Hi guys, I just got my C/D issue today and what did I find? - YES YES YES a Lancer EVo VII article. I was so psyched and iyt actually had info in it. The freak I am, I will shut up right now and write up the whole article

C/D April 2002 issue:
"Evo a go-go: The worst-kept secret in the car business is now officially not a secret: Mitusbishi will import to the US a version of the racy Lancer Evolution VII beginning in the spring of 2003. The US version will offer about 250 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. That compares with 276 horses in Japanese-market cars, which use a different intercooler. The Evo comes with all-whell drive, a yaw-control system, and an active center differential. For an expected price of between $25,000 and $30,000, the Evo wears 17-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, and a racy body package. Mitsubishi has sat on its hands with this little screamer, and now, very shortly after it appears here, Subaru's Impreza WRX will show up a new STi version packed with about 50 more horsepower than the current WRX" (p.34).



Is it now official? Is this good news? Only 250 hp - Ralliart has to work on my car for sure!!!!!!!! I am friggin' excited:headbng2:

 

sounds good to me....but I think I'm still gonna wait fer something straight from Mitsu.

thanks fer the info.....is there anyway you can scan the article??

Hooby

 

Needless to say I am quite disappointed with that announcement... will someone plz tell me the purpose of tuning it down 26 hp less?

if that's the case they should also mark down the price of the car to mid 20k if Mitsu would like to ensure a full blown sellout at their local dealers.

All in all I'm glad that it's coming at least, however, that just makes me re-think my original idea of buying a bimmer. the 330ci is sooo sweet, especially the parts for it from Dinan...
:headbng2:

 

sorry i don't have a scanner here and I don't know if Kinko can scan that for me? Does anybody know?
But the mag is going to be at newsstands in a couple days - I am a subscriber so I get it a little earlier. So check it out, as I said, it is on page 34. If you have patience I believe they will post this info on the car and driver website in a week or so. But I typed the whole thing word for word and there isn't any more, except a picture of a yellow EVO VII Jap. SPec (because of the red Mitsu sign).
I would believe this is more or less "official" info, 'cause it comes from a reputable source and I doubt C/D would print crap, but I could be wrong.
Evo I AM COMING

 

here's my question to you guys:

The Evo series in the world are built by RalliArt, after getting only the chassis by Mitsubishi Motors.
Mitsubishi doesn't actually produce the Evos, they only market it.

So who's gonna produce the US-spec Evos ? RalliArt? Is there a RalliArt USA? Or is Mitsubishi creating the US Evo version ? Or is it RalliArt Japan that's responsible for this car as well ?

Call me pessimistic, but I still do believe that the car will come more detuned than what's written in C/D. Maybe different chassis? how about the bushings, suspension settings, and all the goodies that make the World Evo such an appealing car? Everyone is SO gun-ho about HP and TQ specs, but the other handling and stiffness components are equally as important, if not MORE important.

That has yet to be determined. I guess we'll only find out when the car gets over here.

K.

 

don't forget, motor trend also has an article in their latest issue saying the hp will be rated at 276 but is well over 300. they say the plan is to bring it over as is, with the only modification being a re-enforced front bumper to pass crash tests. motor trend is just as reliable as car and driver, and since both mags present conflicting info, we again will just have to wait until we hear from . IMO, i don't think can afford to have a detuned engine, especially when the sti will be 280hp in the U.S. and i doubt many people will buy this car if it doesnt come with the FMIC.

 

As C/D reported we are going to get the famous guts of the Evo - ACD, AYD, brembo's -> I guess the suspension would be the same on the American modles, maybe a little softer for our fat boys and the roads in Michigan
I don't know about the production either, but I always believed Mitsu was producing the car? Where did you find that someone else produces it? I know the WRC cars aren't produced by Mitsu becuase they are handmade.
I don't think we have Ralliart here YET, because Mitsu gave the official rally Evos to RMR which will manage the Rally efforts for Mitsu for the moment. Ralliart is in charge of the rally evos everywhere else, so I believe we will get a NA division here as soon as the Evo hits our shores.

 

you really believe Motor Trend? Just take a look at their Car of the Year and that's where MotorTrends reputation ends!!!!!!!!!!

 

Quote:

I don't know about the production either, but I always believed Mitsu was producing the car? Where did you find that someone else produces it? I know the WRC cars aren't produced by Mitsu becuase they are handmade.
I don't think we have Ralliart here YET, because Mitsu gave the official rally Evos to RMR which will manage the Rally efforts for Mitsu for the moment. Ralliart is in charge of the rally evos everywhere else, so I believe we will get a NA division here as soon as the Evo hits our shores.

If you go on any Mitsubishi dealer website in the world, they sell their various cars. They also have a RalliArt division (much the same as M for BMW or AMG for Mercedes) that sells the Evo. If you purchase the Evo overseas, you can only buy it through RalliArt, and not through Mitsubishi.

K.

 

Also, the Galant VR4 and FTO are made by RalliArt, along with the Evolution series.

But the regular Galant, for example, is made by Mitsubishi.

K.

 

But is Ralliart or producing it?

 

Quote:

But is Ralliart or producing it?

RalliArt produces the vehicles, Mitsu markets it.

Same way with BMW. My car is produced by the M division, but I bought it from BMW.

Oh yeah, and same goes for Subaru WRX STi which is produced by STi division of Subaru.

K.

 

Cool thanks for the info
Cleared the whole thing up!

 

Magazines have at least a two month lag time. Car and Driver is only reporting what has been said at the LA and Detroit Auto Shows with a little speculation thrown in. Nothing too exciting here.

If you wanna believe any magazine, then you should refer to Autoweek. But of course they haven't given any concrete info on the US spec Evo. No one will know until Mitsubishi says it themselves.

Also, I have an Automobile magazine dated April 2001 that says Mitsubishi plans to ship the Evo VII to the States for the 2003 model year. So what?

 

They have no real reason to detune anything other than the hp ratings.