TWINTEST/MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO X v SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STi:With both new to market, we pit Mitsubishi's Lancer Evo X and Subaru's Impreza WRX STi against each other for the title of Japanese supremo. Shane O'Donoghuemakes the call.
GLAMOROUS IMAGE and name aside, there's precious little in common between the average Formula One car and the similarly-badged road-going type. Rally cars are different though, as strict homologation rules ensure that the super special stage variety is, at least in some way, representative of a car that may be bought by you and me.
It's thanks to world rallying that driving enthusiasts have had the choice of such cars as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza WRX in the past, but the success of the showroom models has meant that they are no longer hand-built limited editions for the lucky few, instead forming a core part of their respective line-ups, and in the process passing on some of that motorsport sheen to the more conventional mass-market versions.
Never before has the development of the Evolution been so closely linked with that of the regular Lancer. The new Evo is the tenth iteration (hence the "X") and by far the most cohesive design in the series to date. That's not to say that it loses any of its raw appeal though, as the regular Lancer wears a sharp suit itself and the Evolution features a significant number of bespoke body panels. It's difficult not to notice the tea tray rear wing and under-bumper diffuser, but the bulging wings, vented bonnet, 18-inch alloys and the pronounced central section of the nose all conspire to let drivers in front know that something special is coming through.
In contrast, the Subaru's on-road presence is quite dependent on the buyer's choice of paint colour. Obviously, any car painted bright blue is going to be noticed, but in the more subtle shades of white or black, it's hardly noticed. That's despite a gaping bonnet scoop, enlarged wheelarches, a roof spoiler and quad exhausts. Unfortunately, the Impreza is just not as attractive a car as the Lancer, and the new hatchback shape disguises the STI's potential. Some buyers will undoubtedly be quite happy about that.
That the Impreza is no longer available in four-door saloon format is an indication that the company wants to compete against the likes of the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and VW Golf. That naturally raises your expectations of the new Subaru's interior. In truth, it's barely a step forward from the previous generation in terms of quality and tactility - though there is plenty of space front and rear. Buyers of this particular version of the Impreza will be more interested in the STI-embossed sports seats and steering wheel and the new SI-Drive controller behind the spindly gear lever.
Subaru Intelligent Drive allows the driver to alter the power delivery between "I" for Intelligent (most fuel efficient) to "S" for Sport and "S#" for Sport Sharp. The latter delivers the biggest punch, while switching to I makes in-town driving a smooth affair. The in-between mode is a little unnecessary.
As important to the STI's driving characteristics is the Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD), which has a mildly confusing array of settings, including the option to lock the front and rear wheels together at the same speed which would only be of use in slippery conditions.
Mitsubishi has endowed its Evo with just as many electronic gizmos, but opening the door to the Lancer after climbing out of the Impreza, that's not what you notice first. It's the perceived quality. Mitsubishi - like Subaru - uses much harder plastics than for instance Ford or VW, but the Lancer's new interior is still a nicer place to be than in the Impreza. It's down to the lower, less oppressive dashboard in part, but also a sense of higher quality. The Mitsubishi steering wheel is nicer to hold and even the doors close with a more reassuring thud.
When you're asking buyers to part with enough cash to buy a top-end BMW 3-Series, they expect top-class quality. Neither car under test is likely to fall apart, no matter how hard it is driven, but it's the Mitsubishi that feels better built, and it's an impression that pervades all of the switchgear.
Even the Evo's driving controls exude a polished finish that the Impreza's cannot touch. In isolation, the STI is fun to drive and undoubtedly rapid, but attack the same piece of road in the Evo and you begin to see where the Subaru has gone wrong. The Lancer feels far more alive in your hands, but not so much that it'll spit you off the road if you don't treat it with respect; it's simply too competent for that.
Yet for all its ability, the Evo engages the driver with perfectly weighted steering and brakes. Even the SST model, with its lightning quick gearchanges, involves the driver in the process more than the STI ever does.
In the Impreza's defence, it is the more comfortable car, floating over bumps you are made aware of in the Evo. In return for the Impreza's softer set-up, there is more body roll which, allied with less feelsome steering, reduces your confidence in the car's abilities where the Lancer is cajoling you to push harder.
Looking at the fact files for these cars, there is little to separate them, but in reality they are more different than they have ever been. It's interesting to note that the Lancer is not intended to compete on the world rally stage any time soon, so the Evo is a high-performance road car first and foremost. It's all the better for it.Evo wins for us.
Factfile Mitsubishi v Subaru
MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X
Engine:Turbocharged four-cylinder, inline petrol engine. 291bhp at 6,500rpm. 407Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission:Five-speed manual or six-speed SST dual-clutch automated with manual transmission options. Four-wheel drive.
Performance:0-100m/h: 4.7 seconds. Top speed: 241km/h
CO2 emissions: 243g/km
Fuel economy:10.3L/100km
Price:From €58,000
SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI
Engine:Turbocharged four-cylinder, horizontally-opposed petrol engine. 296bhp at 6,000rpm. 407Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission:Six-speed manual with full-time four-wheel drive.
Performance:0-100km/: 5.1 seconds. Top speed: 250km/h
CO2 emissions:243g/km
Fuel economy:10.3L/100km
Price:From €66,250