Tsukuba Time Attack: EVO X vs Impreza STI

[gangajas]

The Scooby wins this comparison:

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/evosti-copy.jpg

It didn't take long for Japan's journalists to get the new STI and EVO X side by side, and the results are now officially in. Tsukuba circuit regulars Kazuo Shimizu and Manabu Kawaguchi spent an afternoon thrashing around the notoriously twisty short circuit just north of Tokyo and here (drum roll please) are the best times they could ring out of the AWD rivals:

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X : 1:06:46

Subaru Impreza WRX STI : 1:05:95

So there you have it. The new engine placed further forward in the engine bay of the EVO X than in the EVO IX has indeed proven to be a handicap, while the STI's "wheel at each corner" longer wheelbase plus new double wishbone rear suspension has proved its worth.

Neither car is quite as quick as its immediate ancestor though.

Check out this 15 year rivalry of the EVO vs the STI as recorded at Tsukuba after the jump.

[Source: CAR Top magazine]

----------------------------

EVO / STI

2006 1:05:07 / 1:04:72

2005 1:04.88 / 1:04:17

2003 1:05:30 / 1:04:69

2001 1:05:17 / 1:06:56

1998 1:04:69 / 1:06:73

1996 1:07:00 / 1:05:92

1994 1:06:52 / 1:06:26

1992 1:10:90 / 1:07:99

[sentra_dude]

Its a bit disappointing that both Mitsu and Subaru have gone towards softer & heavier (supposedly the Subaru is 11kg lighter than last gen, but I'll believe that when I see some actual production cars weighed) cars, not to mention slower, for this most recent generation of the rally warriors.

[CMonakar]

The sad thing is that the Mitsubishi is slower with the twin clutch gearbox, which cuts down the turbo lag during shifts. I wonder how much worse it would be without using that trick.

[5vz-fe]

The Evo X puts down a 14.2 on the 1/4, enough said on how much slower down the straight. However, BM did a comparison on a very tight course. X vs IV, and the X's active diff tech makes it quite a few tenths faster.

[AsteroidS]

sad.

[pilotvtm]

too bad.....

[rave426]

These cars used to be special.........now both Mitsu and Subaru are beginning to destroy what made them special...........nobody wants a 3500lb Evo - its a compact car for goodness sakes (i think)

I am not sure what genius at Subaru figured they would sell more STI's if it were a hatchback.........what an idiot....

[EvolutioniuM]

The Evo X puts down a 14.2 on the 1/4, enough said on how much slower down the straight. However, BM did a comparison on a very tight course. X vs IV, and the X's active diff tech makes it quite a few tenths faster.

YEHAHAHAHA a Stock Evo IX MR RS can do a 12.5 run!!!!!!!!!

Evos no longer exists!! if anyone wants a new Evo, he should consider an Oldie Evo 6 TME or Evo 8 MR

[pilotvtm]

YEHAHAHAHA a Stock Evo IX MR RS can do a 12.5 run!!!!!!!!!

Evos no longer exists!! if anyone wants a new Evo, he should consider an Oldie Evo 6 TME or Evo 8 MR

Subaru too - i love the impreza b22