2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution might look
like a tuner sedan, but as soon as you get behind the wheel, it's
apparent that it's the work of engineers with four rally world titles
to their credit. Upon introduction, the Lancer Evolution is equipped
with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 271-horsepower, turbo engine that
achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual
transmission with overdrive is standard. The 2011 2011 Lancer Evolution
is all-new for 2011. Under the hood, the Evolution uses the venerable
4G63 in-line four-cylinder engine. The engine has belt-driven dual
overhead cams and four valves per cylinder in an aluminum-alloy head,
with numerous subtle refinements. Hollow camshafts, tapered valve
springs and aluminum retainers, and natrium-filled exhaust valves
reduce valvetrain inertia and help response. The cams, as well as a
magnesium-alloy cam cover, help reduce the engine's topside weight and
thus its center of gravity.
