BMW and the latest S2000. I'm sure there are others too.

 

This an interesting website that may give some insight into the new suspension of the new X. I think this is too advanced for the X, but it's the nearest technology I've found yet. www.creuat.com

 

From someone who owns and drives a car with nearly 600 hp (albeit rwd) and no electronic gadgetry keeping things in check, I'd kill for a bit of an electronic safety net now and again! My feeling is that it's going to get a whole lot more expensive to reach those high hp levels with the X however. None the less, I'm pretty excited about the car.

 

The gentlemen's agreement has been out the window for years. No idea why SCC brings this up. Maybe Japan only...just look at the 3000GT, Supra MKIV, etc...they all have well over 276hp. As does the FQ series in GB, sanctioned by Mitsu. For a while I really believed the car would be about $40K. But it'd almost be suicide for the car (and brand) if it did come in that high. I'm thinking mid-30's, where the MR and SSL sits now with no "stripper" models. Fully loaded will be closer to $40K but still under. If Mazda can produce the Mazdaspeed6 loaded for under $30K, Mitsu can get us the X for well under $40.

 

You are right. I too would welcome more technology to help keep things under control. While I realize that new things are not always better and new things tend to have glitches that need ironing out, I do welcome new technological advances in cars as well as in other things. I'm amused reading all the anti technology rants in this thread. If I did not know better, I'd say most of these guys were 80~90 year old luddites

I'd say most of the guys railing against the paddle shifter tranny and the steering/traction controls, take for absolute granted the computer controlled electronic fuel injection and ignition. Likewise all the sophisticated suspension/brakes/tires/wheels and other parts of todays cars. I still remember carburetors, mechanical fuel pumps, mechanical advance ignition, drum brakes, bias belted tires (the best wearing of those would last less than the A046 Advans), push rods, 2 valves per cilinder... Those engines had net output of .03/cc FWHP compared with the new stock EVO's output of .14/cc FWHP Never mind the incredible brakes, and handling....

My point is that all those things that make our cars so great were opposed in their begining just as the newest technology is being opposed now . I think the computer controlled steering, the traction control, etc. will eventually become indispensable things in all cars and nobody would dream of giving up the safety and advantage of all these things. Personally, I'm excited about the new EVO and I expect it will be better than the current model(s). I can't wait to see it in the flesh (so to speak)

 

Mr Stock
I totally agree with you, I too also have been looking at the Mazda speed 6 and I am seriously looking at this car, this car comes with 6 speed gearbox, AWD leather seats (GT model) HID's, Auto climate, yada yada, yeah it isn't an Evo but $37,000 is a lot of money for just a few extra horses etc.
I have even been looking at the STI for the Money also, not really a big fan of the Engine layout on the STI, lot of work just to change the spark plugs, may as well take it back to the dealer get their mechanics to do it and well frankly I don't trust the mechanics.
So I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Love the Evo, don't get me wrong, if I had the funds available I would get one today, but when I have to finance a vehicle and make payments on it for the next 60 months, and the payments on an MR come out to approx $650 not including the insurance etc, that is a lot of my hard earned cash on a car that I am only going to use on the weekends, can't justify it I am afraid.
Now if the Evo 10 includes, cruise, S-AWC, Auto climate, SMG style gearbox and other stuff as mentioned for $38,000 then maybe I'll stretch that far, but as soon as it is $40,000 or over then I can't do it.
My wages clearly don't go up enough every pay raise to be able to buy a $40,000 car, the cost of everything is going beyond my reach, as the years progress.

 

Some of the info regarding appealing to more upscale buyers I think may be misconstrued. You average buyer who will spend 40+k for a car, even a performance car will look to a 330xi, IS350, M3 or RS (they will want that luxo name). Not a Mitsubishi. By just changing the body it will already appeal to other buyers (like me) who would not have considered it due to the Boy Racer look. They do need to be careful on the bells and whistles so that the X doesn’t cost anymore than the current IX. 40k Evos will not sell more than the 13k/yr world wide and they need to do alot better.

Mitsu may also go the way of Subaru and offer an Impreza, WRX, and STi version. Right now its econo Lancer and top end Evo with nothing in between.

We may also see it in two trims the X and the sportback. More appeal with minimal change to components decreases cost of investment. Look at both side by side and a large portion of the sheet metal is identical and they could use the same mechanicals. Think of the 300C, Charger and Magnum; same exact platform and components but different body styles.

 

Glad I have my 05' RS

 

You are in unique company, Mitsu sold maybe what 500 RS's in the US?

 

I like it....maybe will wait till it comes out to buy my first EVO

 

Mustangs aren't a luxo name, and you can bet they'll sell plenty of Cobras.

I think you'll find the EVO X rewriting the "rules". It will have the ingredients (cosmetics) that were missing previously, and will entice people who want a high performance car (which the 330xi is not) want a manual (which the IS350 doesn't offer), etc. Like the Car interview stated, and I've found to be true on forum after forum, is that people think of these more as EVOs than Mitsubishis.

If like you suggest Mitsu offers a range of models and body styles, I'd bet anything they'll sell more than 13K/yr in the U.S. alone... probably double that in Europe.

 

Even priced at 40k they will sell, maybe 10k in the US vs 5k, perhaps more. Some will always choose performance regardless of manufacturer. The Ford GT500 will sell well even if priced over 40k. Some of that is to do with huge power some also has to do with Mustang heritage and Shelby's influence.

Now think if you can get an Evo X with the styling and performance it will most likely have for 34k. Now you jump from say 10k to 25k in sales for the US. Reason being that 25-35k is acceptable for many buyers. Look at the cost of 350z, Rx-8, WRX Sti even the G35. Yes, yes only the Sti is truely comparable but your normal sportscar buyer doesn't see it that way. Once you get into the 40k range you shut alot of people out. Now you will say Evo's don't appeal to you average sportscar buyer. Currently that is correct, however that is exactly what Mitsubishi is trying to remedy with the X.

How do you bring people back to a brand. You give them exceptional value. That means a wonderfully perfoming Evo for modest price.

If they can do it they need to reduce the cost of the Evo not increase it.

 

ya those tv's luk dandy.

 

Does anyone have that interview by chance?

 

i think like the evo VIII, people will learn to tolerate the styling.