If the inevitable Subaru/Mitsubishi scrap includes an aesthetic judgement then the Evolution X will steal an early victory.
The Evo is based on the Lancer, itself a sharply and neatly styled car. Design changes to make it an Evo are all functional, but they end up seeming cohesively integrated into the basic, quite aggressive design.
The Evo X’s torsional rigidity is up 39 per cent over its Evo IX predecessor, it has a 25mm longer wheelbase and 30mm wider track and the battery has been relocated to the boot to improve weight distribution. Once again, the Evo has an aluminium bonnet, wings and roof. Suspension is by MacPherson strut at the front, multi-link at the rear.
Previous generations of Evolution have used derivatives of the same 4G63 engine, but the latest model’s is all new. The 4B11 unit has an aluminium head and block and floating pistons and sits 10mm lower than an Evo IX’s engine.
In the standard form tested here it has similar power to the IX (291bhp at 6500rpm) but more torque at low revs (300lb ft at 3500rpm). It drives through either a five-speed manual or, as here, an SST, twin-clutch, robotised gearbox, then to all four wheels via a transmission controlled by Mitsubishi’s latest generation of Super-All-Wheel Control (S-AWC).
S-AWC incorporates all of the electronically controlled transmission aids: an Active Centre Differential (varying front-rear torque split), Active Yaw Control (a limited-slip rear differential), stability control and ABS.
The mode selector that controls S-AWC once again allows it to be put in Tarmac, gravel or snow settings, which adjust its operation to suit how much traction and grip are available.