Evolution MR - Mitsubishi Racing [MERGED]
AGAIN! Mitsu doesnt care for U.S evo owners
http://www.lancerregister.com/news_evo2004.php
MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION VIII RANGE EXPANDED FOR 2004
New Lancer Evolution VIII MR to be launched in the UK in April 2004 £23,999 entry-level Evolution VIII to join the range in April 2004
Mitsubishi Motors is pleased to announce that it will launch the new Lancer Evolution VIII MR in April next year with pricing starting at £27,999 for the standard 280 model. Mitsubishi Motors UK will, of course, offer FQ-300 and FQ-330 models for those customers who still want that little bit extra under the bonnet.
This isn’t the only Evolution news. Joining the range in April will also be a new Evolution VIII, available for just £23,999 on the road. Called the Lancer Evolution VIII 260, this model will really take the fight to Subaru’s doorstep and is expected to help double Evolution sales during 2004.
Mitsubishi Evolution VIII Line-Up (on-sale from April 2004)
Evolution VIII 260 £23,999
Evolution VIII MR 280 £27,999
Evolution VIII MR FQ-300 £29,999
Evolution VIII MR FQ-330 TBA
LANCER EVOLUTION VIII MR
Making its debut at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show in October, this new model has been dubbed the Lancer Evolution VIII MR, taking the ‘MR’ (Mitsubishi Racing) designation traditionally reserved for Mitsubishi Motors high-performance models and used first on the Galant GTO.
The Lancer Evolution VIII MR boasts improved road holding by exploiting to maximum advantage the advanced features of Mitsubishi’s own 4WD control system and using the exclusively configured slick-response Bilstein suspension.
Forged alloy road wheels reduce the unsprung weight, while the centre of gravity has been lowered by the use of aluminium for the roof panel and weight reductions to the upper half of the body.
Detail improvements to the electronic 4WD system, to the ACD (Active Centre Differential) + Super AYC (Active Yaw Control) handling systems, together with the Evolution’s now lighter suspension achieve an unprecedented degree of quality in handling characteristics. The engine benefits from improved redline performance and has been tuned for competition use with emphasis on power output in the mid-to-high speed bands.
Exterior and interior trim elements enhancing Lancer Evolution VIII MR’s premium-value image include Recaro full-bucket front seats with mono-tone suede leather, carbon-finish dashboard and black headlamp reflectors.
LANCER EVOLUTION VIII 260
As with the MR, the Evolution VIII 260 makes use of Mitsubishi’s world-renowned 2-litre in-line 4-cylinder 16 valve DOHC turbocharged intercooled engine. For this model, the engine is mated to a 5-speed close-ratio manual gearbox and has been tuned to develop 263 bhp @ 6500 rpm, produce 262 lb.ft. of torque @ 3500rpm and has a top speed of 152mph.
The Evolution VIII 260 comes packed with equipment including Mitsubishi’s Super AYC, ABS and EBD, Recaro bucket front seats, 6-spoke 17” alloy wheels and optimised suspension. In fact, apart from the performance, the only exterior ‘visual’ difference between the current Evolution VIII and the new 260 will be the smaller rear spoiler. Priced at £23,999, the Evolution VIII 260 is expected to attract a raft of new customers who are looking for world-class performance in a vehicle under the £25K price threshold.
MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION VIII RANGE EXPANDED FOR 2004
New Lancer Evolution VIII MR to be launched in the UK in April 2004 £23,999 entry-level Evolution VIII to join the range in April 2004
Mitsubishi Motors is pleased to announce that it will launch the new Lancer Evolution VIII MR in April next year with pricing starting at £27,999 for the standard 280 model. Mitsubishi Motors UK will, of course, offer FQ-300 and FQ-330 models for those customers who still want that little bit extra under the bonnet.
This isn’t the only Evolution news. Joining the range in April will also be a new Evolution VIII, available for just £23,999 on the road. Called the Lancer Evolution VIII 260, this model will really take the fight to Subaru’s doorstep and is expected to help double Evolution sales during 2004.
Mitsubishi Evolution VIII Line-Up (on-sale from April 2004)
Evolution VIII 260 £23,999
Evolution VIII MR 280 £27,999
Evolution VIII MR FQ-300 £29,999
Evolution VIII MR FQ-330 TBA
LANCER EVOLUTION VIII MR
Making its debut at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show in October, this new model has been dubbed the Lancer Evolution VIII MR, taking the ‘MR’ (Mitsubishi Racing) designation traditionally reserved for Mitsubishi Motors high-performance models and used first on the Galant GTO.
The Lancer Evolution VIII MR boasts improved road holding by exploiting to maximum advantage the advanced features of Mitsubishi’s own 4WD control system and using the exclusively configured slick-response Bilstein suspension.
Forged alloy road wheels reduce the unsprung weight, while the centre of gravity has been lowered by the use of aluminium for the roof panel and weight reductions to the upper half of the body.
Detail improvements to the electronic 4WD system, to the ACD (Active Centre Differential) + Super AYC (Active Yaw Control) handling systems, together with the Evolution’s now lighter suspension achieve an unprecedented degree of quality in handling characteristics. The engine benefits from improved redline performance and has been tuned for competition use with emphasis on power output in the mid-to-high speed bands.
Exterior and interior trim elements enhancing Lancer Evolution VIII MR’s premium-value image include Recaro full-bucket front seats with mono-tone suede leather, carbon-finish dashboard and black headlamp reflectors.
LANCER EVOLUTION VIII 260
As with the MR, the Evolution VIII 260 makes use of Mitsubishi’s world-renowned 2-litre in-line 4-cylinder 16 valve DOHC turbocharged intercooled engine. For this model, the engine is mated to a 5-speed close-ratio manual gearbox and has been tuned to develop 263 bhp @ 6500 rpm, produce 262 lb.ft. of torque @ 3500rpm and has a top speed of 152mph.
The Evolution VIII 260 comes packed with equipment including Mitsubishi’s Super AYC, ABS and EBD, Recaro bucket front seats, 6-spoke 17” alloy wheels and optimised suspension. In fact, apart from the performance, the only exterior ‘visual’ difference between the current Evolution VIII and the new 260 will be the smaller rear spoiler. Priced at £23,999, the Evolution VIII 260 is expected to attract a raft of new customers who are looking for world-class performance in a vehicle under the £25K price threshold.
Last edited by Celm; Jan 12, 2004 at 10:13 AM.
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If they can't sell them now at $2000 under sticker, adding another $6,000 to $8,000 to the deal won't help. Even with the technical goodies, it doesn't have a chance.
If they want to sell them here, the should bring over a few hundred every year and see what happens. The people that want them, probably includes many of us, can go buy one and the market won't be flooded with cars the dealers can't sell.
If they want to sell them here, the should bring over a few hundred every year and see what happens. The people that want them, probably includes many of us, can go buy one and the market won't be flooded with cars the dealers can't sell.
This has alot tdo with US scumbag dealers cranking up the invoice on the new arrivals and then Mitsu USA not advertising for the people that didnt know the attributes of the EVO and then ROFL at a 30K 
with a 5K retainer on top of it. Greedy *** American import dealers did this. Now that the word is out that warrenty isnt worth a pound of manure the EVO is ***d its up to us to keep rebuying them as they dont have the impulse buy a 23K WRX/Forester XT / soon to be legacy has
with a 5K retainer on top of it. Greedy *** American import dealers did this. Now that the word is out that warrenty isnt worth a pound of manure the EVO is ***d its up to us to keep rebuying them as they dont have the impulse buy a 23K WRX/Forester XT / soon to be legacy has
The Evo will never be a sales success in the U.S. Market. The U.S. buyer is too image conscious to want a car that is as spartan as the Evo or looks like it does. the enthusiast market for the car is of a different demographic than the enthusiast market for the car in Europe as well. Mits sells MANY Evos to enthusiasts in the 30-50 year age range in Europe. Very few people in that demographic in the U.S. would ever consider this car. I've said this before. My prediction is that the Evo will not be for sale in thye U.S. after 2006.
Percy
Percy
yup...
I agree with the facts Percy said about the demographic being different.
What's interesting in general is that the European demographic that buy EVOs are the same people who infulence the American sports car market.
In short, the US is behind in performing technology. We keep rolling up all sorts of "new" performing sport cars that get a better rap because of their "drag" performance, versus they're streetable proweress.
I was that way, once before...more interesting in the 0 to 60 than the lateral gs. Now...to me is the best feeling ever to have the back of the Evo hanging out in controllable oversteer whilst modulating the go-go pedal to the finest degree possible for the maximum corner exit speed.
Later,
jcnel.
What's interesting in general is that the European demographic that buy EVOs are the same people who infulence the American sports car market.
In short, the US is behind in performing technology. We keep rolling up all sorts of "new" performing sport cars that get a better rap because of their "drag" performance, versus they're streetable proweress.
I was that way, once before...more interesting in the 0 to 60 than the lateral gs. Now...to me is the best feeling ever to have the back of the Evo hanging out in controllable oversteer whilst modulating the go-go pedal to the finest degree possible for the maximum corner exit speed.
Later,
jcnel.
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From: FL
Mitsubishi bases all their decisions on whether or not it is good for them financially, not what would be "the cool thing to do", or what a few enthusiasts in a certain market are begging for. Every major corporation operates this way. Just look at gm pulling the plug on the camaro/firebird after all those years because it was no longer profitable for them. Do you honestly think the executives over in Japan are saying, "The evo is not selling well in the US, we better take another financial risk by investing more time and money to bring them a better version."
MP5, dealer markup was a contributor, but the fact remains you can now pick these cars up for invoice (and in some cases below), and they are still sitting on the lots. In my opinion, the American attitude of "I ain't never gonna buy no riced out evolution, or I didn't marry my sister" is what did this car in sales wise. In my honest opinion, it's a miracle Mitsubishi is bringing us an 04 model year.
MP5, dealer markup was a contributor, but the fact remains you can now pick these cars up for invoice (and in some cases below), and they are still sitting on the lots. In my opinion, the American attitude of "I ain't never gonna buy no riced out evolution, or I didn't marry my sister" is what did this car in sales wise. In my honest opinion, it's a miracle Mitsubishi is bringing us an 04 model year.
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I'm pretty sure Mitsu will sell less Evos in the UK than the US.
If the Motor Trend article was right, then there were about 3500 units sold in an 8 month period (March to October -- article came out at the beginning of January so a 2 month lag must be added). That would be about 5300 units a year in the US, right about where they thought they'd be...
If the Motor Trend article was right, then there were about 3500 units sold in an 8 month period (March to October -- article came out at the beginning of January so a 2 month lag must be added). That would be about 5300 units a year in the US, right about where they thought they'd be...
evo's are known in europe, the few of us on here that know about all these things dont matter to mitsubishi, they do it all to make money. they wont make money on all these goodies here.
Originally posted by MP5
This has alot to do with...Mitsu USA not advertising for the people that didnt know the attributes of the EVO and then ROFL at a 30K with a 5K retainer on top of it.
This has alot to do with...Mitsu USA not advertising for the people that didnt know the attributes of the EVO and then ROFL at a 30K
with a 5K retainer on top of it.
The only Mitsu ads I see are those riced out ones for the regular Lancer (with the middle aged couple in the yellow Ralliart), or else the silly techno ones for the Eclipse or Endeavor or whatever. It's almost as if Mitsu is trying to ignore the Evo.
This is supposed to be Mitsu's "halo" model. But what use is it if your typical American has never heard of it? You wouldn't believe how many people ask me what an Evo is! It's pretty depressing when everywhere else in the world the Evo is as much of an automotive icon as the 911 or M3.
Emre
I think in some sick way, Mitsubishi thinks that Too fast Too Furious is advertising enough. When I bought my car, that's all they referred to and kinda stereotyped me a bit because I'm asian, so I must race and I must be a "typical ricer." I'm easy going so I didn't really care but it did get kind of ridiculous when they tried to force a copy of that horrendous movie on my family when I bought the car. -_-
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The Evo is here to stay. Evo's in the past only sold about 5000 a year worldwide. Now they are selling that many in the US alone. For the Evo line, it's a success for Mitsubishi. There little suv the outlander was a disaster. I'm sure they sold ore of those than the Evo but their sales target for that model was much higher. Mitsubishi offering an RS and the option of leather and an upgraded sounds ystem for the regular Evo shows that there not only is a market for the car but also a segmented one.
Originally posted by tama_mog
I think in some sick way, Mitsubishi thinks that Too fast Too Furious is advertising enough. When I bought my car, that's all they referred to and kinda stereotyped me a bit because I'm asian, so I must race and I must be a "typical ricer." I'm easy going so I didn't really care but it did get kind of ridiculous when they tried to force a copy of that horrendous movie on my family when I bought the car.
I think in some sick way, Mitsubishi thinks that Too fast Too Furious is advertising enough. When I bought my car, that's all they referred to and kinda stereotyped me a bit because I'm asian, so I must race and I must be a "typical ricer." I'm easy going so I didn't really care but it did get kind of ridiculous when they tried to force a copy of that horrendous movie on my family when I bought the car.
I think you're right. Mitsu definitely seems to be marketing this car to the ricer crowd which really is a shame. I just don't get the logic of Mitsu's approach. I don't know many high school kids who can drop 30 grand on a new car. And the people who can afford it either don't know about it or are turned off by the ricey/juvenile image Mistu is projecting. Wierd.
They should learn a lesson from Subrau. They've been playing up the WRC connection and presenting the STi as a sports sedan. Before the WRX, everyone thought of Subaru as making boring, safe, sensible compact cars. But now people tend to think of them as a sporty brand. All of this seems to be on the basis of a good marketing campain.
Emre
Agreed, they should make the public more aware of Mitsubishi's accomplishments in WRC instead of just putting up a couple rally pics in the cheap brochures they give out.....not rely on Mr. Walker's "amazing" driving skills in the Evo VII. In terms of sales, seems to me the car only started selling well towards the end of the year when people could buy that car @ invoice....maybe this affected Mitsu's decision in introducing the more cost efficient RS...in any case, I hope the evo stays in the US but the problems/responsibilities of the evo is probably more than the average person can handle in the US.