MPG-o-Matic 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring Review Summary: The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring is positioned as the most-refined entry in the legendary EVO lineup, for those that enjoy spirited driving without generating too much attention. Outfitted with goodies including BBS wheels, Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, Brembo brakes, and Recaro bucket seats, the EVO MR Touring uses top-shelf parts, while forgoing the decklid wing in favor of a discreet spoiler. The Evolution MR Touring goes head-to-head with the 2011 Subaru WRX STI sedan and little else.
The all-wheel-drive (AWD) 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (EVO) MR Touring is equipped with a 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control system) turbocharged and inter-cooled inline four cylinder engine producing 291 horsepower (HP) and 300 foot pounds of torque. The EVO MR Touring is only available with a six-speed twin-clutch TC-SST automatic transmission, developed by Getrag. (The EVO GSR is fitted with a five-speed manual transmission).
The official fuel economy estimates for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO MR Touring are 17 city / 22 highway miles per gallon.
We traveled more than 600 miles in our Phantom Black EVO MR Touring review unit and were able to beat the official mileage estimates, with an average of 26.4 MPG on the Interstate highway and 21.2 MPG combined, with temperatures ranging from the mid-seventies through the mid-one hundreds. Interstate highway testing temperatures were in the mid-seventies through low-eighties. The test vehicle was delivered with just under 12000 miles on the odometer.
The EVO MR Touring is equipped with 18 x 8.5 inch BBS forged aluminum alloy wheels and P245/40R18 Yokohama ADVAN asymmetrical performance tread. (The Evolution GSR and SE are fitted with identical tires and Enkei cast aluminum alloy wheels.)
Interstate Mileage Testing:
- Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, windows up: 26.3 MPG
- Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, windows up: 26.5 MPG
The 291 HP turbo four is a screamer. We were able to achieve 0-60 mile per hour (MPH) times in the 5.1 second range, roughly half a second faster than the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart we tested previously.
Highway driving range is fair. All 2010 Lancer EVOs are fitted with a 14.5 gallon fuel tank and are designed to run premium unleaded fuel.
Curb Weight: The 2010 EVO MR-Touring weighs 3624 pounds, while the MR comes in at 3594 and the SE at 3572 pounds. The five-speed manual GSR is the lightest of the bunch at 3517 pounds.
The EVO MR is equipped with four sensor, four channel ABS anti-lock brakes using Brembo components (13.8-inch ventilated two-piece front rotors / 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors with 2-piston calipers).
Nestled between the tachometer and speedometer, the EVO’s Multi-information Center uses a color LCD to great effect as it displays a host of data, including average and real-time fuel economy, trip meter, outside temperature, fuel range, service reminder, ACD mode, TC-SST mode, and S-AWC status.
We always recommend using a real-time MPG gauge to encourage a fuel-efficient light-footed driving style and the EVO’s thermometer-style gauge is well done. You can also track historical mileage data on the Navigation display.
So how does it handle? Quite simply, the EVO is a rocket on rails. Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel-Control (S-AWC) provides a high level of confidence, with settings for tarmac, gravel, and snow. When it’s time to slow down, the Brembo brakes haul it down in a hurry.
The six-speed Twin-Clutch SST automatic delivers rapid-fire shifts. Manual control over gearing is achieved through the slapstick or steering column mounted paddle shifters. Normal, Sport, and S-Sport transmission settings cover all the bases.
The EVO MR Touring’s cabin features deeply-bolstered leather Recaro front buckets with two-level heating. Seat controls are strictly manual and adjustable lumbar support is not offered.
The Touring package also includes a power sunroof, automatic rain-sensing wipers, automatic on-off headlamps, heated door mirrors, insulated front windshield glass, and enhanced sound insulation.
With Mitsubishi’s magnesium-alloy paddle shifters and integrated audio, cruise, and Bluetooth controls, a driver’s hands stay safely on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. (Bluetooth is standard.)
Our review unit was equipped with the Navigation Package, which includes some nifty touches, including a 40GB hard-drive digital music server, DVD video playback, an altimeter and barometer. USB support is provided in the current EVO. Our test unit was early in the model run, and did not have a USB port.
A 710-watt Sirius satellite-equipped nine-speaker Rockford-Fosgate Punch audio system (with a trunk-mounted brain-rattling ten-inch dual-voice coil subwoofer) is standard in the EVO MR. (The GSR and SE are fitted with a 140-watt six-speaker system.)
The Lancer Evolution is equipped with a single twelve-volt outlet at the base of the dash, alongside the auxiliary audio input jack.
The EVO’s rear seating area, although rated for three, works best for two and includes a center armrest. There are 36.9 inches of head room and 33.3 inches of leg room.
Cargo area is limited. The Lancer Evolution’s trunk provides just 6.9 cubic feet of cargo area. The rear seat does not fold down, with a number of components normally found under the hood (windshield washer fluid reservoir, battery, and brake fluid reservoir) having been moved to the trunk area.
All-in-all, the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring delivers the bite you’d expect from that snarling intercooled-filled snout. With a rally-bred drivetrain and world-class components including BBS wheels, Bilstein shock absorbers, Eibach coil springs, Brembo brakes, and Recaro bucket seats, the EVO MR Touring could’ve just rolled out of the tuner’s shop. The trick with the EVO is to keep your foot out of it. A spirited but light-footed approach allows EVO drivers to maximize inertia through the corners and reduce fuel consumption.
Parts Content Information
US/Canadian Parts Content: 0%
Major Sources of Foreign Parts Content:
Japan 85%
Final Assembly Point: Mizushima, Japan
Country of Origin:
Engine – Japan
Transmission – Germany
– by Daniel Gray
