Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution delighted automotive enthusiasts when it finally arrived in the United States as a 2003 model. The second generation of this rally-bred street monster packs a 295-bhp turbocharged and intercooled engine in to a new car with looks more befitting a $30,000 price tag. New driveline technologies make the day-to-day driving experience as rewarding as it is when your foot is pressed hard to the floor. The Lancer Evolution offers two trim levels: GSR and MR. MR models offer a dual-clutch automated manual transmission with paddle shifters. The fully independent suspension features struts in front and a multi-link suspension in back. Both GSR and MR models wear 18-inch wheels shod with 245/40R18 tires.

What Changed:

The second generation of the Lancer Evolution to reach the U.S. market is one inch longer in wheelbase and width, but slightly shorter in overall length. Weight has increased by about 100 lbs. A new turbocharged and intercooled 2.0L four-cylinder engine rated at 295-bhp and 300 lb.-ft. of peak torque is under the hood. Although the displacement is the same, the new engine differs in many ways starting with a new cast aluminum engine block and aluminum cylinder heads. Changes to the valve train and timing chain reduce weight. Numerous new technologies reside in the Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel-drive system. The system includes an active center differential (ACD), active rear differential (AYC) and active stability control (ASC). Torque can be split up to 50:50 front to rear. MR models offer a dual-clutch automated manual transmission with paddle shifters. Pricing has risen about $5000 with a starting price just under $33,000.