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| Evo Weight Day |
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06.27.2007
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Vorshlag Motorsports took our corner weight scales to a local Mitsubishi dealership on a cold winter day and weighed a bevy of 2006 EVO IX models. Yes, the Mitsubishi All-Wheel-Drive rally cars with the turbocharged and intercooled engines. This was done to help longtime associate Jason McCall pick the right model of EVO for an upcoming autocross car purchase. We weighed every variation of EVO IX available (except the RS), including the GSR, MR, MR-SE, GSR-SE and GSR-SSL. We'll explain these acronyms below, but basically, these are the major option packages for the EVO.
The dealership we chose wasn't just any Mitsu dealer, this was the Mitsu dealer who sells the most EVOs in the world! OK, so I made that bit up, but they are well known for selling a helluva lot of EVOs. Don Herring Mitsubishi had all manner of EVO models in stock (except one - the RS) and were very helpful during this test. This dealer also sponsors the local EVO club, hosts their monthly meetings on-site, gives discounts on service/parts to their members, and even sponsors an annual track day at Motorsport Ranch. So, not your typical dealer - which explained the absurd number of EVOs they had in stock, and their willingness to let a couple of nuts show up with a set of scales and weigh 47 different cars.
After looking at the tested weights Jason decided to buy a GSR-SE from this dealership, and we weighed it separately. Since he owned the car by then we were able to go a bit more in-depth in that weighing, removing the spare, jack, trunk mat and other assorted bits that you normally don't have in your car when racing. We've gone back and back-calculated the weights of all cars with this "fluff" plus the fuel load removed, as a more applicable "racing weight". This number is shown in bold for each model, and is what should be compared. We also add the published weights for each model, and they are all higher than any of the test numbers.
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the EVO IX story
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Standard (GSR) - revised 5-speed, standard model
RS - revised 5-speed, aluminum roof, gauge pack, minimal interior (crank windows, no trunk liner), rear shock tower brace, no ABS!?
SE - new model option, the Special Edition includes much of the MR's bits including aluminum roof/hood, 10-spoke forged aluminum BBS wheels (different color than MR), HID headlights with integrated fog lights, and very fancy red-stitched Recaro seats
MR - 6-speed, Bilstein monotube shocks, 10-spoke forged aluminum BBS wheels, aluminum roof, gauge pack, HID headlights with integrated fog lights, vortex generator, and custom MR badging.
The IX MR retains the features of the Evolution VIII MR like Bilstein shocks, a 6-speed manual transmission, a rooftop vortex generator, BBS forged wheels, HID xenon headlights, foglights, accessory gauge package, "zero lift" kit, special badging and an aluminum roof. MR-SE also available, but it doesn't add much to the already option heavy MR. All models still sport Recaro bucket seats, big Brembo brakes and MOMO steering wheels. Additional revisions from 2005 include a closer gear ratio for the 5-speed transmission, and a redesigned front end with a more efficient air dam (the most noticeable feature are the two small oval ducts to cool the intercooler pipes).
To the standard (or "GSR") model, the optional Sunroof, Sound and Leather (SSL) package adds a power sunroof, HID xenon headlamps with integrated fog lights, slightly upgraded speakers, a powered, trunk-mounted Infinity subwoofer, black leather seating surfaces, slightly revised center armrests front and rear, and separate rear headrests. Enough new options that we considered it a separate model (GSR-SSL), and as such, weighed it separately.
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EVO IX MR
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Mitsubishi lists the MR at 3285 pounds. OK, so we weighed it at 3282 pounds with 10 gallons of fuel (with 3/4 tank; test weights shown below). Take out the fuel weight (62 pounds) and it weighs 3220. Knock out another 42 pounds for the spare/jack/trunk mat and it weighs 3178 at "Race Weight".
| LF: 1029 lbs |
RF: 973 lbs |
Front: 61.0% |
LF+RR: 50.9% |
| LR: 637 lbs |
RR: 643 lbs |
Rear: 39.0% |
RF+LR: 49.1% |
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EVO IX GSR
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Mitsubishi lists the GSR at 3274 pounds, we weighed it at 3246 pounds with 7 gallons of fuel (with 1/2 tank; test weights shown below). Take out the fuel weight (43 pounds) and it weighs 3203. Knock out another 42 pounds for the spare/jack/trunk mat and it weighs 3161 at "Race Weight".
| LF: 1007 lbs |
RF: 969 lbs |
Front: 60.9% |
LF+RR: 50.7% |
| LR: 630 lbs |
RR: 640 lbs |
Rear: 39.1% |
RF+LR: 49.3% |
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EVO IX MR-SE
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Mitsubishi doesn't list a weight for the MR-SE, but we weighed it at 3294 pounds with 14 gallons of fuel (full tank; test weights shown below). Take out the fuel weight (87 pounds) and it weighs 3207. Knock out another 42 pounds for the spare/jack/trunk mat and it weighs 3165 pounds at "Race Weight".
| LF: 1027 lbs |
RF: 980 lbs |
Front: 60.9% |
LF+RR: 50.9% |
| LR: 637 lbs |
RR: 650 lbs |
Rear: 39.1% |
RF+LR: 49.1% |
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EVO IX GSR-SSL
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Mitsubishi lists the GSR-SSL at 3338 pounds, and we weighed it at 3313 pounds with 7 gallons of fuel (1/2 tank; test weights shown below). Take out the fuel weight (43 pounds of fuel) and it weighs 3270. Knock out another 42 pounds for the spare/jack/trunk mat and it weighs 3228 at "Race Weight".
| LF: 1012 lbs |
RF: 983 lbs |
Front: 60.2% |
LF+RR: 50.4% |
| LR: 660 lbs |
RR: 658 lbs |
Rear: 39.8% |
RF+LR: 49.6% |
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EVO IX GSR-SE
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Mitsubishi lists the GSR-SE at 3263 pounds, and we weighed it at 3223 with 10 gallons of fuel. Take out the fuel weight and it weighs 3171. We also weighed it without the spare/jack/trunk mat (42 pounds) at 3191 pounds with 10 gallons of fuel (3/4 tank; test weights shown below). Take out the fuel weight from that (62 pounds of fuel) and it weighs 3129 at "Race Weight".
| LF: 982 lbs |
RF: 992 lbs |
Front: 61.9% |
LF+RR: 49.7% |
| LR: 612 lbs |
RR: 605 lbs |
Rear: 48.1% |
RF+LR: 50.3% |
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summary
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Let's take a closer look at the numbers. The front weight bias of these EVOs doesn't get any better no matter how you order them; so be it. It's nearly impossible to alter this fundamental chassis design after the fact so there's no use in dwelling on it. Lighter is still faster, even if the weight balance doesn't look textbook perfect. This chassis does well in competition for other reasons, namely the great horsepower and advanced AWD system (it has 3 differentials!?).
As for the various model differences, it appears that all that weight saved by the aluminum bodywork in the MR and MR-SE are offset by the 6-spd transaxle and other options, since the base GSR EVO weighs less. Its very close, so we'll call it a wash. The 6-spd's gearing advantage is nonexistent, so avoid the more costly MR and MR-SE if you are shopping simply for the best performance and class competitiveness in an EVO. The SSL option group adds another 60 pounds to the GSR, and reduces headroom thanks to the sunroof, so this package should also be avoided completely if you are serious about racing. The SE package, however, knocks a solid 32 pounds off of the base GSR models weight, so it is in fact a good option to opt for; basically you get the aluminum roof, hood, and headlights of the MR, with lighter wheels, the lighter 5 speed trans and very nice seats. The best compromise between performance, weight, amenities and ultimately - resale value (like it or not, this aspect cannot be ignored by most buyers).
What about the RS, you ask? Mitsubishi claims 3219 pounds for their elusive RS model (that's 44 pounds lighter than they claim for the GSR-SE), which we didn't manage to find at any of the 4 local Mitsu dealers. We've seen a couple RS models on dealer lots in the past, but they were always "stale" inventory at least a 9-12 months old. Some dealers, particularly those that specialize in nation-wide discounts and in colder climates, move a few of these each year. In fact, 6 of the top 10 BSP-classed EVOs at the 2006 Solo Nationals were RS models. If you own one and are in the local DFW area contact us as we loved to get the data on one. Now is that ~40 pounds worth losing the ABS, radio, trunk liner, sound deadening, and power windows/door locks though? Frankly, without the Antilock Braking System available in this model we would not really recommend the RS for autocross or track competitors, and cannot understand why it is offered this way. A small fraction of racers abhor ABS in any form, and shun any creature comforts (like a radio, power windows, etc) completely, and to them we say - go for it. Good luck reselling it later... Personally, I like having a good ABS system in my competition cars to allow for and step-in during extremely aggressive driving. Autocrossing especially awards driving at 10/10ths, and driver confidence soars when you know you won't flat spot a race tire if you go in too hot - or worse. Also, a good 4 channel ABS system can modulate braking at each corner quickly (thanks to fast computers and independent channels), something a non-ABS equipped car can never do. Those only have 1 brake pedal, after all. This comes into play when braking over bumps, over changing surfaces, or into hard transitions. ABS is a racer's friend.
We hope this article helps EVO shoppers become better informed about the weight differences between the various models and options. The published weights from most manufacturer's aren't perfect, and it's always good to have more data when making a new car purchase. We didn't mention model or option costs because they are easily found elsewhere; go try to find accurate corner weights for these models and you'll see why we created this tech article. Special thanks to Don Herring Jr. and Jason Bell at Don Herring Mitsubishi, as well as Jason McCall, for their help with this test.
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