Yes, the US version CT9A models where the ones different from what other countries get. I call it the "black sheep" among the world CT9A models. No SAYC, US version Evo 8 rear bumpers, US version head lights (amber is on top of the signal light), "MR" is a trim level and not a car model (in other countries, its known as Evo 9 MR GSR or Evo 9 MR RS), aluminum roof limited only to MR models, RS model has no wing (original RS model still has a wing), RS model is still heavy, RS model has Enkei rims (the original RS uses steel rims, RS2 models have Enkeis already). And only the US had an "SE" model which is known as the Evo 9 MR in Asia and in Europe.

 

Actually, I do see FMA as a combination of many fighting styles out there like Brazilian Jiujitsu, Muay Thai, etc but just a bit more modified by Pinoys. An original Pinoy martial art though is Eskrima or stick fighting, it was even featured on NatGeo. Eskrima fighters are trained so intently that one of their training is they have to wrestle and bring down a water buffalo or a carabao. Talk about katapangan!

 

Make sense now...That's why I always find it off, US evo 9 got an evo 8 rear bumper. At least they offer an RS version to be registered. Wish they do it here too, especially the X.

 

USDM evo9 with evo 8 bumper because of US crashworthiness with the crash beam in place in evo8 bumpers which you have to remove or shaved/shortened(useless) if you plan to put a JDM evo9 bumper. Evo 9 MR is also a different model in UK which has a FQ360 base, a different wheel(not BBS) and some special springs besides the stock bilstein.

 

this....


http://www.carkeys.co.uk/road_test/mitsubishi/12547.asp

 

Actually, all UK Evos are different from the time the Evo 7 came out. The retune a base model Evo so they came out with the Evo 260, Evo FQ300, Evo FQ340, and Evo FQ400. The CP9A models saw the Evo Xtreme which is based on the Zero-Fighter Evo in Japan. FQ series are not Mitsubishi built packages, but were done with a tie-up with tuners Graham Neale and Warren Heath.

 

the CP9A had the 6 and 6.5(TME) evo japan and UK. in UK, the defunct ralliartuk were the ones making xtreme packages, from the Xtreme models to the Zero fighter evo in the UK. the Colt Car Co of the UK wanted a piece of the action hence when the Evo VIII(CT9A or cedia model) came out, they made the FQ series and ralliartuk was relegated to just a specialty shop selling Evo's, not the FQ but Xtreme or now XT series. the ralliartuk was owned and operated by one of the ralliart WRC team members(I think he passed away awhile back) after the FQ were being sold already. That is why they used to have Grp N packages if you want or the Grp A packages for your Evo V-VIII that it costs up to 100,000 pounds for one of these Evo's.

http://www.xtreme-uk.net/

The only official Evo in the US is the Evo VIII which lacked some of the AYC packages see in the Evo V-VI and ACD seen on the Evo VII. There some "grey" Evo VII that came to the US marketed by one of the vendors of evom initially, Evolution Imports but because they cannot make it street legal, got all the payments from evom members but could not deliver the cars to everybody. They eventually closed shop and operated out of the US. The cars are still in the US in "non-Street legal form." The US Evo VIII MR had the benefit of ACD as well as the evo IX/IX MR. only the Evo X have all the SAYC, ACD in the cars.

 

Also, as the Evos evolved from 2001 (Evo VII) onwards, you noticed also the changes to fit a global market and for it to be sold like a regular Lancer already, and not in super limited orders.

From the time the Evo was sold in the US which basically completed a world wide market for the rally car, it indeed became "softer". The US CT9A was the one different from what other countries got as Mitsubishi had to create a "special" Evo model to fit US laws and regulations. It was as well mass produced. Then came in the CZ4A (Evo X) wherein the US model was no different from the JDM and EuDM models.

IMO though, no biases aside as I had also previously owned an Evo VII, I do feel that the real essence of an Evo could be found in the models I to VI. They were totally uncomfortable and noisy. Even the GSR models sold in Japan where the same. Seats where really small as it was meant to take Asians and fit rally car drivers. They were ready to race, as all you needed where just rollbars. Also, the Evos way back had a special factory away from the regular assembly line. They were very fast, thanks to a short gear ratio plus all the lightweight stuff they did. When I had my VII which was even modified, I was not able to keep up with a bone stock Evo IV RS and an Evo II at the now defunct Subic International Raceway. I cant even narrow the gap as their cornering was speeds and launch from the hairpins and corners where really fast.

I read the article in this site about this guy comparing the old Evo to the new ones and I do agree with him when he said the old Evos where too hardcore. Uncomfortable, noisy, no comfort features, but very fast. No wonder why US never allowed an Evo to get in prior to the VIII. Ayan nga lang, when the VIII got in, adjustments had to be made that deviated it from a normal CT9A model.

 

hello kababayans...Noob here...

 

welcome sir..

where u from?

 

@ Crazyeyes: I saw an Evo IX with plates ending in 999 at EDSA two weeks ago driving like Akio at the Wangan. Ikaw ba yan?

 

^^ I don't remember where I was two weeks ago. What section of EDSA? But most probably that was me. I don't know of another Evo IX with plates ending in 999.

BTW I'm not familiar with Wangan Midnight. I'm guessing I was driving fast? haha.

 

Its a movie based on the Mangga comics talking about 2 street racers in Japan. Wangan is like one of Japan's main highways from Tokyo to Yokohama (correct me if I am wrong) and it is known for street racing. Akio is the protaginist, driving the blue Datsun Z known as the Devil Z. He is then competing against the "Blackbird" which is a black Porsche Turbo. Both wants to compete for supremacy and to be known as the king of the Wangan. So it is basically about street racing in Japan with target speeds higher than 320kph.

"Midnight" was this real life group of street racers in Japan. They run the Wangan at midnight till day break. They run at speeds in excess of 300kph and they sustain that.

Here is a video, taken from part of JDM Insider II. By the way, if you could get copies of those DVDs, please let me know where.


Mods: Hope you could allow this video as a documentary only. This was taken from the JDM Insider DVDs being sold in the US.

During the 80s, the king of the Wangan was really the Porsche, until the Skyline GTR kicked them out of that slot.

That is why the GTR is like a god-car in Japan, and it is the reason why I only get JDM parts for my GTR as I know that these Japanese tuning companies throw all their money, effort, research and competition on the GTR.

 

Very nice!

 

sorry, it is still street racing which to some can lead to trashing the whole thread.