thing I noticed was how much better the new seats are. The new seats feel like something you might experience in a high g roller coaster. They are really snug, and make your whole body immobilized from any lateral movement you may entice from the ride. I also like how the seat backs go up higher and offer better support for those of us over 6 feet.
The cabin space is also notably larger in the X, and the addition of 3 headrests for the backseat were an interesting touch in my opinion. Never really thought of an Evo being all about backseat comfort I guess.
Once thing I am going to miss though is the steering wheel on the VIII. I am uncertain as to if there is a size difference between the VIII and X steering wheel, but I will say the X's feel more sluggish in use. I dont mean to say that it turns slower or anything, but the new steering wheel just feels heavier. This may have something more to do with the actual rack and pinion or something else. But to me the VIII's steering wheel just seemed easier to turn, and more comfortable to hold on too. Oh yeah, the horn, if it was even possible, is now more girl-y then before.
You kind of forget about the steering wheel though when you hit the accelerator. The first thing you notice is how much low end torque this car has. Man, it just whips up and slams you into your seat instantly. The bad news is it feels like it immediately dies off. It leaves you feeling like you were just teased and leaves you wanting more. I can not wait until we can get some tuning capabilities and open that top end up, because right now its the cars, read engine, weakest component.
Once up to speed, I think the thing that surprised me the most was the handling. Wow, I thought the body was stiff on the VIII. It doesn't seem like the body even moves anymore. You hit the accelerator while pushing into a turn on this car and the damn thing feels like it just drives itself through the entire procedure. In fact, at times I thought I was a passenger and not the driver. I have no idea how Mitsu worked this technology up to be so damn fun. I tell you though, switching from the VIII to the X is going to be tough. I have gotten so used to all the handling characteristics and slides with the VIII, I found myself starting to correct for under steer every time I went into a turn. The problem was there was no under steer. The way this car goes through turns just feels unnatural, but its damn exhilarating! I almost felt like I was riding my ZRX1200r and not driving a car.
Now that we are done with our fun, its time to point on the daily commute feel of the car. The car is definitely much quieter then the VIII. Although there is still some amount of road noise that comes into the car, its not nearly as deafening on the hwy at 70 as the VIII was. The ride is also a lot more mellow. The car doesnt get pulled around by the ruts anymore, though I am not exactly sure why. The average daily bumps also don't transition into the car either anymore. This is a nice change as I might be able to drink coffee in my car again.
The new heating/cooling system is a big improvement over previous Evo's. Mitsubishi has switched to an auto system based on temperature that works great. The temperature control are also a lot easier to turn and handle, but with the new design, you wont find yourself in need to touch them much.
The new onboard computer and gadgets are very nice. Especially if you are a gadget freak like myself. You can get all sorts of strange information from the GPS unit. And the deck even has really good over all sound from the new multi speaker and sub system. The different trip computers are really interesting, and there is even a built in lap time counter on the Nav screen. I know where Ill be using that!
I think my biggest complaints about this car are the top end, the steering wheel, and that cheap as poo shift boot. What in the world were they thinking with that thing anyway? Overall I dont feel like the VIII or the IX are even comparable cars to the X. A lot of that boyish rawness is gone, and there just isn't any aggression in the cars exhaust notes. Its insanely quiet, even at 70mph. I really dont even think this car is going to be as noticable as the VIII and IX were. The VIII and IX just screamed 'LOOK AT ME', while the X seems to fit more into a role of blending in better with its surroundings. The only real give away is that gaping mouth at the front of the vehicle.
I am really enjoying the X already, and I look forward to getting some serious track time with her. However, I am really going to miss my VIII. One thing the X isnt filling for me is that supreme feeling of power I got from the VIII. Then again, this may not be fair because my VIII had 400WHP. As one of my good friends said, "Aw man, you pussed out. Man, your like old now."
