All of you guys are forgetting about a couple of things here:

1.) The 2008 Lancer GTS already has a stiffer chassis than the Evo IX. Doesn't take much extrapolation to see where the Evo X is headed.

2.) From what I've read so far, the Evo X will have a wider track...

3.) is still building the Evo X to conform with WRC Group-N rules. Probably the main reason why it will remain a 2.0l and not become a 2.4l turbo engine

4.) As already mentioned, the Evo X will finally have all of the AWD features.

Lastly, the R32 and TT (not counting the new TT in Europe) are built on a fairly crappy chassis and are a looong ways from meeting anyting like WRC Group-N specs. I've driven TT's, and I'd be shocked if can f'up the Evo that badly.

For now I'm pretty stoked about the Evo X. It will definitely become my DD sometime in '08, with my VIII being dedicated to track use.

l8r)

 

Exactly my plans... Unless that Elise bug bites...

 

^^ RWD in Chicago is not an option for me.

l8r)

 

Yea, Id have my current daily driver (Integra) for that. The Evo would be traded for the Elise, and Id start praying that the now 12 year old Integra would last through the financing period for the Elise.

 

The new Evo X reminded me of the VR4..... Did that do well in the US market? Its strange the US market demands comfort, luxury, nice touchy feely stuff... and then doesn't buy it! ( I suspect because it gets price out of the market).

I will always love my Evo 6!

 

^^i hope it is true

 

mitsubishi is a business that wants a long term future. selling more EVO's as a halo car will assist in this goal.

for the purists it is not the hardcore car it once was. but as mentioned, alot of customers have given feedback about wanting more luxury items. its 2007, people expect more in their cars ie performance and comfort.

 

The R32, audi TT and the Skoda Fabia WRC06 (which exceed Group n specs) are all on the same chassis. Remember VAG is made up from: VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Lambo, Bently and Bugatti.

 

If you think the Skoda WRC car has a large amount of chassis similarities with the production car, your sadly mistaken. Your comparing road going production vehicles to a caged, well sorted WRC race car. Give me a break....

 

I know what VAG is made up of. I've owned many and Audi and my uncle works for Audi in Germany. FWIW you can't exceed Group-N specs and still compete. The spec exists to limit the cars in that class (hence Group-A and Group-N).

l8r)

 

I don't think so, group N is a lower spec from The full blown WRC Spec. (classified as "SP") The FIA introduced the WRC spec as an elite class of cars. Remember how Tommi couldn't compete with the WRC Spec cars with his group N spec Evo 7?


Take a look at the current standings, You have a group N leader and a WRC leader. Group N cars, according the the FIA must be homologated (2500.00 cars I believe, with all specifications the same as the road going version, the Group A cars can have a little more modification) while the WRC cars do not (classified as SP or super production option variant), they just need to be loosely based on production models (the C4 for instance has no road going Turbo AWD version.).The WRC cars have long travel suspension, different metal in the chassis, wider chassis and the engine is placed in the best position (usually moved rearward).

My point being however, that VAG does race in Group A, Group N and full WRC car. The current Mk. V golf's platform is as strong as the focus/C4/Imprezza. They just choose to make the road going cars soft (especially for north america!).

One last item, in the feb15th issue of autosport they quoted the mitsubishi rally team principal "The Group N evo X will be ready by april, after that work will start on the WRC car, we expect it to be ready by march 2008" Seems like a long time if the group n car and WRC cars are the same.

 

how can everyone make all these assumptions before a single test has been made..............

so what if it weighs more, so what if it has some nice features.............

what if with the extra weight and all the extras it still outpreforms all previous evos................?

I think that makes for an amazing car....

But you guys will still continue to bi_ch..............

 

To the question posed in this thread, the answer is a plain and simple NO.

That said, it is not the same car we are used to. I have spoken with some individuals that have driven the mules and prototypes, and I also feel that it is already pretty clear from what they have already showed us as to what this car is to be.

On one side it is the next in the series with a long list of improvements leaving ti with the performance and feel it should have. While I am many others may feel the 6 or 6.5 was the peak of the original spirit of the car, the X is still a very naturual progression. The reality is that they have to survive and to do so you have to appeal to a large enough audience to make sales or the car will go away all together.

So Mitsubishi had the difficult job of making this a true Evolution while also trying to broaden its appeal of a not so inexpensive vehicle. To do this, they had to add a level of refinement that it has previously not had. I for one think that they have made a nice balance without compromising or neglecting the ture performance side. If everything turns out as it looks, I would be happy to own the X

 

hope the evo x lives up to it's expectations

 

Mitsubishi is playing with fire. One step in the wrong direction = NO more Evo for me!!!!!!!