Machel winning the 2011 Road March

Soca superstar Machel Montano yesterday collected the keys to his brand new Mitsubishi Lancer motor car from Diamond Motors, his prize for winning the 2011 Road March.
Montano won the crown with his hit tune "Advantage", written by Kernel Roberts. Montano said he was "very honoured" to receive this award, especially because it was the people on the street who made it possible.
He said the prize was not just his, but he would be "sharing the Road March spoils" with Roberts and everyone involved in the production of the song.
Roberts, who was on hand for the ceremony, said he felt overwhelmed by the honour and thanked Montano for the energy he had brought to the performance "and taking it all the way to the finish line, not only for Road March but, also, Soca Monarch."
He also said he was obligated to his late father, calypso legend Lord Kitchener, and that legacy of consistently creating great music.

Lancer GTS

Compact cars are often ridiculed by drivers of larger vehicles, for they equate what’s out there now with small cars of the past and think the modern article must be a tin box that isn’t as safe or well-equipped as some of the beefier machines out there.

This perception takes a beating when the high price of gas forces a closer look, though – for lo and behold, these same folks then discover that good things come in small packages, and the modern compact is far safer, has more room and features, and gives you more for your money than they ever expected. When you top this sundae with a modest appetite for fuel, all the sudden that four-wheeled aircraft carrier you were navigating to work every day makes less sense.

Mitsubishi’s Lancer is the company’s entry into the incredibly competitive compact sedan category, and manages to have a look and feel that’s all its own. For 2011, all Lancers get styling derived from the ultra-high-performance Lancer Evolution all-wheel drive sport sedan, meaning that even at an entry level, Lancer has ties to one of the most charismatic four-door hot rods on the road today.

We tested a Lancer GTS, and this front-drive sedan comes armed with a 2.4-liter inline four with 168 horsepower and a choice of two transmissions: a close-ratio five-speed manual and a very sophisticated CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) which graced our test mule. This is a really interesting gearbox, in that it has no set ratios while in fully automatic operation, yet has six distinct speeds when in manual mode that you can select via paddle shifters located on the steering wheel. The engine idles with impressive smoothness (a long-time Mitsubishi quality), while 60 mph arrives in just 7.7 seconds. The GTS has a sport-tuned suspension (very nicely calibrated, so the ride isn’t harsh) to further enhance the driving experience, and this in combination with excellent ABS brakes make the Lancer a really entertaining car to drive (especially considering this is an economy sedan, after all). A full compliment of state-of-the-art airbags, as well as traction and stability controls are standard, thus rounding out a loaded résumé of safety features.

Our GTS came with the optional Touring Package that, in addition to including a 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate sound system, features stout leather seating surfaces with good side bolsters in the front sport seats. While the leg and foot room can get tight in the rear seats area when the front seats are moved back for taller occupants, comfort is good and the seatbacks fold forward to increase the trunk’s 11.8 cubic-foot cargo capacity. My only real gripe with this car is the lack of sound deadening insulation in the doors, for the rear ones especially sound less than substantial when you close them.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR - ARC Part

Diamond in the rough

Since the introduction of Subaru's WRX, including its STI derivative, and the first consumer-marketed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, many articles have addressed the power and agility of these incredible four-door sedans. From a journalistic perspective, writing anything informational and meaningful about these cars is increasingly difficult. The reason for this is by no means the lack of factory-supplied performance or aftermarket upgrades; quite the contrary, it's the growing popularity and vast amount of performance parts made available from a variety of tuners that makes this subject matter so thorny.

Yet, the easily overlooked fact is that, for an automotive enthusiast, each featured vehicle is as unique as a diamond. No person on this planet is more apt to agree with this statement than one whose vision, persistence and enviably deep pockets are responsible for the brilliance of a finely tuned performance automobile. This is particularly true for Earl Mangune, the owner of a white 2006 Lancer Evolution IX MR.

As an automotive aficionado, Mangune can attest to the irrefutable fact that owning an EVO is more than a simple pleasure; rather it's an expensive addiction. How else could anyone explain the compulsive behavior associated with the attempt to make something essentially perfect even better? After all, the EVO's WRC-spec 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 286 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque straight off the assembly line. However, a true enthusiast's vocabulary doesn't include the word combination "good enough." Better is about more power, faster braking, nimbler handling and distinctive styling. Although the factory EVO IX is a nimble street-legal rally car, much can be done to improve performance in some, if not all of those areas.

Most familiar with automotive performance fundamentals understand the rules of the game; namely that, in terms of tuning, no gain is to be had without certain sacrifices. This is important to keep in mind as the various modifications are considered. This also makes tuning more of an art than a science. Making gains without upsetting the delicate balance that exists between various systems of something as complex as an automobile is always agonizing when striving for perfection.

With that disclaimer out of the way let's identify some of the known issues with the EVO that are worth addressing. The aging 4G63 engine produces an impressive amount of power for a fun-to-drive daily commuter, but the serious go-fast kind of guy like Mangune would find the car slightly underpowered pulling out of corners. This is partly explained by the turbo lag and fuel mapping. Although Mitsubishi has done its part in attempting to address turbo lag with the TD05HR-16G6C-10.5T turbo assembly, which employs a dual-scroll turbine housing, titanium alloy turbine assembly, and increased compressor diffuser cover inlets, the fundamental problem of lag remains.

Arguably, the turbine assembly in the EVO IX is cutting edge; however, Mitsubishi remained conservative with the boost pressure to maintain reliability. After all, one overlooked component of the aforementioned fragile balance is the manufacturer's warranty and potential liability suits that often accompany the performance-oriented EVO IX. Of course, once Mangune committed to sacrificing several warranty items, the door was blown wide open for modifications that made throttle response livelier. Earl opted for one of HKS' fifth generation, race-proven electronic valve controller units to control boost pressure and increase boost pressure stability. In addition, he installed a larger, mandrel-bent HKS downpipe, one of Road Race Engineering's large-body catalytic converters, and ARC's full titanium exhaust to maximize gas flow for a quicker turbo spool. But, in the process of modifying the induction and exhaust systems he upset the balance established by the ECU's programmed fuel maps. Fortunately, XS Engineering's software allowed them to reprogram all of the necessary parameters in the ECU to compensate for the changes. Still, the increased boost pressure resulted in higher intake air temperatures, which needed to be dealt with in order to deliver cool air into the engine. The solution was a more efficient front-mounted ARC intercooler kit. Although measurable engine performance gains weren't immediately available, the observable improvements were evident during the road test. The perkier engine and lightweight flywheel provided more power out of the turns reducing the understeer that's characteristic of the EVO and its Active Yaw Control (AYC) system.

Story of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Closely a part of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Mitsubishi Evolution was a small four door sedan. On the outside it was a boring sedan with a funny looking radiator and a nice set of rims. But if you look closely or know what you’re looking at, you’ll see those “nice rims” are five spoke high performance Enkei rims hiding a set of very nice Brembo calipers that stops this sedan very quickly. The brakes aren’t the only thing helping stop this little puppy, a set of McPherson Struts at all four corners do the job pretty well. The suspension allows this car to do a lot including, stopping, cornering immensely and even taking a couple of jumps. They might be up to the specs of the WRC status but it’ll take a few and then some.
Also helping Mitsubishi Evolution is the AWD System. A center differential controls the torque delivered to each wheel. Then come the options, 5 speed or 6 speed based on which model you buy is which transmission you get. Then, one of these transmissions is bolted to a finely crafted turbocharged 4 cylinder coded 4G63. The 4G63 and these transmissions were directly removed from the WRC victor Gallant VR-4. This motor is puts out 244HP and 228 FT-LBS TQ. This is where the deer gets its legs.
The “EVO” has one of the world’s largest enthusiast scenes in the world today; all Ten versions. Minor changes were made over the first three editions. Then in 1996 Evo got a facelift. New fog lights, spoilers and rims. In 1998 Mitsubishi allowed Ralliart dealers in Europe to get the Evoluiton. 1999 models received yet another face lift; the fog lights were reduced in size and moved over slightly. In 2001 the FIA mandated that WRC racers follow WRC rules for building cars and not the Group A class rules; and so the EVO seven was born. The Evo seven was created based on the new larger Lancer Cedia platform. Mitsubishi beefed up the suspension and added an active center differential as well as new front and rear differentials. They also increased the torque. New shocks, brakes and rims are the highlight of this next facelift in 2003. However, the big news was that the USA was to be receiving the Evolution. Minor facelift in ’05 but the big thing is the addition of the MI-VEC to the 4G63. Finally in 2007 brought the Mitsubishi Evolution X; a completely new EVO.
It would stay this way till 2011 when Mitsubishi decided to step in and interfere with Evolution.

First win of the season 2011

First win of the season for Jaroslav Melicharek

Slovakian driver Jaroslav Melicharek claimed his first win of the 2011 season last weekend, when he took his MML Sports-prepared and run Mitsubishi Lancer WRC to outright victory on the Tribec Rally, the third round of the national series.

Following on from his third place on the season opener, he drove a dominant rally, claiming six stage wins from the nine stages that made up the one-day event, based in and around Topolclanska.

The Mitsubishi driver certainly didn't have the rally his own way though - he was facing a 2008 Ford Focus WRC, a Subaru Impreza WRCar, a Skoda Fabia WRC and a handful of Super2000 cars, all lightweight, nimble and particularly suited to the tight and twisty tarmac forming the event.

He and the driver of the Focus, Grzegorz Grzyb, swapped position for the lead five times throughout the event, with Melicharek claiming the scratch time on six of the nine stages. By the end of the rally, although Grzyb had a seven second advantage on the road, the fact that he drove straight through a chicane meant he picked up a ten second penalty and therefore, Melicharek took the event win.

Commenting, MML Sports Managing Director John Easton said: "I'm delighted that Jaroslav has taken a win this early in the season. It demonstrates that he is serious about this year's championship and is clearly at home in the Lancer WRC.

"It is also encouraging to know that the Lancer is still extremely competitive, particularly against younger machinery. We know the car is easy to drive quickly, from all the success we've had previously but it is always nice to see it beating World Rally Cars which are at least three years younger."

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Review

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is one of the highest and most tremendous versions of Mitsubishi’s car developed machine. This car is launched lavishly automobile segment car which is commencing by Mitsubishi Motors in a dual project with Hindustan Motors.

This car is assembled magnificently the front side of the car is look a lot like shark- nose. It has wide headlamps, elegant rear lamps, spread aluminum alloy wheels and tubeless radial tyres as well and also gives insistent but modish gaze to the car. This car is designed inimitable and has enough legroom. The middle console has a storage compartment, pen holder and drinks holder and the front door has 1L bottle holder as well. This luxurious car also has the foldable tray in the rear seat back rest. This car Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is designed with superior incorporated audio system, dual air conditioning system with heating, ventilation and AC with air quality sensor, hands free mobile plug ins and Bluetooth, and powerful climate control.

This car is also has 2.0 liter, motorized by inter cooled and turbo charged DOHC aligned engine. The engine of this car is outfitted with 4 cylinder, 16 valves and double cam. The engine is artistic with MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve- timing Electronic Control System) and also has five Speed Manual Transmission Gearbox. The engine of this classy car is generating the power of 291 hp at 6,500 and 300 lb.-ft of crest torque at 4,400rmp.

This car is also designed with several different safety features. This car Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X has head manacles with seat belt pretensioner and also has three point seat belts. This car also announced with advanced seven airbags i.e. double stage front SRS airbags, passenger and driver side impact airbags and front and rear side- curtain airbags. This luxurious car also has ABS means Anti Lock Braking System with yaw rate sensors and brake pressure sensors. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X has ASC feature as well, it means Active Stability Control. This car has RISE means Refined Impact Safety Evolution body chasis which offers you further security and safety. This car also has energy engrossing crumple zones and the car is announced with ample use of high tensile strength steel.