Evolution MR

Making its first debut at the 2003 tokyo motor show, and speeding its way to stores around the world. the high-spec Evolution MR. Needless to say its awesome capalibilty to carry the "Mitsubishi Racing" (MR) designation traditionally reserved for Mitsubishi Motors high perfomance models.

To date, This new MR is the very first steel monoque body japanese production to use an aluminium roof panel. By using self piercing rivets which expand radially into the steel structure, this innovative aluminium application not only aids to reduce the MR's weight by some 4kg. It also automatically lowers the vehicle's centre of gravity and reduces roll moment to realize a substantial improvement in handling performance. Even the front door side impact bars use aluminium instead of steel, reducing the weight by 3.5kg while providing the same level of impact safety. These, along with specific weight reduction to the upper half of the body has enbaled the MR to shed over 10kgs while providing a stiffer main frame. apart from MR badge, the only exterior "visual" differences between the current Evolution 8 and the new MR will be full-carbon rear spoiler and a set of 17" factory-fitted titanium grey BBS forged alloy road wheels which weigh 1.25kg (each)less than the standard wheels.

As with the standard Evo 8, the MR makes use of mitsubishi's world-renowned 2-litre in line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC turbocharged and intercooled engine but with further detailed improvements. Internally, the MR's durability is enchanced through shape optimization and re-inforcement of the cooling water channel, upgrading from 3 ply to 5ply head gasket, the use of magnetic-ion coated piston rings, the use of larger oil cooler with two additional rows and the application of lighter silent shaft. To generate more torque, its twin scrolled titanium twin turbo now uses a larger turbine nozzle with matching cam profile. The turbocharger waste gate now uses 2 solenoids to optimize boost pressure control for a more stable torque delivery in the low to mid-range and helps the power plant to generate class-topping torque of 40.8kg-m(400N-M) at 3,500 Rpm!

There has also been detailed improvements to further harmonize the sports ABS electronic all-wheel drive control system, the active centre differential(ACD), mitsubishi's super active yaw control(AYC) handling system and EDB system. Other than the use of high-strength steel for the different hypoid gears to raise fatigue strength by some 20%, and having the super steel AYC unit swapped for an 800gm aluminium clutch case, the MR also comes with a much lighter, exclusively designed BILSTEIN shock absorbers tune more towards sports and competitive use. The MR's all wheel control system(AWC) now responds accurately to steering inputs as it enters, and holds its line better through corners on dry tarmac and other high-friction surfaces. This is as far as i can say, for if i want to go in more detailed, I could go WRONG somwhere.