A Mercury Gray Mitsubishi Evo X Final Edition parked outside Hallmark Mitsubishi.

Driving Mitsubishi Evo X Final Edition No. 5

January 15, 2016 1 min read0 13

I went to Hallmark Mitsubishi in Nashville to drive an Evo X Final Edition. Production had ended, and this might be the last time I’d drive a new Evo. The Mercury Gray car I took out had a plaque on the center console that read US0005. If I were choosing between the two Final Editions on the lot, that number would settle it.

What the Evo X Final Edition Gets

Mitsubishi started with the GSR and set aside 1,600 numbered cars for the U.S. The Final Edition kept the five-speed manual and Super All-Wheel Control. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder was rated at 303 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. Mitsubishi’s launch figures put the suggested retail price at $37,995.

The package adds Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs and two-piece Brembo front brake rotors. The black aluminum roof, darker Enkei wheels and red stitching set it apart. Behind the wheel, I was most interested in how the Bilsteins would ride.

A Short Drive in No. 5

Hallmark made an exception to let me take the car out. I kept the drive brief and stayed out of the upper rev range, so I can’t tell you how much stronger the engine feels. I could tell the Bilsteins rode better than the standard GSR suspension. The steering still responded immediately, and the car was as easy to place as I’d expect from an Evo.

I thought I’d miss the Recaros enough to walk away from a 2015. I like the support they give me in my own 2013 Evo X, but sitting in No. 5 changed my mind. I’d take the Final Edition with the seats it comes with.

The short gearing and sparse sound insulation are still part of the deal. So are the quick steering and grip. Mitsubishi kept the things I’d miss most about driving an Evo, and the better ride was apparent even on a short drive.