Jeremy Clarkson Talking About the Lancer Evo Will Make You Go Running to Buy a Used Lancer!
If you’ve ever watched Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear, you know he has a knack for turning even the most ordinary cars into objects of pure desire. But when it comes to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution—better known as the Evo—Clarkson’s excitement is so infectious, you’ll find yourself scouring the classifieds for a used one before the credits even roll.
A Car That’s More Than Just Fast
Clarkson doesn’t just talk about the Evo’s speed—though, let’s be honest, it’s the kind of speed that makes even Ferraris nervous. He’s in awe of how the Evo manages to blend raw power with a sense of absolute control. Imagine a car that lets you hurl it into a corner, tyres screaming, and somehow, it just stays glued to the road. Clarkson once said that no other car he’d driven could remain so composed in a wild, four-wheel drift. The Evo makes you feel like a rally hero, even if you’re just popping down to the shops.
The Everyday Supercar
What really gets Clarkson going is how the Evo isn’t just a track monster. After a day of hooning about, you can drive it home in comfort. The seats are soft, the plastics are better than you’d expect, and the boot is big enough for your weekly shop—or, as Clarkson put it, his daughter’s entire back-to-school kit. It’s a car that doesn’t force you to choose between fun and practicality. Four doors, five seats, and a boot: it’s a family saloon that just happens to be able to outpace most sports cars.
The Evo’s Secret Weapon
Clarkson loves talking about the Evo’s handling, and for good reason. There are buttons and settings galore for the geeks, but he insists the real magic is in the basics. The steering is sharp, the chassis is alive, and the turbocharged engine gives you a shove in the back that never gets old. In one of his most memorable escapades, Clarkson even pitted the Evo against the British Army—yes, tanks and all. The car, formerly owned by a drug dealer (with a few oddities left behind in the glovebox), dodged bullets and tore across muddy fields, proving it could survive just about anything thrown its way.
Why You’ll Want One—Right Now
Clarkson’s enthusiasm is contagious. He describes the Evo as “monumentally, toweringly, eye-wateringly brilliant.” He jokes that if you’re being chased by an Evo, you won’t shake it off unless the driver is a complete muppet. And while he’s quick to point out its flaws—like the droning engine on the motorway and the less-than-stellar fuel economy—you get the sense that these are quirks, not deal-breakers. In fact, they just add to the Evo’s charm.
The Used Lancer Temptation
Here’s the thing: Clarkson’s tales aren’t about the latest, shiniest Evo. He’s just as passionate about the older models, which you can now find used for the price of a sensible hatchback. Whether it’s the Evo VIII, IX, or X, each has its own flavour, but all share that same DNA: a car that’s practical, thrilling, and just a little bit unhinged.
Well, we in India have a small problem - we got a not particularly fast or aggressive Lancer in India, and only a few Evos were actually brought in and sold in India. Their owners are holding on to them like precious jewels and its going to be difficult to find one to buy.
That is, unless you want to buy a regular old Lancer. That is available pretty easily, dirt-cheap and you can buy one and turn it into a project car - and all manner of upgrades are available.
You don’t need to be a petrolhead to want one. Clarkson’s stories make the Evo sound like the car for anyone who’s ever dreamed of excitement on the daily commute. It’s the car that lets you live out your rally fantasies, pick up the kids, and still have enough change left for a takeaway.
The Final Push
So, if you find yourself daydreaming about sideways action, turbo whistles, and the sort of car that makes even the army sweat, blame Jeremy Clarkson. His love for the Lancer Evo is so persuasive, you’ll be checking used car listings before you know it. And when you finally get behind the wheel, don’t be surprised if you start narrating your own drive in a Clarkson-esque voice—after all, with a car like the Evo, every journey feels like a Top Gear adventure.