Performance Review: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 300 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mitsubishi Lancer Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 300 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Mitsubishi Lancer has a 1997cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Lancer shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Lancer's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1410 kgs (3108 lbs) this makes the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 300 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Mitsubishi Lancer shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 1997cc 16V St4 engine produces 301 bhp (224 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 300 lb-ft (406.7 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mitsubishi Lancer you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2010 Ford Focus RS500 (238.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mitsubishi Lancer.

The Mitsubishi Lancer has a Power to weight ratio of 213.4 bhp per ton and 212.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Lancer competing with the 2010 Ford Focus RS500 (238.4 bhp per ton) or the 2019 Porsche Cayenne 4.0 V8 Turbo (238.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mitsubishi Lancer generating around 212.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1993 Mercedes SL Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 (237.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Dodge Charger SRT8 6.4 V8 (237.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 300 as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 300 is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Lancer and the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mitsubishi Lancer on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.19 secs @ 103.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8 (13.14 secs), the 1969 Lamborghini Espada S II (13.15 secs), and the 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 7.4 V8 Sports Coupe 365 (13.15 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 300 has a maximum speed of 157mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Lancer equals the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (168 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 300 then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (168 mph), the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (168 mph), or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (168 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Lancer Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mitsubishi

Car Comparison