May MT EVO article (U.S. EVO VIII?)
Mar 31, 2002, 02:15 AM
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May MT EVO article (U.S. EVO VIII?)
For those who haven't read it yet, here's the newest article by Motor Trend about the EVO VII.
FIRST TEST '02 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII
Yup-it's fast
Mitsubishi's announcement that the EVO VII is heading for America was huge news for enthusiast drivers (MT March '01). It had been rumored and predicted for some time, but wasn't a done deal until mid-December. The main business-case hurdle was the cost to reconfigure the car's fascia-mounted intercooler so the front end would pass crash test. Customer demand-and above-quota Subaru WRX sales-convinced Mitsu's U.S. arm to make it so.
To get a feel for what to expect, we put the spurs to a Euro-spec, left-hand-drive EVOmonster. And it's the real deal: edgy, supremely capable, seriously quick, and just a little manic in the way it springs to life. Power: not much down low, but meaningful boost shows up at around 2500 rpm. From 4000 to 7000, it puts pressure on your retinas. Steering: perhaps the quickest we've ever sampled in a production car. Handling: superbly neutral, and, as long as the throttle is used to take advantage of the AWD, it self-corrects out of an oversteer situation. Brakes: They're Brembos, and you can't fool or fade 'em. Recaro seats: super grippy. Ride: lousy. Quite: anything but.
This isn't a watered-down boy-racer; it's a rally car that's been streetified. We suspect Mitsu might soften the ride a bit for our market, and we're told the U.S. version (to be called the Evolution VIII) will have something closer to 250 hp-all for just under $30,000. It, and the afore-mentioned WRX, represents a truly exciting breed of performance car. Bring it on. -M.S.
Price: $35,000 (Euro spec, est, at current exchange)
Vehicle layout: Front engine AWD, 4-door, 5-pass.
Engine: 2.0L/276-hp turbo I-4, DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
On sale in U.S.: Spring 2003
0-60 mph, sec: 4.3
600-ft slalom, mph: 70.9
Braking, 60-0 mph, ft: 113
FIRST TEST '02 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII
Yup-it's fast
Mitsubishi's announcement that the EVO VII is heading for America was huge news for enthusiast drivers (MT March '01). It had been rumored and predicted for some time, but wasn't a done deal until mid-December. The main business-case hurdle was the cost to reconfigure the car's fascia-mounted intercooler so the front end would pass crash test. Customer demand-and above-quota Subaru WRX sales-convinced Mitsu's U.S. arm to make it so.
To get a feel for what to expect, we put the spurs to a Euro-spec, left-hand-drive EVOmonster. And it's the real deal: edgy, supremely capable, seriously quick, and just a little manic in the way it springs to life. Power: not much down low, but meaningful boost shows up at around 2500 rpm. From 4000 to 7000, it puts pressure on your retinas. Steering: perhaps the quickest we've ever sampled in a production car. Handling: superbly neutral, and, as long as the throttle is used to take advantage of the AWD, it self-corrects out of an oversteer situation. Brakes: They're Brembos, and you can't fool or fade 'em. Recaro seats: super grippy. Ride: lousy. Quite: anything but.
This isn't a watered-down boy-racer; it's a rally car that's been streetified. We suspect Mitsu might soften the ride a bit for our market, and we're told the U.S. version (to be called the Evolution VIII) will have something closer to 250 hp-all for just under $30,000. It, and the afore-mentioned WRX, represents a truly exciting breed of performance car. Bring it on. -M.S.
Price: $35,000 (Euro spec, est, at current exchange)
Vehicle layout: Front engine AWD, 4-door, 5-pass.
Engine: 2.0L/276-hp turbo I-4, DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
On sale in U.S.: Spring 2003
0-60 mph, sec: 4.3
600-ft slalom, mph: 70.9
Braking, 60-0 mph, ft: 113
Last edited by wontbslow; Mar 31, 2002 at 10:14 AM.
Mar 31, 2002, 05:31 AM
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Originally posted by Hooby
To MotorTrend: Please stop reporting #'s when you don't know jack ****
To MotorTrend: Please stop reporting #'s when you don't know jack ****
Who told them that it would be the Evolution VIII? A little birdy?
Apr 4, 2002, 09:04 PM
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Well...I was going to start another topic about this. But if you look at the current Automobile, it has a the concept Evo VIII pic in it. And then...through my superb skills in deduction, the current Galant and Diamante have a similar front fascia to the Evo VIII.
The eclipse and montero however do not share this attribute. Moving on, Galant and Diamante are both 4 door sedans, so will the Evo VIII be. The Evo VIII has been rumored to have probabably a 6 speed tranny and some more modifications since its a Group N car (I believe).
Anywho either we will get the Evo VII modelled to look like the Evo VIII or we might get the Evo VIII.
The eclipse and montero however do not share this attribute. Moving on, Galant and Diamante are both 4 door sedans, so will the Evo VIII be. The Evo VIII has been rumored to have probabably a 6 speed tranny and some more modifications since its a Group N car (I believe).
Anywho either we will get the Evo VII modelled to look like the Evo VIII or we might get the Evo VIII.
Apr 4, 2002, 09:21 PM
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Originally posted by Infinity
The Evo VIII has been rumored to have probabably a 6 speed tranny and some more modifications since its a Group N car (I believe).
The Evo VIII has been rumored to have probabably a 6 speed tranny and some more modifications since its a Group N car (I believe).
Apr 4, 2002, 09:28 PM
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Ive been hearing that the EVO VIII will be what we are getting and that the Diff will be more like the EVO VI than not. Meaning a mech diff instead of the AVC (??). Im just telling you what I hear. And I get this info NOT from a dealer of any kind.
Apr 4, 2002, 09:38 PM
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The last bit of info I got from my 
contact was this:
"Hello Andrew, Im sorry but at this time I do not have any info on pricing. The thing I know for sure is that this car will now be called the Evo. 8.
If I get anything good in, I will let you know."
Take it for what it is...
contact was this:"Hello Andrew, Im sorry but at this time I do not have any info on pricing. The thing I know for sure is that this car will now be called the Evo. 8.
If I get anything good in, I will let you know."
Take it for what it is...
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Apr 5, 2002, 08:01 AM
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I was reading Automobile mag and it said some crap about that since its now group n car, it will have some mods that WRC will alloy. It was really brief, but the concept pic looked a lot like what I think what the US Spec Evo will look like. It's basically like the Evo 7, but the small side scoop on the corner is removed and the front is a bit more aggressive, still not as aggressive as Evo 6, but I like the Evo 8 look too.
