BMW 135i vs Subaru STi vs Mitsubishi Evo X

By Bruno Bouchard

The summer of 2008 beginned very dreary in our neck of the woods because of the record breaking rainfall; the first of July is no exception as the rain pelts down. I pray we are spared the following day as the Road-test.com team will be at the superb Calabogie Motorsports track for our first show down of the year. Benjamin, wily as usual, managed to line-up the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, the Subaru Impreza STi and the BMW 135i. A great day awaits, the skies willing.

I run to the window sleepy-eyed and take in the superb sunlight! The morning weather report calls for rain, but only in the evening. Let it be so, since we have a lot to do before the main event. At 11, we’re already on our way to “Elite BMW” of Ottawa to pick up the 135i. We put it through its paces for two weeks prior, that was enough time for Benjamin to fall in love with this German jewel. Having briefly driven it, I know it to be a serious player and a formidable opponent. The 300hp twin turbo packs enormous torque to seriously heighten acceleration. The car is also lively and light. Benjamin then drives us to Subaru where the Impreza STi sits patiently. I have the honour of driving it to Calabogie. Knowing Ben, he tips his hand at the first stop light; with little distance between reds, he wants to see what the STi is made of. I push it to 3500 revs/pm but no more, in fear of damaging the transmission and the STi springs foreword with surprising stability. The four wheels no sooner bite into the asphalt then the second gear brings it to 65km/h. Whoops, already time to brake….the 135i runs alongside. The battle is on; the two bullets have equal starting power. Since Ottawa does not double as a racecourse, we take our time. On Kirkwood drive heading towards the 417, a young man at the wheel of an Impreza WRX waves with a smile; he surely recognized me! It has nothing to do with me driving the big brother of the Impreza family. After a while, I signal Benjamin to pull over. I had only driven the 135i for a short period and wanted to feel it out before we got to Calabogie. Now that the handsomer guy is at the wheel of the 135i, pretty girls' heads are turning. My ego inflated, we pick up Rene at the Ottawa limits. An hour later, we arrive at Calabogie but the Mitsubishi Evo has not arrived yet! It rolls in just forty-five minutes before the circuit becomes available. She is red with an enormous rear spoiler, a macho front grille, enormous Brembo brakes and very sophisticated AWD. It seems ready for war. After having waited so long to have it in Canada, we can finally confirm all the hype or end up disappointed.


We now have our three gladiators. They are roughly equal in price. The least expensive is the Subaru STi at $44,995 and the dearest, the BMW 135i weighs in at $48,100. The three have about 300hp… Only the BMW 135i does not have all-wheel drive; it moves to rear-wheel drive. May the best machine win!