BARRY GREEN . . .
. . . puts our North East Victoria and Southern Riverina readers behind the wheel of an eclectic mix of performance and classic cars on some of the world’s greatest roads and racing circuits.
Double shots: Sport Sedans
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Story: Barry Green
Photos: Dawn Green
AS a 1960s schoolboy, Barry Green spent his hard-earned pocket money on Racing Car News and Sports Car World, monthly enthusiast magazines he would studiously pore over at the expense of any text book. Little wonder then that reading about fast cars and motorsport led to a four decade career (not out) writing about same, initially as freelancer then author and professional writer. His exploits are captured in two recent release books, The Best of Drives 1 and 2, each a first-hand compilation of nearly 80 drives on some of the world’s greatest roads and circuits. This story is but one . . . (Headshot photo - Ernest Litera)
FROM 2007 until 2020, motoring writer Barry Green drove somewhere between 100 and 120 cars a year – and a few before then.
In an era which saw the uptake of the SUV and dual-cab Ute eclipse all else, it would be fair to say that very few excited or truly engaged him. The odd exception was maybe one in 10.
It is these, an eclectic selection of rorty roadsters, cool coupes, hot hatches, gorgeous GTs, sexy supercars and odd Ute and wagon that our Double Shot series is all about.
In the seventh of our Double Shot series, Barry reminisces about a pair of rare Sport Sedans to remember.
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X ‘TMR Tuner’
You can never have too much of a good thing, right? Which is why, when Team Mitsubishi Ralliart released a Bathurst Edition Evo X, I wasted no time in drawing a bead on one.
The ‘Bathurst’ moniker, of course, pays homage to the Evo’s various generations’ quantum of success in the annual 12 Hour production race of the ‘00s’ at Mt Panorama.
Externally, the war paint was tastefully subtle, limited basically to powder-coated wheels with TMR signature centre caps and badging depicting an outline of the iconic road circuit. It’s under the skin where the B.E. really bristles.
Tick the boxes for an engine re-map boosting power and torque substantially (247kW and 436Nm v standard Evo 217kW and 366Nm), a TMR flow-through exhaust, and bespoke progressive rate spring package heightening handling and ride ability, but lowering centre of gravity 30mm.
Included in the extra $8250 over regular RRP are Mitsubishi’s regular five-year mechanical and 10-year powertrain factory warranties.
Alas, I never did get my hands on a B.E. I lucked in, though, to something even hotter.
As a TMR development mule, this individual ‘Tuner’ variant had been passed on to one of Mitsubishi’s Queensland head office execs as a work car.
It looked pretty standard but had all the foregoing tweaks and even more power and torque, an estimated 270kW and 450Nm+ in total.
It felt faster – and it was. Over an average of four runs at Lakeside, the Tuner covered both the 0-100km/h (5.1sec) and 0-400m (13.3sec) standing sprints some 0.5sec quicker than the standard Evo X MR.
What’s more, the power and torque delivery seemed way smoother and more tractable, no doubt thanks to the liberated exhaust system.
The ride – while still firm – proved acceptably compliant whether it be low or high speed.
And with the TMR tweaks, handling and grip levels were sent soaring, as did the confidence it engendered – I still have vivid recall of the Tuner consuming a quiet, country dirt road, complete with dried-up creek crossing, with basically just finger-tip touch on the tiller.
I’d go as far as saying the Tuner was a more dynamic drive than not just any Evo I’d driven, but arch-rival Subaru’s WRX STI.
Praise doesn’t come any higher.
Basic price new: $74,440. Engine: 2-litre turbo DOHC inline 4-cyl. Power: 270kW. Torque: 450+Nm. Transmission: 6-spd TC-SST. Weight: 1595kg (standard X). Drive: All-wheel (3-mode). 0-100km/h: 5.1sec.
2015 Volvo S60 Polestar
The tenure of non-tribal brands that joined Holden and Ford in the Supercars series under the new Car of the Future regs in 2013 was short and not so sweet.
But Volvo was easily the most successful, winning six races to Nissan’s and Mercedes’ two apiece (It did, of course, have the exceptional talents of a young bloke called Scott McLaughlin as driver).
Parallel with the push into Supercars, Polestar, Volvo’s hot-up division, launched its upgraded S60 sports sedan and V60 sports wagon – new engine management calibration and transmission program, handling enhancements, latest tech and sharper styling.
Result – traction and grip are outstanding, enabling corners to be dispatched thanks to the clever Haldex all-wheel drive system.
Best of all, Polestar gave the S60 and V60 a voice – an active 2.5 into 3.5-inch exhaust which, when the 3-litre, turbo inline-six opens its lungs, a distinct burble and bass at lower revs morphs into an angry, full-on rasp.
Yeeha!
Basic price new: $99,900. Engine: 3-litre turbo DOHC 24v inline-6. Power: 258kW @ 5250rpm. Torque: 500Nm @ 3000-4750rpm. Transmission: 6-spd auto. Weight: 1766kg. Drive: All-wheel. 0-100km/h: 4.9sec.