Here is info I recieved:

"The actual embargo date on official information stands at January 5th, so no truth to information going public in two weeks. The beast will begin to be delivered to dealers at the end of February, so consider it more of a March 2003 vehicle. I can tell you that the image of the black Evo, such as the one that appeared in R&T is incorrect. At the moment, there are plans only to bring one specification of Evo to the United States. The US version will be 265-plus horsepower, include the Brembos, an FIC and still sell for under 30K. I cannot comment on U.S. drivetrain specifics at this time, but you seem pretty dialed into the Japanese version of the vehicle. At any rate, the US Evo will be a fast, responsive car that upholds the Evolution and represents it well in this new market. It will still provide the basis for a very competent race car. "

According to his comments I don't think the US version will have ayc/acd. Still trying to verify info on the tranny.

 

Ok. I just verified it. The US Evo WILL NOT have a 6-speed. It will use the same tranny as the Evo VII. It will also not have ayc/acd. This is all verfied by a person in Mitsubishi that knows all the specs. He released what he could to help assist in my racing program.

265-270hp, fmic, brembos, under 30k.
Also, the Vegas pictures ARE accurate.

 

Aww Mann No Ayc/Acd Damn
Thanks Fo The Update Broeli
Keep'em Comin

 

if it has the same trans as the VII won't that make at least the ACD an ease swap? what kind of differential will they have then, simply open on both ends?

 

Ok. More info. It WILL have Recaros. He's not sure which ones...just knows..Recaro of some sort.
Also, here is info reference production #'s/dealer allotment:
"Cannot comment on the wing or wings available.
Don't count on every dealer getting one. Don't pay deposits until you can confirm that an Evo is on the way to the dealership. Not all dealers will be treated equally. There are standards they must meet to be able to sell this car, particularly to the more rigorous service issues. There are only 4000-6000 of them coming here"

Mr. Gagnon is now saying 6000 for the US and none for Canada until new redesign late '03:

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...028#post114028

 

Are you sure? If your sure Mitusbishi has decided to use the 5speed without AYC/ACD is a huge mistake. I was thinking a revised more dependable version on the 8. Sadly to say mitsubishi has falled short against Subaru "again". STI is coming in May +/- 3months with a 6-speed and similar setup. Now subaru has a +1pt on the trans since the subaru 6sp is bullet proof even after mods.

However, i'm glad to hear about the seats, FMIC, and Brembos. Are your sources reliable? Would ACD/AYC be optional. I dont' mind spending 33K + 1k for gas guzzler tax. Just give us the full blown. ACD/AYC is what makes the car rock on the race course and now it's comparable to the STI on the road .

broeli, are you saying not all dealership will have one avalable? I'm ordering one from Chicago and the first one so I hope that'll increase my probability. I hope your just bs. sing about everything because Mitsubishi claim to bring everything except for what cannot pass U.S. laws. Anyways, as long as JDM get the same thing we have nothing to worry about and maybe they improve the awd setup?

 

Broeli, doesn't the conflicting info you're being given cause you to pause and wonder who actually KNOWS what? One person says the Vegas pictures are accurate, the other says they're not. I'm not disputing anything you've posted, just questioning the matter-of-fact nature the info is being presented in.

IMO, the AWD system is what makes the Evo special. A viscous center differential and a pair of mechanical LSDs - no thanks, I can get that on numerous other cars. Brembo brakes and Recaro seats, but they're not what makes the car fast (although stopping is nice).

 

I have never said the Vegas pics were inaccurate. Please show me where I said that..if I did it was on accident.
Also, I've never got conflicting info. This source is just telling me a little more to help me get a head start in my race program. So I'll know what I need to swap out, etc. I have posted things that I THOUGHT it would have but never did I say it would for sure. It turns out some of my info such as a revised ayc/acd, and other drivetrain stuff is purely for the J-spec Evo. I am still trying to confirm details on the ayc/acd. I am trying to see if it is a service/maintenence issue or for a bigger fuel tank. We all know the ayc/acd is commonly taken off in pure race Evo's so NO it's not needed to be a world class handler.
BTW, yes I was told not all dealerships are gauranteed an Evo. They have to meet service/quality standards they are setting for the Evo. He told me DON'T give my dealer a deposit yet because they may not get even ONE! They will simply just give more to the dealers that are up to the service std.

 

Didn't aslo say at the Vegas meeting that the car would do 0-60 in under 5 sec and compete with Porsches and such? There's no way that car you speak of can do that unless it is 300+ HP. If this really is what they're bringing to the US, then what makes it better than the STi, considering the STi will have the much needed facelift (maybe)? With the specs you speak of, it better be like less than $27K. Anyways, thanks for the update broeli.

 

yada yada....

No offense, but I'll wait for a press release.

As far as the Evo coming short of the STI....the only real short-coming I see is the 6-speed.

Mitsu. will be making sure that it'll be able to compete with the STI...there's no questioning that.

Hooby

 

I really don't want to speculate on price. I didn't ask him what the price would be..he just told me the usual "under 30k". I was told months ago the "target price" would be 28,600. That may not be the price now though.
I think 0-60 in or around 5 may still be possible with lighter weight and a good clutch. It will only have 6-10hp less than the Evo VII but will be a tad lighter (especially without the ayc/acd).

 

So whats the problem? the evo VII does the quarter in 13.4 it can probably do alittle better......the car is going to be fast...fast for what it is. Who cares about 0-60 as long as its around 5 seconds, its what matters after that mark.

 

broeli, ask him if the car is being built/modified by Ralliart?

2 ideas I have: Buy the Evo and don't modify it, in anticipation for the full blown JDM model a year later OR give a Evolution Imports a call.

Of course that's assuming all the info you posted is indeed correct...

 

or just buy the car and modify it?


AYC/ACD is not that life threatening and i can do without it. You really do not need it, but to each his own.

 

Im with you on that one.