Well the weather finally cooperated and I took the white EVO X to the track. We put the car back to stock to get some baseline #'s around the road course.

For the data acquisition I'm using the Racepak G2X GSP based track mapping system. This gives me crucial data that I can analyze and compare different cars with.

Autobahn South Course is our standard test track, 2.0 miles long it's a technical track which requires both horsepower and handling.

Here is a track map
http://www.drivefastbesafe.com/PDFs/southmap.pdf

The Test Drive:

I'm absolutely stunned by the balance of the car! Normally I'd drive an EVO IX hard into a corner and turn in is great, the rear of the car moves out a bit and the front starts to point where you want it to go. A nice smooth 4 wheel drift goes to crap as soon as you get on the gas. The front end goes numb and grip falls off, leaving me babysitting the understeer.
The EVO X is completely different, even better than the old STi. It seems that no matter what you do you have complete control of the attitude of the car. You can be WOT and the steering wheel still lets you point the front end of the car no matter what you're doing. Where the EVO IX would go to understeer under throttle the X leaves you in control. The IX required careful timing to initiate the a fast corner because you had to time your mid corner to corner exit speed correctly to avoid understeer. With the X it makes you look like a hero because you can do some stupid stuff with it and it'll save your but and keep you on the line.

Overall a big thumbs up for the handling of the EVO X, huge improvement over the VIII & IX.

Now the disappointing news... power and the lack of it. In stock form the car just felt sluggish. I looked at the speeds at the end of the straight and I swore the ST i was faster. I was right, looking back at my track data from the Racepak, the STi would go 4mph faster at the end of the straight. The good news is that both cars turn very close lap times. The '05 Sti and the EVO X are about equal in lap times. Looking at the corners the EVO X carries a little more speed through the corner and gains on the STi, while the STi pulls away with power. Now I've heard other people say this also, and in my opinion an '05 STi is slightly quicker around a technical road course than an EVO IX. The STi has better balance and when driven at the limit will reward the driver. Having said that I think the EVO X and IX are very equal opponents on track with the EVO X hands down more fun to drive.

I'm very impressed and excited, since it seems the EVO X has more potential as a track car compared to the IX. I think with some power, lower weight, and stickier tires it will be a very potent car. We're doing our PP-1 (Power Pack) package right now and we'll be back at Autobahn South for some back to back comparisons.

Brakes are also great on the X, I ran stock pads and they never gave up, even when pushed really hard lap after lap. I think if we put the car on the scales the front to rear weight bias could be better than a IX which could can contribute to the good brake performance.

Oh.. before I forget, the car ran a 1.41:8 I didn't take it to the absolute limit as Arne's wife would kill me if I brought her car home on a wrecker If I drove it as hard as my kill lap (1.39:7) in our STi I'm sure it would be a mid to low 1.40:XX

 

Nice drivin' Tex!

 

Thanks! Look forward to your next write-up with the mods.

 

Rich will have pics and Vids up the next few days.

 

Sweetness.

 

I was out there to do some shakedown, and preliminary setup in the time attack car this past weekend and got a chance to take a few laps in the X also. Balance is really very impressive even in stock trim. Unfortunately, my laps were run with the stability control system on, so it kept trying to shut down my fun. I was most likely putting the poor computer into electonic convulsions with my attempts at getting the car really hung out. I can say that so long as you keep all 4 on the pavement that it would be darn near impossible to spin this thing out with the stability control on. I can also say that it is also quite a bit slower around a road course with the system on. My quick take is that the car has a ton of potential, with more power, and a diet, I agree with Martin that the X will make a great track car.

Mark Daddio

 

Thanks for this review

 

Awesome! God, I can't wait to get my car on the track! Road Atlanta here I come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

great to hear this. it will really shine once the mods go back on.

 

thanks for write up

 

As promised here some pics from Saturday's testing...












from the left: David, Frank, Joe, Martin, Mark Daddio, Justin ( working on the front splitter of the TA1) and Shane.

Cheers

 

yes pictures are always good. nice ones

 

glad to see another X on the track...we had AGP's @ Firebird East this past weekend.

 

nice review...

 

hey martin, two questions -

1. how do you like your G2X? i am trying to choose between a G2X and a traqmate.

2. have you had a chance to drive an X in wet track conditions? i ask because i'd like to know your thoughts on AYC when under braking. many folks say that AYC pretty much lets the driver get into a corner a bit hotter. i wonder if the AYC (while under braking) still has much control authority when much of the weight has transfered forward and there isn't torque from the engine to distribute side to side.