First Drive: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Listen here, sonny, that ex-rally racer known as Evo is all grown up. It goes by MR Touring now, but you'll know that the minute you see it. That ridiculous wing? Gone. A subtle, age-appropriate lip spoiler takes its place so there's no more guessing about the cop pacing behind. Inside, the Recaro racing seats are now lined in leather -- and heated to boot. A full color LCD now rests between the gauges and not only delivers more information (because of higher resolution), it's easier on the eyes. They've even put a powered sunroof in the thing -- a first for an aluminum-roofed Evo.

So this MR Touring definitely looks more mellow and certainly has additional creature comforts, but does this mean the mighty Evolution has gone soft? Limp even?

Not one bit.

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring Rear Three Quarters Driver Static
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Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs still suspend the MR Touring, so the crisp handling clarity has diminished not one iota -- even with the 30 extra pounds the Touring package adds. And that glass sunroof? Though it puts weight up high, you can't feel the Touring roll any more than a regular Evo -- which ain't much. Steering feel and ride quality have not changed either; the MR Touring still rides on rails without feeling like it's snorted a few too.

It's not as fast though -- it's faster. Running upgrades to the TC-SST six-speed dual-clutch transmission mean all new MR Evos are apparently the fastest of the 10th generation. Mitsubishi claims the MR and Touring will consistently hit 60 mph in under five seconds. A bold claim (and one we'll have to test) since the last dual-clutch Evo we tested (2008 MR) managed only a 5.2-second blast.

What we do know is that, in Sport and Super Sport modes, the Touring we drove still drops rev-matched downshifts like a mechanized Makinen. Even better, TC-SST trans served up quick, yet velvety smooth shifts around town, at low speeds -- something few of these fancy dual-clutches seem to be able to manage. At this price point, the Evo has arguably the best dual clutch on the market.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0911_2010_mitsubishi_lancer_evo_mr_touring_review/index.html#ixzz0YupUcpMc

2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder

Tossed out the window -- no, out the open cockpit, actually -- are the radio, the air con, conventional door pulls, and more. Porsche says the result is a weight savings of 176 pounds over the Boxster S, making the new Boxster Spyder, at a claimed 2800 pounds, the lightest model in the maker's production-car lineup.

Porsche Boxster Spyder Rear Motion View
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Perhaps stung by criticisms of "diluting the brand" (i.e., Porsche sport/utes and the new Panamera four-door), the iconic German speed factory has countered with a sporting piece nearly as pure and purposeful as James Dean's 1955 550 Spyder. As such, this newest, fastest Boxster also qualifies as the most toy-like model in the range, a pricey plaything for perfect days and writhing roads -- and almost exclusively so. How long would the Spyder's charms last, I wonder, without refrigerated air and the diversion of a radio during a long stop-and-go commute on a blistering summer day? (Not to worry: If you're feeling "unpure," you can pile on A/C, radio, nav, and whatever other options you like.)

Porsche Boxster Spyder Rear View
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So, no, in basic "stripped" form the Boxster Spyder isn't an ideal daily driver; you'll want to be rich enough to own one as your second or third car. Ah, but for those days that call for a leather jacket and driving gloves...

In addition to the jettisoned A/C and radio, the Spyder features aluminum doors (saving 33 pounds), lightweight sport bucket seats (saving 26 pounds), an aluminum rear deck (saving 6.5 pounds), and the lightest 19-inch alloy wheels in the Porsche catalog. Also changed over conventional Boxsters are the side windows -- they're lighter and lower -- and the soft top, which for Spyder duty is a manually erected affair that's little more than a handkerchief for blocking the sun (the lid, which stows away above the engine, isn't even waterproof; indeed, Porsche admits it won't stand up to a car wash).

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/los_angeles/2009/porsche_boxster_spyder/index.html#ixzz0YuoUzXLp

Volkswagen Golf GTI by Wimmer RS

Wimmer RS was pretty busy lately with preparing customized cars. First a Ferrari F430 and the Porsche GT2 Speed, and now the Golf GTI. For the German hatchback, the tuner has worked on both the exterior and the car’s performance.

While a stock Golf GTI delivers 210 hp, Wimmer RS has added an optimized turbo, a sports CAT, a modified intake system and fuel pump as well as a reprogrammed ECU and managed to increase the output to a total of 386 hp and 455 Nm (332 lb-ft). The top speed is also increased to 166mph.

The tuner also added a sports clutch and a height-adjustable HR sports coilover suspension system. The car sits on either 18-, 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels.