For regular urban driving you should get between 130-150miles per tank of gas (assuming you run 0.8-1 bar of boost). My worst ever was 65 miles on a full tank, but that was on the track and running higher boost level (1.2-1.3bar). All this is based of a TME which has a slightly bigger tank than a VII.

Ride on stock suspension is fine. In fact, most people who have an Evo go to a stiffer suspension.

The car is great as a daily driver, but if you drive long distances, it may make sense to do it in another car. Remember also that these cars have very short oil change intervals (3500 miles).

 

Broeil, you said it might come with softer suspension like on the GTA (I didn't even know they changed it for the GTA). All I have to say is that if they did that then I'm pretty sure that everyone and thier mother will be complaning. Look at the less then awesome sales of the GTA. I understand that some people wont be able to deal with a semi-race car everyday; so then dont buy it. Yes I agree that the auto should come with softer suspension because the people who buy the auto obviously aren't the hardcore enthusiests. But please don't change anything that doesn't need changing.

"If it aint broken, DONT FIX IT"

 

Doesnt the Evo 8 come with an enlarged gas tank??

 

It would be nice to have that 6th gear as an overdrive. From what I've read in the British magazines the EVO's have been pretty thirsty but then again, if you're working for a magazine and have a gascard, I wouldn't be driving an EVO to see how good gasmileage I could get! BTW, I don't know the rules for group N, can they change gearing? After all, that's why the car was built commercially in the first place.

 

This is mainly speculation on my part, going on what information that I do know, but MMC may be planning to create two "Evolutions" for the States for this particular reason.

One would be a slightly de-tuned version, specced to compete with the WRX not only in price, but in performance and liveability. A version of the Evo that may not be the outright beast that everybody here is lusting for, but a sports sedan that can provide a reasonable performance/ride/price compromise, and get enough gas mileage to avoid the gas guzzler tax and have a decent cruising range. High-maintenance systems may be dropped for the sake of reliability - performance is one thing, being able to drive like, well, an American is another.

This would be the version for people that only buy one car and need it to do a multitude of tasks - why else buy a 4-door sports sedan?

And then provide the full-blown, higher priced and highest specced ralliart version for the hardcore, monied enthusiasts. Most of them would probably own at least 1 or more other vehicles, and this would be their weekend warrior chariot, or track car, or rally car.

It makes sense to me, at least...

Cheers,

Paul Hansen

 

Shirokuma, what you said really makes sense. I think Mitsubishi would want some of the WRX pie in the market as well.

I see two markets here. The first one will be the one with Subaru WRX, Protege MP3, and the uprated version of Mitsubishi Lancer in it. The second market will be the one with Nissan 350Z, Subaru STi and Lancer Evolution. I also hear a rumor of Nissan Skyline will come to US shores as Infinity R45.

MMC will for sure release a car that will be a rival to Subaru WRX...as well as another one that will rival the upcoming STi. It does not makes sense for Mitsubishi to cover both market with one single car. However, the slightly detuned version might not be called as Evolution. It might be the US Lancer with upgraded OZ package (kinda like Protege MP3).

 

I agree that there will be two versions of the Evo in the US, but I believe the less powerful version will be made to compete with the FWD cars like the Focus SVT, Civic SI, MazdaSpeed Protege, etc... This is just my opinion.

BTW Paul, are you holding back any "real" Evo 8 info you have?

 

Ouch - yes and no.

My source of MMC information is in direct conflict with my existence as Senior Editor (well, owner) of apexJapan.com. I very probably will know exactly what the Evo 8 looks like down to the smallest detail before most other people, but I cannot and will not say until somebody else gets the information.

The information I pass on to you guys usually comes from Anthony Winston's communications with Ralliart - he is the technical editor/test driver for apexjapan, and he's Hooked Up over here in JDM-land. Unfortunately, we may be losing him soon to another organization that has figured that out(and can pay him...). The buggers don't want him for automotive news, though, so I may be able to work something out.

Some of my *speculation* may come from, um, other sources. But it is just speculation, right, so there's no truth in it, and I'm probably just making it all up.

Cheers,

Paul Hansen

 

I see.

I was just wondering if the US Evo 8 specs have already been finalized? I've heard, from snelson, that according to the spec sheet the EU type approved version of the VIII has 236 ps, ACD, "super" AYC, front Recaro semi-bucket seats (same as NAS Evo VIII), and small rear wing. I take it that the NAS means North American Specification thus it appears that some or all of the US specs are finalized. Just curious.

Anyways, thanks for keeping us updated.

 

Both Autocar/EVO and Autoexpress have mentioned a lower spec EVO to be released next year.
Their hp numbers are all over the place though, from 180hp to 230hp. They also make little mention on what equipment to expect, but most likely no AYC/ACD and no Brembos.
Also, for 2004 the Lancer will get a cosmetic update that will align it with the rest of styling (read "Pontiac")
This may explain some of the ambiguity regarding the yellow EVO seen at the dealer show and the spy pics...

 

The Press conference in LV have stated though that the US Evolution will not have less than 250 hp. But in Europe, it could be, the UK Version of Subaru WRX for instance only have 217 bhp compared to US' 227 bhp.

 

Any idea if they are being released simultaneously or if they are being released seperatly which will be coming first?

 

Judging from Autoexpress regarding UK release and Detnews for U.S. release, they will be launched seperately.
The 'real' EVO in January and the turbo Lancer in Fall '03 for the U.S.
The U.K. market will see the turbo Lancer (hopefully not just a carryover version of the 1.8L GDI turbo unit sold in JDM) first, then the EVO VIII.

 

At least the 'real' one comes first

 

That number there is exactly the same as the JDM turbo Airtrek. Look towards it for power/torque figures and drivetrain data.

Cheers,

Paul Hansen