The Lancer Evolution X is one of the fastest point-to-point driving tools in town and also one of the easiest to “fly” at ground level. But the Evo X isn’t the easiest car to buy.
The authorised agent, Cycle & Carriage, sells the iconic Mitsubishi with a standardised bundle at a fixed cost, while parallel importers (PI) offer what appears to be a similar model but at wildly different prices, depending on whom you ask and when.
To help you master the theory of Evolution in the marketplace and purchase the car with greater confidence, we’ve brought together the official Evo X for Singapore and the unofficial model to check out their different features. Both are the 6-speed SST version with the works.
The biggest advantage of the C&C Evo X is its generous 3-year/100,000km warranty and strong after-sale support. This is reassuring because you’re buying a $159,000 turbo sports saloon with expensive components and sophisticated electronics. Would you rather get your big-ticket item from a large “box office” or some hole in the wall?
Official engine is rated at the usual 280bhp and has been “tropicalised” for local conditions, so it should be high on mechanical reliability.
Incidentally, a handful of PIs, including the one who supplied this car to us, have technical backing from well-known tuners, so it’s less of a risk that the PI Evo will have problems with maintenance.
In fact, this particular PI actually runs its own in-house workshop, are well staffed and well stocked with tools that include an Evolution-specific diagnostic kit.
Unofficial engine can be individually tuned by a particular supplier before delivery, allowing you to choose a higher power rating that is priced accordingly.
As for pricing, the C&C vehicle is listed at $159,988 (including COE), compared to $148,800 for the PI car that was tested. Their Open Market Values are said to be similar (although this vary among PIs), and both are GSR-spec cars that come highly equipped. Another advantage of the PI Evo X highlighted here is that it can be customised with extra performance parts and then sold as a complete package, all under the same hire purchase plan if necessary.
Please refer to the pictures and their captions for the nitty-gritty of this mysterious X file.
The PI dealer in this case offers a choice of Evo exhausts, including this example’s (right) LTA-compliant HKS system. C&C Evo (left) has a stock exhaust system and specified Bilstein dampers and Eibach spring as original equipment.
Head-lamp washers are standard only on the official edition.
The registration plate position is more purposeful on the JDM Evo.
C&C Evo offers convenient audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel, plus a powerful Rockford Fosgate hi-fi and seven airbags.
PI car has twin airbags and puts the important S-AWC button on its steering, instead of between the seats like the other Evo.
C&C Evo’s important S-AWC button is found between the seats.
… while PI Evo’s S-AWC button is found on its steering wheel instead.
