Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo-R
Rating:
Don't judge a box by its cover; this MPV's got the heart of an Evo VII
By Jethro Bovingdon/Andy Morgan
January 2003
If you've ever driven a Mitsubishi Evo VII you'll know that it's as brutal and intoxicating as any road car money can buy. There's no concession to comfort and an almost clinical, obsessive focus on going as quickly as possible above all else. The Evo makes you drive faster than you would in other cars but at the same time engages you on a personal level - goading you mercilessly until you give it all of your attention and start working to its agenda. If you're not committed it sulks and you feel like a wimp, and when you do give in and push the Evo anywhere near its limits your licence is in grave danger. People who buy them must be very strong-willed or have no regard for the law whatsoever.
The problem is that the Evo is so hardcore it's bound to alienate plenty of potential owners. People who love the idea of big turbocharged power when they're on their own, but have a family to think about. People who wouldn't dare subject their loved ones to the vomit-inducing rollercoaster that is the rear seat of an Evo VII. That's where the rather ungainly-looking Airtrek Turbo-R, imported by Mitsubishi gurus Xtreme Autos comes in. It's practical, obviously, but under that bulbous body lays the heart of an Evo VII.
For starters there's that same rather anodyne-sounding 4G63 four-cylinder turbo engine channelling its power through a four-wheel-drive system based on that of the Evo. Power is down to 237bhp but the peak torque figure of 253lb ft is produced at a lowly 2500rpm. Unfortunately it's not available as a manual but it borrows the effective five-speed auto from the Evo VII GTA. So it's a practical family five-seater, complete with generous boot, great visibility and turbo-nutter engine. All for £22,995. The question is, can it meld the seemingly incompatible goals of convincing family wagon and hardcore all-wheel-drive thrill seeker?
The Airtrek's only real competition can be found, rather predictably, in Subaru showrooms. We're big fans of the new Forester XT but with only 177hp and a pricetag of £21,500 you'd have to put the Airtrek ahead on paper. But it's
on the road that the Forester puts up a stronger fight - it's an absolute hoot to drive and a tough benchmark for the Airtrek. If you can't see the appeal of these rally-replica-on-stilts vehicles just imagine a car with 70 per cent of the poise of the genuine article and only 50 per cent of the grip. Getting the picture?
The Turbo-R's interior is certainly a step-up from the downmarket Evo. Audi won't be benchmarking it for tips on quality or style, but nevertheless it's no bad place to be and the flashes of ebony-style trim look and feel quite classy. There are steering-wheel mounted shift buttons that rock in both directions so that up and down changes can be executed by either hand, but the movement lacks the precision feel you'd like considering the mechanical nature of the change. This is one aggressive auto - it will swap ratios seamlessly on part-throttle but feels happier banging home the shifts with the ferocity of an F1-style semi-auto.
It's this hard-edged character that defines the Airtrek. Kickdown is breathtaking. Literally. With the throttle pinned to the carpet there's a momentary pause, an almighty bang and then you're thrown down the road with almost comical thrust. It's in the mid-range that the Turbo-R really flies. A trip to the rev-limiter (set at over 7000rpm) is a bit pointless - change up at 5500rpm and you're straight back in to the fattest part of the torque belt. And the real joy is just how unexpected the acceleration is to those around you. Other road users can't come to terms with the Airtrek's unlikely performance.
Corners are despatched with almost as much disdain as straights. There is body roll, of course, but the Airtrek never strays too far from your chosen path. It's essentially very neutral but understeer can be provoked if you're right in the meat of the turbo's force. Two inside spinning wheels means you're pushing especially hard and with a provocative mid-corner lift the big Airtrek can be made to slide neatly with just a hint of oversteer. Overall it's great fun and never feels too soft or wallowy despite its lofty stance. It's no Evo VII but offers plenty of thrills per mile. The real dynamic weak link is the steering which is extremely vague around the straight-ahead and never weights up even under heavy loads.
So while the Airtrek's physical dimensions and slightly softer set-up mean a well-driven Evo or Impreza would leave it for dead, there's no doubt that the oddball Mitsubishi is highly focused on the driver having a good time. In fact, that could be its downfall. Its power delivery is so uncompromising and the grippy, neutral handling so enticing that you can't help but drive it like... well, like it's an Evo VII. Which means you'll still lose your licence and your family will be subjected to tediously regular bouts of travel sickness. A Scooby Forester can't match its performance but is probably the better resolved package.