2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR: The Ultimate Send-Off for a Rally Icon

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. For enthusiasts, the name alone conjures images of roaring engines, all-wheel-drive prowess, and rally-bred performance dominating both tarmac and dirt. For over a decade in the United States, this legendary nameplate battled fiercely with Subaru’s WRX STI, creating a rivalry as iconic as Camaro versus Mustang. However, 2015 marked the final year for this performance icon, making the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR not just a car, but a poignant farewell to a glorious era of Mitsubishi performance. As a long-time admirer of the Mitsubishi brand and its rich heritage, witnessing the EVO’s departure felt like the closing of a significant chapter. While personal preferences might lean towards a ’13 WRX, the absence of the EVO undeniably leaves a void in the market, diminishing the vibrant competition that fuels automotive innovation.

Beyond the storied rivalry, the EVO’s exit signaled a shift in Mitsubishi’s focus, moving away from factory performance offerings. Mitsubishi’s performance lineage stretches back decades, even in the US market, with models like the turbocharged Mirage hatchback and the rear-wheel-drive Starion in the 1980s. The 90s brought the Eclipse, boasting the legendary 4G63 engine, a powerplant also found in early Lancer Evolutions in Asian and European markets. While the Eclipse evolved into a grand tourer, eventually replacing the turbo-four with a V6 in 2000, the spirit of performance was rekindled when the US finally received the EVO VIII. This marked Mitsubishi’s return to the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive arena. Yet, as the curtain fell for 2016, the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR stood as the last of its kind, a final testament to Mitsubishi’s performance car legacy.

The essence of the EVO was always simple yet potent: take a basic Mitsubishi Lancer, inject a potent turbocharged and intercooled engine, reinforce the chassis, add aerodynamic enhancements, and voila – a remarkably fast compact sedan with all-wheel-drive grip was born, ready to challenge the Subaru empire.

For a week, I had the privilege of experiencing the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR, a model that, while not the absolute “Final Edition,” represents the culmination of the EVO’s model years. It served as a rolling tribute to Mitsubishi’s performance presence in the United States, effectively closing a chapter, at least for the foreseeable future. The MR designation, presumably standing for Mitsubishi Racing, truly signifies the most track-focused iteration of the already sporty Lancer Evolution. Its suspension system, featuring Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks, is unapologetically stiff, transmitting every road imperfection directly to your spine. The rapid-fire dual-clutch transmission delivers neck-snapping shifts, especially during aggressive throttle inputs. The steering is weighty and incredibly quick, bordering on twitchy at highway speeds. Selectable terrain modes – tarmac, gravel, and snow – hint at the EVO’s rally pedigree, suggesting it’s always ready for an impromptu stage rally, even on the daily commute. And then there are the stunning BBS wheels, wrapped in Yokohama ADVAN tires, providing grip levels that feel glued to the asphalt.

Commuting in the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR is, to put it mildly, punishing. During my week with the car, which was unfortunately rain-soaked, every crack and imperfection in the road surface was telegraphed directly into the cabin. Larger bumps resulted in a jarring bang, reminiscent of heavily modified aftermarket suspensions, yet the EVO MR retains its factory ride height – it’s simply that aggressively stiff. However, point the EVO MR towards a corner, and its true nature emerges. It corners with the ferocity and precision of a race car, because, truthfully, a racetrack is where the MR feels most at home.

My long-held impression is that EVOs have always been the more hardcore counterpart in the Mitsubishi-Subaru rivalry. While Impreza WRX models offer a blend of daily comfort and spirited performance, the EVO prioritizes outright performance, often at the expense of ride quality.

Under the hood, the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR packs a potent 291 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter MIVEC engine. This power is channeled to all four wheels through Mitsubishi’s sophisticated S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) system. The drivetrain features a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, a front limited-slip differential, and an active center differential. Drivers can choose full automatic mode, manual shifts via the center gear selector, or engage the satisfyingly tactile metal paddle shifters. Gear changes are lightning-fast and, at times, brutally abrupt – mirroring the sensations of a true race car. While exhilarating, this level of performance can also be demanding, contributing to the EVO MR’s less-than-ideal daily driver credentials. However, approaching a corner, hands firmly gripping the leather-wrapped steering wheel, fingers dancing on the paddle shifters, instantly transports you to a racetrack environment. The dual-clutch transmission emits the characteristic “blerp” sound between shifts, a signature note of turbocharged, dual-clutch vehicles. There’s no mistaking it – this machine is a rocket ship.

Yet, for every ounce of performance the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR delivers, there’s a contrasting element of cost-cutting evident in its construction. The interior sun visors feel remarkably flimsy. Squeaks and rattles are noticeable, especially on rough roads. The door panels feel constructed from budget-grade materials, and even the exterior door handles appear to be only partially painted, revealing unpainted white plastic when pulled.

While the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR does offer heated leather seats, they lack the substantial bolstering found in the Recaro seats of the 2010 Lancer Sportback Ralliart. It is equipped with Sirius XM Radio and a potent 710-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system, boasting nine speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer. A power moonroof is also present. Creature comforts aren’t entirely absent, but let’s be honest: buyers weren’t drawn to the EVO MR for luxurious amenities. The appeal lay in its engine, drivetrain, chassis, and undeniably aggressive rally-inspired aesthetics. Criticizing the interior materials for feeling akin to a 1990s Mitsubishi Mirage misses the fundamental point of the EVO MR.

A notable detail highlighting the MR’s performance focus is the relocation of the windshield washer reservoir and battery behind the rear seat, contributing to improved weight distribution – another nod to its hardcore nature. Despite its design being largely unchanged for nearly a decade, the EVO MR’s styling remains sporty, aggressive, and arguably, timeless. While personal taste might find the front fender vents and chrome accents somewhat aftermarket-esque, the hood vents, classic EVO front fascia, aero elements, and subtle trunk lip spoiler (a departure from the larger wings seen on some EVO variants) create a track-ready visual statement.

Historically, the EVO also carried a higher price tag than its WRX STI rival. The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR tested here stickered at $41,805, approximately $1,000 more than a comparably equipped 2016 Subaru WRX STI Limited. However, the STI offered a more comfortable ride, superior interior materials, and an overall more refined feel compared to the EVO. With the EVO’s discontinuation, Mitsubishi announced a shift towards smaller crossovers, electric vehicles, and hybrids. For the foreseeable future, Mitsubishi’s performance car ambitions are on hold. Perhaps, in the grand scheme, it’s simply the “evolution” of the company, adapting to changing market demands.

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