Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: A spiritual blueprint for two-litre super sedans
In places like Dhaka, the Evo X has achieved a cult-like status, thanks to its driveability, tunability, performance pedigree, and the most important aspect of all; turbocharged, all wheel drive bang for the buck
Ask any young and impressionable youth since the last decade what their dream car was, and 8 times out of 10, they would answer something along the lines of a red Mitsubishi lancer evolution. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, the final swan song of the legendary Lancer Evolution lineage, holds a special place in the world of performance sedans. Introduced in 2007, the Evo X brought rally-bred winning formula to the road with cutting-edge AWD (all-wheel drive) technology, turbocharged power, and unmistakable styling. While it marked the end of Mitsubishi's high-performance era, its DNA can be seen living on in modern compact sports sedans—most notably in the AMG CLA45.
In places like Dhaka, the Evo X has achieved a cult-like status, thanks to its driveability, tunability (even on substandard fuel), performance pedigree, and the most important aspect of all; turbocharged, all wheel drive bang for the buck.
What might look like an unassuming Lancer to the untrained eye, is powered by the 4B11T, a legendary engine in its own right. The 2000 cc turbocharged inline-4 engine produces 291 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. Paired with Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system delivers the classic all-wheel-drive slingshot experience, while making sure you can navigate bumper to bumper Dhaka traffic with ease. It equally feels at home on the airport road on a chilly December night or while making the rounds at Gulshan 2 dead end. For the first time in the Evo lineup, the car featured an optional dual-clutch transmission, the Twin Clutch SST, bringing lightning-fast gear changes to the rally-inspired platform, call that European flair.
What set the Evo apart wasn't just the spec sheet. It was the balance. The way it combined a relatively full sized chassis, aggressive yet incognito styling and a turbocharged all wheel drive powerplant into a four door sedan was unheard of in its price bracket. It democratized performance, something German marques wouldn't offer until years later, at least, not until the A45 AMG was introduced to the equation. The resemblance was simply uncanny. Both are similarly sized four-door sedans with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
On paper and on the road, the CLA45 bears an uncanny resemblance to the Lancer Evolution X, despite its luxury badge.
Truth be told, the Evolution X walked so that the CLA45 could run. It was one of the most powerful production four-cylinder engines in the world. It pairs with a 4MATIC AWD system, tuned for performance, and a dual-clutch gearbox—much like the Evo X's SST system. While AMG likes to clearly position the CLA45 as a luxury performance vehicle, its concept of a compact, turbocharged, AWD sedan aimed at enthusiasts can be unapologetically traced back to the Evo X's ethos. The interior is nearly identical to a government issued Corolla Altis. The factory Recaros are honestly a god second.
In this way, the Evo X can be viewed as the spiritual predecessor to the CLA45. Mitsubishi's adamant approach showed the world that a small displacement turbocharged four-cylinder paired with AWD and sophisticated electronics could deliver serious thrills without either higher displacement nor more cylinders. It laid the groundwork for what we now see in the CLA45 and other modern performance compacts.
In Bangladesh, the Mitsubishi Evolution badge is associated with an almost mythical status. The Evo X, being the ultimate and most refined of the line, has become the bona fide dream car for car enthusiasts alike. Its advanced tech(for the time), dramatic styling and rally heritage resonate deeply with Dhaka's tightly knit performance car community.
Despite import restrictions and high duties on performance vehicles, Dhaka has nurtured a surprisingly vibrant Evo scene. Dhaka is no stranger to car meets, and Evos are almost always a crowd pleaser, with Evos often serving as the centerpieces. Many owners who have been but by her fright opt for tuning routes—upgraded turbos, intake and a downpipe tuning to squeeze even more performance from the already potent package. Local garages have even specialized in Evo modifications by now.
Part of the Evo's appeal in Dhaka is its relative versatility and sometimes, it's under the radar status to the masses. It's a car you can drive daily and yet unleash on a late night airport run. Its AWD system is ideal for the less-than-perfect road conditions in the region, while the robust aftermarket support makes it relatively easier to maintain and modify than high-end European cars.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X was more than just the end of a lineage—it was the blueprint for a new era of performance sedans. The DNA that made the Evo X so beloved—its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, AWD grip, and razor-sharp handling lives on in cars like the Mercedes-AMG CLA45. But beyond the specifications, the Evo X represents something more powerful: a spirit of attainable performance, unrelenting passion, and mechanical purity. In places like Dhaka, that spirit is still alive and roaring, keeping the legend of the Evo X burning bright.
