yah.. but isn't the RS is just a base model meaning, doesn't have all the amenities like the GSR do? Just liteweight to be exact.

What I meant about Mitsu developing a Spec R of some sort is the change in hp, weight distribution as opposed to the 60/40, better footwork, different chassis etc.

 

erikgj pretty much nailed it.

For the existing car? I'll echo the following:
Front LSD
ACD
6spd if bulletproof
RS model in US
Please, for the love of God, get rid of the "Altezza" tail lights. They convey the wrong message. Is this a serious rally performance car or not?

Sure, weight reduction is always welcome, but there's not much low-hanging fruit on the current car. Most of the mass is in the chassis (where it belongs). Which brings us to....

The Clean Sheet Redesign:
1. A slightly smaller, lighter vehicle. Sized more like a WRX. Keep it a 4- or 2-door sedan (not a hatchback) with no folding backseat for improved chassis stiffness. With a smaller car, you can achieve comparable chassis stiffness to today's car at a lower weight with a smaller footprint, less frontal area etc. Target sub-3000 lb.

2. The driving position and visibility on the current car is great. If there is a way to retain the visibility with a smaller glasshouse (slightly more upright windscreen, slightly lower roof, slightly higher beltline but keep the cowl low), that's where you'll see serious weight reduction.

3. 4G63 with GDI head and VVT. Introduce the GDI in a homogeneous-charge format for now, leaving the door open for stratified charge operation later when the catalyst technology catches up. Coupled with a twin-scroll turbine, this combination will have no compromise in low-end boost response while expanding the high-rpm range performance and improving part load fuel consumption. No need to go bigger than 2.0L either.

4. Rotate the engine further back into the chassis like the WRC car to improve polar moment of inertia.

5. Interior: keep it no-frills. Don't throw money at auto climate controls, power seats, etc. The interior as it exists today is functional, attractive enough, and comfort is fine. Does it look a bit cheap? Sure. Get over it.

6. Do not go to drive-by-wire. The driveability of such devices is terrible. Retain the throttle cable.

7. Retain at least the current car's amount of suspension travel and damping characteristics. These two areas are where the current car really shines. Do NOT compromise these on the new car.

 

Ron- G
DI is great but the sulfur content of our gas makes it difficult to do. There is upcoming legislation to reduce our limit for sulfur content over the next five years.

I just want it to stay a focused performance car not a sporty or GT car. There are plenty of those around.

Erik

 

Partly true: GDI requires low-sulfur fuel only when used in lean-burn (stratified charge) mode. If GDI is used only in homogeneous mode, there is no requirement for low sulfur fuel. This is how the GDI system in the BMW 760Li is being used here in the US... currently. The benefit of using GDI in this manner is improved volumetric efficiency (and emissions compliance), so it's completely in keeping with the performance focus.

Expect stratified charge mode to be introduced on the BMW once the fuel quality and catalysts catch up.

 

Clean sheet...

Add adjustability to the AYC, including the option to pretty much defeat it (ie passive LSD behaviour). Add the ability into the ACD to run with a strong rear bias where 50/50 is the maximum front shift.

5 close gears and a tall 6th for highway loping - that way the bigger gas tank is less of an issue. Clean sheet ? Paddle shifters with a big button for finding neutral

2 doors, lower, smaller. NO SUNROOF ! Force dealers to aftermarket that so that no matter how many factory options get loaded on, a big hole in the roof won't be one of them. Nothing good ever came of cutting big holes in stressed skin monocoques.
Solid bulkhead behind the rear seats, no hatchback. As light as humanly possible. The WRC concept Colt looks a great alternative.

Suspension - keep improving, do whatever is required to stay ahead of M3s and the like. Same goes for the brakes - neither can be too good.

Edit - I don't know how much adjustment is built into the EVO8, but the ability dial in at least 2.5 degrees of negative camber at any reasonable ride height would be greatly appreciated.


Hire some stylists please ?
Or treat the current ones to a free trip to LensCrafters.


Clean sheet ? Don't waste time tilting the motor - move it just behind the front seats, or where the rear sats are.
And finally, all the above dependent on keeping the price down.
If the price goes too high it becomes another 3000GT, Supra, 300Z. But if the active EVO8 can be sold the world over for the same price as the passive US EVO8 (adjusted for taxes), it shouldn't be "too hard".

 

This is what I would want. Items that the current EVO doesnt have.
1)Cruise Control- everyone cruises the highway sometime.
2)Sequential Manual Shifting- just like the rally cars have.
3)Electronic Limited Slip- if it's faster/better than current
4)More gauges, espec. Boost gauge- it's eye candy but I never get tired looking at mine.

I'll be able to list more once I actually drive it for a while, so I will have time to miss a feature and notice its absence.

Overload
Colorado

p.s. Don't like the unlock on engine off feature, for safety reasons

 

Everything KK said plus:

• JDM Recaros optional
• Boost gauge standard
• Increase hp to around 320
• Redesign front bottom half bumper air inlets so as not to look so droopy. (Take styling ques from the Puma Racing Evo VII)
• Twin plate clutch optional
• ECU upgrade options
• Make power windows and power locks optional to save weight & money
• Include one hour free driving tutorials with instructor at local track with every Evo purchase.
• SELL THE DAMN CAR IN CANADA!!

That's all I can think of at the moment. Thanks for the consideration themothership.

 

there already is an Evo line that is quite on par with the STi and it is called the RS. same horsepower and torque ratings with one significant difference..................lack of weight cause everything that's supposed to be gone IS gone. no nice things such as power windows or all that crap...............takes a second off the acceleration time and almost a few off lap times. sounds like a good trade off to me. how bout we all rally together for Mitsu to release those in the US instead.then we wouldn't have to worry about possibly blowing engines cause the car's already proven without going to extremes.

 

Bring da the Fog Lights back, like the evo 5, and put in a revamped 4g63 enigine with the twin turbo LOL. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Turbo. LOL and reduce the weight as much as possible. Over all.... my dream evo will have the essence of the 3rd generation evos. mmmmm Fog Lights.

 

Kill two birds with one stone...

Carbon fiber interior, lighter and better looking

More horsepower is not the best answer to a heavy car.
It still needs to turn and stop.

Lighter weight is number one on my list.
Better fit and finish is number two.

My 2 cents

 

Late feedback, but here goes:

Evolving the US Evolution VIII to the US Evolution IX

1. standard 6-speed transmission assuming a bullet-proof 6-speed can be had. 5 short gears with a tall 6th gear for highways. Possibly available as an option, but might be impractical to have too many transmission options (crash testing for one, don't you have to crash test every engine + transmission combination?)
2. OPTIONAL front LSD, AYC, ADC. Make it a $2500 add-on package or whatever the pricetag would need to be. Would be nice to have the front LSD available as a separate option from the electronics as well, but having them all available in a single package would probably cover 90%+ of potential buyers
3. integrate more racing technology. What about cabin-adjustable sway bars? (or even just adjustable sway bars adjusted by changing the mounting holes, i.e. these). Adding adjustable suspension (even just bump and rebound settings on the shocks) would be unheard of on a US production car yet fit perfectly with the road/race/evolution heritage of the Evolution.
4. Optional navigation system. DVD-based. the system on the Nissan 350Z would be a good starting point.

Of course, if a car with these options hits the streets, I'm selling mine and buying another one.

 

I have a dream...

but first, a little demographic info.

I co-drive in the SCCA ProRally series, most recently in a '97 Evo IV running in Open Class. I love rallying. To me, the Evo is and always has been, to its roots, a rally car for the street. Honor that history and stay true to those roots.

The closer the Evo is to the WRC car, the better. I know Mitsubishi was the last manufacturer to move from the Group A (production-based car) specs to the WRC (purpose-built race car) specs, so I know you want the same thing.

For the current Lancer Evolution, all I ask is that you give us what you give the rest of the world. It's enormously frustrating to read about an amazing car, then find out you can't get it in the US. I've lived with that frustration for years with the Evo. Now that we're finally getting it, we're still not getting what the rest of the world gets. WHy? If it's a price point, at least make the extra equipment an option so that we can choose to pay the money for the 6-speed, ACD, Super AYC, etc.

I'd be fine with being able to purchase the equivalent of a JDM car. If you're looking to improve the car, though, here's my list:

ACD and Super AYC (both adjustable or at least switchable)
Sequential Manual Gearbox and stronger clutch
Gauges - boost gauge (I'm astounded there isn't one), oil temp, oil pressure, water temp (all with numbers)
Seats with real bolsters - my '83 GTI had deeper bolsters than the seats in the Evo
No Power Anything - my motto is: if it doesn't help lap times, don't put it on (this means crank windows, no A/C, no radio, no power door locks)
RalliArt - bring on the goodies, starting with a power bump package (ECU, exhaust, etc.) that's waranteed


If you're looking for the next Evo, definitely use a smaller hatchback, ala 206 and Xsara. A 2500 lb. 250 hp car is infinitely better than a 3500 lb. 350 hp car. Other cars I'm looking at: M3, Golf R32, Audi RS3.

 

For more of the same,

ACD most defintely, Super-AYC only if adjustable to being effectually cancelled as mentioned before.
Front LSD or active if new beneficial system becomes available
Optional JDM seats
A bit less weight without sacrifising rigidity (obviously)
Overdrive 6th gear

Those are my main points, though there are quite a few other things mentioned that sound great, but being this late I won't bother reiterating everything. As for the power options, don't get rid of them flat out, just make them optional. I personally want them, but those who don't should have the choice. Another thing, though I'm going to get flamed, I think the dinner-plate foglamps are cheesy so I'm glad they are a thing of the past, but that's just my opinion.

 

That's exactly how I feel.

 

In order of importance:

1. 200lb diet program: Stereo, A/C, Power-this & power-that
2. Front Torsen/Mechanical LSD
3. Larger displacement, more powerful engine
4. ACD
5. Super AYC