I would agree with that statement, i think the electronic assistance of the VIII/IX takes away some of the skill required to push the car to its limits, so for an enthusiast, the IX would feel duller and boring, but at the end of the day for 99% of the evo owners out there, that electronic assistance will help them gain quicker lap times, so it should be embraced and not scoffed at.

I feel that both cars may be equal in its limit, perhaps the VI being slightly faster because of its reduced weight, but only a select few can harnish the advantages of a VI and equate it to quicker lap times over a IX. In that sense, the IX is in fact an "evolution" of an incredible machine.

Great input guys, its good to see input from guys who have driven Evos outside the US give their opinions on the subject matter. I think i speak for all of us here in America when i say i hope you can provide us with continued insight on the goodies that are over there that we cant have.

 

What's all this talk about electronic assist on the VIII? I can't seem to find any of that in my '03 Evo VIII owner's manual, or even in the technical service manual. What's ACD and AYC? Please enlighten. Oh, you must be referring to the ABS!

As for predictability and ease of driving, that woulda been nice when I drove through somebody's antifreeze at Lime Rock as I was accelerating onto the main straight from the off-camber downhill turn. I didn't know the car could do a 360 that quickly . . .

 

the acd uses electronic sensors (i guess i shouldve stated i was referring to IX/VIII 05 models)

Huh? Look, theres only so much the car can do to help out, you cant just leave your foot on the throttle and expect the car to take care of the rest.

 

Actually, I would have been fine if I kept my foot on the throttle, but the guy in front of me touched his brakes when he drove through the antifreeze, and I lifted throttle, and the car just went around instantly. I should have held constant throttle and steered around the outside of the guy in front of me.

But, if I had AYC, I expect it would have prevented the spin, at least if it works as I think it does, by selectively apply the brakes to one or more wheels when it senses the car rotating.

 

i wanna marry her =]

 

In my opinion as far as the whole electronic assistance thing, thats why I said US spec Evo. The ACD doesnt play that much of a role unless you push the "button". So the diff split should be the same between both the VI and the IX. The key is that AYC. I think pound for pound it would be just a good match. But as matticc said you can't go wrong with either one.

 

The AYC doesn't apply brakes ever. It transfers the power to either side of car but does this without brakes. You are confusing this to for example Honda CR-V type differential "lock" which only brakes the spinning wheel in order to get power to otherside. We have the real thing in Evos.

 

This is exactly what i tried to say with my very basic english-skills...
I don't count myself into this elite-group which can bring an Evo to it's full potential/limits - but i happen to know a lot people who can (for example on the Nurburgring).
But i think the difference between the VI and IX is feelable even for an average driver if he goes faster on a track, the IX simply feels "heavier" than the old VI.
Shame that my VI has been wrecked by this fu&$§% van... i really miss my little black monster...

 

I miss it to...I think I saw it at the Ring once. May she rest in peace