EVO X driving impressions
Feb 10, 2008, 01:38 AM
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EVO X driving impressions
well I finally got a chance to take a solid drive in an EVO X. It happens to be the only tuned X around right now owned by Shiv at Vishnu (thanks Shiv!). I ran the car quite hard with all stability systems off.
I have to say I was extremely impressed with the car, it was almost universally better than the previous EVOs in just about every area.
Ergonomics: Big step up with the seats, slight step back with the long dash and more intrusive A pillar. Clutch and shifter feel as good as before from a function standpoint but less vibration than the previous models. Everything has a refined silky feel that is unexpected but very welcome, it feels more upscale, much nicer all around though it is still not quite an Audi inside (no real surprise there).
Drivability: on the road at normal speeds it is much refined, you can feel the solidity of the new chassis and the significant reduction of NVH levels. Everything is well isolated, quiet and refined verses pervious EVOs. The drivetrain had a dampened feel to it with less slop and vibration, you could feel this on every shift and significant change in throttle position. The car had an exhaust on it and was very quite inside at any speed relative to an 8-9 EVO. This is a huge plus, you can have a free flowing exhaust without freeway drone!
Engine: overall excellent with smooth power through the rev band. Strong mid-range torque. Again refined and smoother than before. It does not feel like four cylinder (especially on boost
) and it's hard to believe this engine is so much smoother without balance shafts. It make a ~100hp over stock and feels great for a daily driver/track day car.
Ride: 8-9 MR like ride quality (in a non-MR X), plenty of wheel travel and control. Steering quick and precise with good feel. As a matter of fact the whole car feel more precise with less much tramlining and kickback from bumps/seams etc, more BMW M like here with the addition of refinement to the already high level of response we are all used to.
Handling: WOW!!! can't begin to impress on you how much better this is then and 8-9. The Solid Chassis and excellent wheel control are nice but the drivetrain takes the cake. The rear torque vectoring Super AYC diff make all the difference with dead neutral handling characteristics on any corner any surface at any speed. It responds and reacts perfectly anywhere in the corner. Credit also to the brake system with excellent release characteristics that allow for very precise placement into the corner at silly speeds.
With the 8-9 you could feel them roll and wash out if you loaded the car too much on entry with the X it allows for very aggressive entries with complete composure. It has much more depth of talent in stock form than an 8-9.
When you added 100hp to an 8-9 and drove it hard on stock suspension and brakes you could quickly feel the need to upgrade everything to match the new found power (but the X handles it like it's no big deal). It shows how much higher the level of the car truly is now...
Brakes: strong, fade free, slightly soft pedal but with excellent modulation. Great bias with no premature ABS intervention even across bumps and the above mentioned great release characteristics.
Summery: While the X did gain some mass (
) it puts it to good use by elevating the car to a true refined daily driver with a much better (stiffer) unibody(
). The better weight distribution, refined suspension and amazing AWD system make it more of an EVO than ever, this car is telepathic in it's responses and as mentioned has significantly greater depth of ability than any EVO before. The Engine is also a step forward with smoothness refinement and broad power and responds to tuning better than anyone expected (though when you realize how much better the engine breaths its not much of a surprise).
I look forward to seeing the X progress and hope they bring in the full zoot model with the adaptive headlights, active steering and adaptive dampers (plus SST of course), I will take mine in White
Its a no brainer guys, it's a better car, time to sell your 8-9 to the drag racers because there's a new sheriff in town if you like going around corners
Thanks again Shiv when do I get to drive the Lambo? And Martin we need the X's diff in the TA car. That is all for now...
I have to say I was extremely impressed with the car, it was almost universally better than the previous EVOs in just about every area.
Ergonomics: Big step up with the seats, slight step back with the long dash and more intrusive A pillar. Clutch and shifter feel as good as before from a function standpoint but less vibration than the previous models. Everything has a refined silky feel that is unexpected but very welcome, it feels more upscale, much nicer all around though it is still not quite an Audi inside (no real surprise there).
Drivability: on the road at normal speeds it is much refined, you can feel the solidity of the new chassis and the significant reduction of NVH levels. Everything is well isolated, quiet and refined verses pervious EVOs. The drivetrain had a dampened feel to it with less slop and vibration, you could feel this on every shift and significant change in throttle position. The car had an exhaust on it and was very quite inside at any speed relative to an 8-9 EVO. This is a huge plus, you can have a free flowing exhaust without freeway drone!
Engine: overall excellent with smooth power through the rev band. Strong mid-range torque. Again refined and smoother than before. It does not feel like four cylinder (especially on boost
) and it's hard to believe this engine is so much smoother without balance shafts. It make a ~100hp over stock and feels great for a daily driver/track day car.Ride: 8-9 MR like ride quality (in a non-MR X), plenty of wheel travel and control. Steering quick and precise with good feel. As a matter of fact the whole car feel more precise with less much tramlining and kickback from bumps/seams etc, more BMW M like here with the addition of refinement to the already high level of response we are all used to.
Handling: WOW!!! can't begin to impress on you how much better this is then and 8-9. The Solid Chassis and excellent wheel control are nice but the drivetrain takes the cake. The rear torque vectoring Super AYC diff make all the difference with dead neutral handling characteristics on any corner any surface at any speed. It responds and reacts perfectly anywhere in the corner. Credit also to the brake system with excellent release characteristics that allow for very precise placement into the corner at silly speeds.
With the 8-9 you could feel them roll and wash out if you loaded the car too much on entry with the X it allows for very aggressive entries with complete composure. It has much more depth of talent in stock form than an 8-9.
When you added 100hp to an 8-9 and drove it hard on stock suspension and brakes you could quickly feel the need to upgrade everything to match the new found power (but the X handles it like it's no big deal). It shows how much higher the level of the car truly is now...
Brakes: strong, fade free, slightly soft pedal but with excellent modulation. Great bias with no premature ABS intervention even across bumps and the above mentioned great release characteristics.
Summery: While the X did gain some mass (
) it puts it to good use by elevating the car to a true refined daily driver with a much better (stiffer) unibody( ). The better weight distribution, refined suspension and amazing AWD system make it more of an EVO than ever, this car is telepathic in it's responses and as mentioned has significantly greater depth of ability than any EVO before. The Engine is also a step forward with smoothness refinement and broad power and responds to tuning better than anyone expected (though when you realize how much better the engine breaths its not much of a surprise).I look forward to seeing the X progress and hope they bring in the full zoot model with the adaptive headlights, active steering and adaptive dampers (plus SST of course), I will take mine in White
Its a no brainer guys, it's a better car, time to sell your 8-9 to the drag racers because there's a new sheriff in town if you like going around corners
Thanks again Shiv when do I get to drive the Lambo? And Martin we need the X's diff in the TA car. That is all for now...
Feb 10, 2008, 05:24 AM
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yeah if only they were sitting around at all dealerships waiting for buyers 
well I finally got a chance to take a solid drive in an EVO X. It happens to be the only tuned X around right now owned by Shiv at Vishnu (thanks Shiv!). I ran the car quite hard with all stability systems off.
I have to say I was extremely impressed with the car, it was almost universally better than the previous EVOs in just about every area.
Ergonomics: Big step up with the seats, slight step back with the long dash and more intrusive A pillar. Clutch and shifter feel as good as before from a function standpoint but less vibration than the previous models. Everything has a refined silky feel that is unexpected but very welcome, it feels more upscale, much nicer all around though it is still not quite an Audi inside (no real surprise there).
Drivability: on the road at normal speeds it is much refined, you can feel the solidity of the new chassis and the significant reduction of NVH levels. Everything is well isolated, quiet and refined verses pervious EVOs. The drivetrain had a dampened feel to it with less slop and vibration, you could feel this on every shift and significant change in throttle position. The car had an exhaust on it and was very quite inside at any speed relative to an 8-9 EVO. This is a huge plus, you can have a free flowing exhaust without freeway drone!
Engine: overall excellent with smooth power through the rev band. Strong mid-range torque. Again refined and smoother than before. It does not feel like four cylinder (especially on boost ) and it's hard to believe this engine is so much smoother without balance shafts. It make a ~100hp over stock and feels great for a daily driver/track day car.
Ride: 8-9 MR like ride quality (in a non-MR X), plenty of wheel travel and control. Steering quick and precise with good feel. As a matter of fact the whole car feel more precise with less much tramlining and kickback from bumps/seams etc, more BMW M like here with the addition of refinement to the already high level of response we are all used to.
Handling: WOW!!! can't begin to impress on you how much better this is then and 8-9. The Solid Chassis and excellent wheel control are nice but the drivetrain takes the cake. The rear torque vectoring Super AYC diff make all the difference with dead neutral handling characteristics on any corner any surface at any speed. It responds and reacts perfectly anywhere in the corner. Credit also to the brake system with excellent release characteristics that allow for very precise placement into the corner at silly speeds.
With the 8-9 you could feel them roll and wash out if you loaded the car too much on entry with the X it allows for very aggressive entries with complete composure. It has much more depth of talent in stock form than an 8-9.
When you added 100hp to an 8-9 and drove it hard on stock suspension and brakes you could quickly feel the need to upgrade everything to match the new found power (but the X handles it like it's no big deal). It shows how much higher the level of the car truly is now...
Brakes: strong, fade free, slightly soft pedal but with excellent modulation. Great bias with no premature ABS intervention even across bumps and the above mentioned great release characteristics.
Summery: While the X did gain some mass ( ) it puts it to good use by elevating the car to a true refined daily driver with a much better (stiffer) unibody( ). The better weight distribution, refined suspension and amazing AWD system make it more of an EVO than ever, this car is telepathic in it's responses and as mentioned has significantly greater depth of ability than any EVO before. The Engine is also a step forward with smoothness refinement and broad power and responds to tuning better than anyone expected (though when you realize how much better the engine breaths its not much of a surprise).
I look forward to seeing the X progress and hope they bring in the full zoot model with the adaptive headlights, active steering and adaptive dampers (plus SST of course), I will take mine in White
Its a no brainer guys, it's a better car, time to sell your 8-9 to the drag racers because there's a new sheriff in town if you like going around corners
Thanks again Shiv when do I get to drive the Lambo? And Martin we need the X's diff in the TA car. That is all for now...
I have to say I was extremely impressed with the car, it was almost universally better than the previous EVOs in just about every area.
Ergonomics: Big step up with the seats, slight step back with the long dash and more intrusive A pillar. Clutch and shifter feel as good as before from a function standpoint but less vibration than the previous models. Everything has a refined silky feel that is unexpected but very welcome, it feels more upscale, much nicer all around though it is still not quite an Audi inside (no real surprise there).
Drivability: on the road at normal speeds it is much refined, you can feel the solidity of the new chassis and the significant reduction of NVH levels. Everything is well isolated, quiet and refined verses pervious EVOs. The drivetrain had a dampened feel to it with less slop and vibration, you could feel this on every shift and significant change in throttle position. The car had an exhaust on it and was very quite inside at any speed relative to an 8-9 EVO. This is a huge plus, you can have a free flowing exhaust without freeway drone!
Engine: overall excellent with smooth power through the rev band. Strong mid-range torque. Again refined and smoother than before. It does not feel like four cylinder (especially on boost
) and it's hard to believe this engine is so much smoother without balance shafts. It make a ~100hp over stock and feels great for a daily driver/track day car.Ride: 8-9 MR like ride quality (in a non-MR X), plenty of wheel travel and control. Steering quick and precise with good feel. As a matter of fact the whole car feel more precise with less much tramlining and kickback from bumps/seams etc, more BMW M like here with the addition of refinement to the already high level of response we are all used to.
Handling: WOW!!! can't begin to impress on you how much better this is then and 8-9. The Solid Chassis and excellent wheel control are nice but the drivetrain takes the cake. The rear torque vectoring Super AYC diff make all the difference with dead neutral handling characteristics on any corner any surface at any speed. It responds and reacts perfectly anywhere in the corner. Credit also to the brake system with excellent release characteristics that allow for very precise placement into the corner at silly speeds.
With the 8-9 you could feel them roll and wash out if you loaded the car too much on entry with the X it allows for very aggressive entries with complete composure. It has much more depth of talent in stock form than an 8-9.
When you added 100hp to an 8-9 and drove it hard on stock suspension and brakes you could quickly feel the need to upgrade everything to match the new found power (but the X handles it like it's no big deal). It shows how much higher the level of the car truly is now...
Brakes: strong, fade free, slightly soft pedal but with excellent modulation. Great bias with no premature ABS intervention even across bumps and the above mentioned great release characteristics.
Summery: While the X did gain some mass (
) it puts it to good use by elevating the car to a true refined daily driver with a much better (stiffer) unibody( ). The better weight distribution, refined suspension and amazing AWD system make it more of an EVO than ever, this car is telepathic in it's responses and as mentioned has significantly greater depth of ability than any EVO before. The Engine is also a step forward with smoothness refinement and broad power and responds to tuning better than anyone expected (though when you realize how much better the engine breaths its not much of a surprise).I look forward to seeing the X progress and hope they bring in the full zoot model with the adaptive headlights, active steering and adaptive dampers (plus SST of course), I will take mine in White
Its a no brainer guys, it's a better car, time to sell your 8-9 to the drag racers because there's a new sheriff in town if you like going around corners
Thanks again Shiv when do I get to drive the Lambo? And Martin we need the X's diff in the TA car. That is all for now...
Feb 10, 2008, 05:41 AM
#4
I test drove one here in Chicagoland and would echo all of your positive comments. As the owner of two 9's, I just had to see what I was missing.
Positives:
- Chassis felt extremely solid
- Brakes felt very strong
- Interior was nice (loved the fast key), but could have flowed together a little better
- Even though it's heavier, it doesn't feel like a heavy car. With all of the torque down low, it actually accelerates easier than a 9.
- It looks mean and everything flows well on the car
Negatives:
- Steering is definitely duller, I did not feel as connected to the car
- Definitely feels much weaker up top (but note: this car was bone stock)
- Tiny trunk
Overall I would agree with most of the positive posts here to say it is an evolution. However, I would only consider purchasing one IF it can hit 350+whp with similar mods as a 9 (to negate the weight gain) and rip a 11 second 1/4 mile. I still don't know if that would close the "fun gap" in comparison to the 9, but if so this would be a hell of a car. Now if the X RS came to town, whoa momma. For now, I'm very happy with my 9's and have no plans to buy the X.
Positives:
- Chassis felt extremely solid
- Brakes felt very strong
- Interior was nice (loved the fast key), but could have flowed together a little better
- Even though it's heavier, it doesn't feel like a heavy car. With all of the torque down low, it actually accelerates easier than a 9.
- It looks mean and everything flows well on the car
Negatives:
- Steering is definitely duller, I did not feel as connected to the car
- Definitely feels much weaker up top (but note: this car was bone stock)
- Tiny trunk
Overall I would agree with most of the positive posts here to say it is an evolution. However, I would only consider purchasing one IF it can hit 350+whp with similar mods as a 9 (to negate the weight gain) and rip a 11 second 1/4 mile. I still don't know if that would close the "fun gap" in comparison to the 9, but if so this would be a hell of a car. Now if the X RS came to town, whoa momma. For now, I'm very happy with my 9's and have no plans to buy the X.
Feb 10, 2008, 10:05 PM
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I used the brakes for 20 minutes straight very hard at an undisclosed location which may or may not have been Infineon Raceway (where I work).
Feb 11, 2008, 10:29 AM
#7
HAHA!! When a pro level driver [who drives the AMS Time Attack car and took the Vishnu Car so far in One Lap a few years ago] gives this kind of praise to the X, it goes a long way. Case closed.
PS: Sadly, this won't stop the haters from revving their engines up to flame the X anyway, but its certainly a great review from a guy who knows without a doubt what he's talking about.
Thanks for the writeup, Paul!
PS: Sadly, this won't stop the haters from revving their engines up to flame the X anyway, but its certainly a great review from a guy who knows without a doubt what he's talking about.
Thanks for the writeup, Paul!
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Feb 11, 2008, 10:37 AM
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Nice to see the review on a modded Evo X, which pretty much confirms my suspicions after driving a stock Evo X. In stock form, the power of the car is just not able to live up to the very good chassis and extra weight. Can't wait to finagle a drive in a modded X ... preferably on a road course, hehe. 
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Feb 11, 2008, 10:40 AM
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On a separate note, Paul, what are your feelings of learning to drive on an Evo X versus a pre-ACD VIII? In other words, how good are the Evo X's AWD electronics at making up for/masking bad driver habits versus the old mechanical AWD setup?
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Feb 11, 2008, 01:02 PM
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Great review, but I will wait for the RS and then get one. Currently I own an EVO8 and I love it. Too bad I have to get rid of it. I will get the X in the near future.
Feb 11, 2008, 01:23 PM
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Feb 11, 2008, 01:39 PM
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Everyone is going to have differing opinions so lets just leave it at that.