How amazing that a sports car can handle all sorts of weather – snow, rain – and perform better than other speedsters do on dry pavement. How does the Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution MR do it? It starts with using a competition (rally racing) derived sports car that was further refined in 2005 for over-the-top performance by how it handled a notorious test track in Germany. All those hours of road bumps, curves, dramatic inclines, descents and surface changes resulted in the Evolution MR. For the 2006 model year, the 4-door sedan provides the driver and front passenger with side bolster-supported Recaro seats (on all Evolution models). Evolution MR-specific treatments include an aluminum shift knob, great for making fast shifts on the MR-exclusive 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The all-weather aptitude of the Evolution is greatly enhanced via an Active Center Differential. With a fingertip touch, a switch on the dash can automatically change the differential to match road conditions (tarmac, snow, gravel). It’s a neat, functional feature that really works as proven during a one-week/750-mile drive that included treks through snow, ice, gravel, and dry pavement. An aluminum roof panel also lowers the center of gravity and helps reduce vehicle roll. Evolution MR doesn’t skimp on power, either. The engine is a 2.0-liter inline, intercooled/turbocharged 4-cylinder, producing 289 pounds-feet of torque at 3500 rpm and 286 horsepower at 6500. This masterpiece is also fitted with Bilstein shock absorbers, BBS forged alloy wheels, and Brembo ventilated disc brakes with ABS. Mile per gallon estimates are 18 city and 24 highway. MSRP of Evolution MR is $35,189.