Mitsubishi on hold

Gearbox gremlins set to delay Evo X

Problems with Mitsubishi’s slick-shifting SST transmission will delay the delivery of the Evo X, according to reports from Japan.

Auto Express Car Reviews

Production difficulties with hi-tech SST gearbox may delay Evo X's arrival

By Dan Strong

11th November 2007

The six-speed semi-automatic gearbox is one of the most capable on the market. But according to our sources, its complexity has meant mass-producing the unit is proving more difficult than expected.

Initially, it was thought that production of cars with the transmission – which is similar to VW’s twin-clutch DSG gearbox – would begin this month in Japan. However, insiders now believe that because of reliability glitches, the first SST models won’t roll out of the factory until early next year, delaying their arrival in the UK until summer. Officially, Mitsubishi claims that there are no problems. The company insists that the Evo X will be available with both the SST gearbox and a more conventional five-speed manual unit from its UK launch in March.

A first for the company, SST – which stands for Sport-Shift Transmission – offers the driver three increasingly responsive modes, ranging from Normal to Sport to Super-Sport, with the last of these holding the engine to the red line before changing up. The driver can take over at any time thanks to F1-style steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The gearbox will ensure the car steals a march on its arch-rival, Subaru’s Impreza STI, which is only available with a conventional manual transmission. Sales of the Evo X get underway in spring, with prices from £30,000.