i take that back, better gearbox. Something that actually likes to go into second gear. and something that doesnt make more noise than an 18wheeler when decelerating.

Coming from a WRX, the tranny and clutch on the WRX actually felt better than the evo. You could slip the clutch to launch, and the tranny was actually quiet!

 

No press release. Was at a training session, on upcoming products.

The 2004 Evolution will be released on Jan '04, but you won't see any at dealerships until Feb.

 

1) Not going to happen on the Evo.

2) Never going to happen on the Evo, or any car under $150,000.

3) Not next year.

 

1. Why?

2. My 1991 MR2 Turbo has complete paneling back to the engine and paneling directing air up to cool the motor and the vents draw the heat out. And The Infiniti G35 has it as an option. Many cars have a lot of under body aero panel work. Including the Evo for the first 2 feet on the front end.

3. Why and When?

Most car designers have long realized the benefits of improved CAFE mileage with lower drag coefficients and still retaining the ability to generate downforce with undertray aero.

Most all cars now have little diffusers in front of the front wheels. Plastic is one of the easiest things mold and if they can produce 3mm thick panels for $150 and sell tham as a $1000 option, it's pretty financially irresponsible not too. The suits just need to know that potential buyers are interested in such things.

 

Strong rumors suggest that Evo 8.5 with more agressive front end will be debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show this year.

Even if it's just for the Japanese market, it'd be nice to see.

 

I keep wondering why so many people on this board (current Evo owners, mostly) would be upset if they DID offer all those changes on next years Evo. i.e. 6sp, AYC, ACD, etc. I mean, that's just called progress. Its the whole point of having a car called an Evolution for pete's sake. Hell, have any of you ever bought a computer? New stuff seems to come out on a weekly basis.

Ford didn't give '02 Cobra owners factory certified superchargers.

Chevy doesn't offer Z06 upgrade packages to previous C5 people.

So why would Mitsubishi necessarily owe anybody anything?

Then people say, well the cars aren't selling well, if they aren't, why wouldn't they change something to attract newer buyers next year who want more gadgetry?

I don't care if the car remains the same for a year, or if it did morph into a Sti style gadget monster. I just don't think it will necessarily create more demand for a car that already dominates its segment (if there is one) with the hardware it already has, which is quite suffecient.

 

I think you took my post the wrong way. I don't want the Evo 8 to turn out to be a one year run that is hard to find parts for. Remember the 95-96 Eclipse? How easy is it to find a new front bumper or headlight assembly for that car? There are tons of parts for the 97, 98, and 99.....but not the 95 and 96. They cahnged the car pretty much as soon as it came off the drawing board. Now, give the evo more power? Cool. Give it better control? Cool. Give it more features? Cool. Give it new redesigned headlights that are based not on functionality, but simply on a more "hip" look? Stupid.

Josh

 

Nah. Then I wasn't directing that at you in particular. It's just that Mitsus product planners are probably pulling their hair out reading this forum, or maybe they're perfectly calm, Who knows?

On one hand they deliver a car that wows they automotive journalists, beats the supposedly superior STi in every comparo, but people still want more, for the same money, while others, who may or may not evern really be in the market for the car, swear up and down they want all these gadgets, or else the will look elsewhere, or that they want it in a colt body, or a 2.4L or this or that. But right now the car does very well, so they aren't going to change it, and I'm fine with that too.

As far as bodykits, I mean really, most people here are concerned with performance, I haven't seen anyone complain if they can't get a kit for their Evo if they change the lights. And popping new lights into an old 2G isn't that big a deal if your already spending 1-3G's restyling your car. The same would probably hold true here.

 

I agree with you. I hate body kits in the first place. But how about this scenario. Say you are involved in a minor traffic accident and it cracks your headlight. Maybe you hit a dog or something and it is your fault. You decide you would rather pay for it yourself instead of turning it in to insurance. If the current headlights were only on the Evo for one year or so, My guess is that they are going to be about twice as much for a replacement than if they were on the car for about 4 to 6 years. Look at other cars with sealed beams. The Civic headlamps can be bought for about $70 each if you shop around, where as the more rare cars will be at least 500 each or more (I can't beleive that I just compared the Evo to a Civic)......see where I am going with this? I would just rtather have a car that was essentially the same for a few years so that the aftermarket can catch up and offer parts that would be suitable replacements. It solves the whole "hard parts" issue. Another example: Find me a 1G DSM flip up headlamp assembly. While you are looking for it, find me a 1G DSM door. The door was the same for 4 years, where as the headlamps changed after 2 years. The parts that will be available moreover will be the ones that were on the car for the longer period of time. I think we are arguing the same point, but we are still butting heads on this issue. Anyway, here is what I want my car to do:

Go fast, turn tight, remain dependable. Make it faster and I will be happy, but for the most part, that is what the aftermarket is for. I wouldn't get upset if they were to give me AYC in the 2004 for the same price that I paid for my 2003 model, but I won't be begging or griping for it. As for the 6 speed tranny, I would rather have the 5 speed. 6 gears just seems like too much shifting to keep the RPMs up in the turns. Give me 5 and I'll be ok. I like having a halfway useful 1st gear, anyway. Hell, it's late at night again. I need to sleep.

Josh

 

Interesting point. I could see how that would be a problem and a big hassle on a massed produced car, but you kind of have to expect that when dealing with a limited production vehicle like an Evolution, right? In fact it might even be something that makes each particular car that unique or that desirable, or even (dare I say it) collectable. Kinda like when you here your dad and uncle talk about their old cars. Or if they see something old go by and you hear "Hey! That was a '56 Suchnsuch." "No its a '57, the '56 has the double lights not the whatever..."

This country seems to like things to stay the same. 'Vettes, Vipers, Camaro Mustang, usually have long model runs. Whears the Japanese like the newest latest and greatest almost every year. A little thing like a headlight change may be big deal to us, but inconsequential elsewhere. Unless it is something they don't like such as the Integra and Impreza.

As far as pop ups go, there just expensive no matter how you slice it, and getting rid of them is something most manufactureres did anyway. Whether you have a Mitsubishi, a Pontiac, or an old Honda Accord, MR2, pop ups are gonna suck sooner or later no matter what.

Still, I think buying a nice set of aftermarket projector beams, rumaging through a salvage yard, or sucking it up and buying OEM through a dealer is a small price to pay to have a unique car. Then all you might need is CF hood and a Bomex bumper to "repair" your car. Even with an Evo, you don't have to worry about a complete redo for 3 years or so.

 

what of the rumors that several new colors (2 is what I heard) will be introduced in 2004? I have seen this in several places.

 

It would be great if offered the car in the charcoal color.

 

What if they offered it in carbon fiber color? That is the latest trend here. Everyone gets big sheets of carbon fiber print stickers and they cover the entire fenders, hood, hell, I've even seen the stock spoilers covered in the horrid ****. I just hate rice. Hey, I wonder if the STi will ever come in a Tommi Makinen Edition........I don't know why I just thought of that, but what would you guys think?

Hehe.

 

New colors are always nice. I'm still doing my rain like dance to bring my SMT, CC, and FUAP.

 

i want medium purple mica -- check the JDM GSRs section of the registry. God that color is ****ing niiice.