Japan is done with the Evo 9!

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Dec 28, 2006 | 01:39 AM

#16

GPTourer

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From: Birmingham, AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristar Racing

So I guess your statement should read they made 1500 Evo IXs for Japan. Im sorry, but I just dont get why your passion now is to find every thread on EvoM and discount the fact there is a 2007 Evo in Japan (even going as far as to request the window sticker of an Aussie Evo to prove he doesnt actually know the model year of his own car). I guess everyone needs a purpose.

That's the way this guy operates.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakeg97

How is it then possible that the 2007 Lotis Elise will be sold in the US when it does not have side airbags?

It was my understanding that the Elise/Exige snuck in to this country through some loophole as a limited edition because they only made like 1500 or so. Maybe thats how they did it in Japan and aren't oficially offering it for sale on their website.

Dec 28, 2006 | 12:34 PM

#17

Tristar

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Quote:

Originally Posted by GPTourer

That's the way this guy operates.

It was my understanding that the Elise/Exige snuck in to this country through some loophole as a limited edition because they only made like 1500 or so. Maybe thats how they did it in Japan and aren't oficially offering it for sale on their website.

Yea, that link I had in my last post touches on the way Lotus got around not even having bumpers, nevermind side impact airbags...

Dec 28, 2006 | 05:32 PM

#18

imapimp

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I know I am new here but I have been to a few Mitsu dealers in WI/IL and have been told that Mitsubishi supposedly ended production of the EVO IX for the USA due to that airbag law in end of Aug.

But then again you have to take any info you get from a salesperson a little different cuz they are trying to make a sale. So if you think the car wont be available pushes you to buy.

Dec 29, 2006 | 12:37 PM

#19

Jakeg97

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristar Racing

First off, why didnt the article say it was a FQ360? Wouldnt that have to be tested in Europe, since MM of Japan has no real control over those cars? (They are modified in Europe) They tested that car in Japan. Something doesnt mesh here. Oh well, time will tell.

The FQ360 is just the name that the UK adds to their stock of imported Evolution IX MR (GSR/RS) that went on sale Aug 29, 2006 in Japan.

Which leads me to believe that the Edmunds article might have tested an Evo from the batch of Evolution 9 MRs that were due to be sold in the UK, in 2007, as the rebadged FQ360.

The 1500 Evos that have all been sold, might just possibly be the Evo 9 MR (GSR/RS) released in Aug 06.

Dec 29, 2006 | 12:40 PM

#20

Jakeg97

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristar Racing

The reason the Elise can be sold is the same reason it was able to be sold in the past few years. Lotus got concessions because of low sales volume. The Elise does not meet bumper requirements of even 2 years ago, hell it doesnt even have true bumpers. I dont know the full details of the loopholes Lotus went through or the full legalization process, but I agree its odd that it does not have to meet the standards others do.

I think Lotus's exempt status for bumpers and such runs out this year though. My assumption is the Europa will then be legalized with the safety features that will allow it to be on US roads and sent over (a bit bigger of a car, more can be added).

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPTourer

Thanks for the responses

Dec 29, 2006 | 05:32 PM

#21

Arithmetic

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakeg97

Yeah , thats what he said. I thought the number was quite low 2, but then again, the market for the Evo in Japan is much different then it is here.

... because the market for the evo isn't as big as it is here in the states. They have evey model of it, and we just got the VIII and now the IX, sad to say, japan is over the Evo or was really never big on the Evo. It's really been about the GT-R, S15 and Supra. Hell, subaru and the wrx branded impreza are more popular than the Evo.

Dec 29, 2006 | 06:03 PM

#22

GPTourer

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From: Birmingham, AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arithmetic

sad to say, japan is over the Evo or was really never big on the Evo. It's really been about the GT-R, S15 and Supra. Hell, subaru and the wrx branded impreza are more popular than the Evo.

Are you serious? I would say the GT-R and S1X are more popular in Japan, but definitely not the Supra. I think the WRX and STi outnumber the Evo only becoause there is no Mitsubishi WRX equivalent.

Last edited by GPTourer; Jan 1, 2007 at 01:52 PM.