US spec EVO VII sighted last night in So Cal (have pic)

US SPEC EVO VII SIGHTED!!!!

I was on my way to the movies last night in West LA (westchester) and I saw a bright yellow Evo VII with the CA plate labeled "dist" for distributer. I didnt have much luck with the pics as it was dark, but I do have one that came out decent.

This model was most likely a US protoype model, as I could tell the intercooler size had been reduced and moved about 5 inches back from the front bumper. (As discussed by previous publications, the problem getting the EVO VII into the US is the 5MPH crash law, which states that major damage can not occur when the front or rear bumpers strike an object @ 5MPH or less. This was an issue with the Euro / Japan model EVO VII b/c the intercooler is so close to the front bumper facia.)

Most of the rest of the car looked very similar to the Euro / Japan model.
This is very exciting b/c most publications said it could be a year still before we see this model. In reality it looks as if they are into the US conversion pretty deep.

SIGN ME UP, might be here early next year


Here's the pic -- http://www.carmods.org/images/mitsu-evo.JPG

That brings a tear to my eye. I am going on Monday to talk to my dealer about deposit on one. :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Jeff

Remember dont believe ANYTHING your dealer tells you. They are the LAST to know anything. Insist to see the manager of sales and even then the chances of them knowing anything about the real release date is slim to none.

There IS indeed at least one (see photo from orig post) US converted model of EVO VII so you know its less than a year away.

When I bought my last car I knew 10X's more about the car than my salesman did.

(No offense to any dealers out there, but you really should know everything about your vehicles if you intend to sell them most effectively.)

-- My 2 cents

Trust me, I have researched these cars for a damn long time. The only thing I am going to talk to my dealer about is how to make the deposit and make sure i get one ASAP. I gaurantee i know a ton more then the dealer knows cars. I too had to deal with a unknowledgeable dealer when i bought my S2000, they didn't know a damn thing about the car.

Jeff

Great Balls of Fire!!!! Good hard evidence! Nice photo. I'm happy to hear the front mounted Intercooler is still there. I've heard...and it's merely speculation, that the Evo VII will hit the US in the fourth quarter of 2002. What ever they call the fourth quarter.

Thats so cool. :D

Why did you black out the plate? :confused:

How did that guy get the US prototype, and doesn't the reduced size of the intercooler being smaller mean its been downgraded???? Cause...the ja/uk version had a 16G turbo in there...you should get a hold of that guy and look underneath his hood.

I hope they didn't drop change anything, maybe it was dark and thats why you couldn't see :) Anyway if the intercooler is noticably smaller then the turbo probably also is. but i REALLY hope not.

Why did you black out the plate?

He didn't. The car has no plate. It's just the plastic frame holder for the plate.

The only question I have is: Is it a REAL Evo VII, or is it a 2002 Lancer (rebadged Mirage) with a body kit and a paint job?

I'm not going to knock it, it looks good, but I've already seen one kid here in MD driving around in an Evo V... it was really an older 4-door Mirage with some ground effects.

If it is the real thing, did they 'dumb it down' like Subaru did the WRX?

Myself, I have a 2001 Mirage DE Coupe that I'm going to build up slowly but surely. I've been researching it and figure that in about a year or so I should be able to have a worked engine. But no body mods until after I've got the engineering aspects of the car done.

Anyhow, before I got to babbling... if it's real, how did he get it? If it's not, that's a damned good impersonation!

do you know if it was right hand drive or left smolvar? And on the note of it being just a rebadged base lancer it has the flared rear quaters, the standard us Lancer doesn't have those. I definetly is a true Evo, all i wanna know is when can i have mine?

He blacked it out because he didn't have the consent of the driver to put his picture on here...iz agaaainst da laww.

Yes it's definatly not a re-badged base Evo. It's the real deal. The base models sit much higher or at least look that way because of the ground effects being different. The front grill is entirely different. I thought it might pass for a OZ Racing Edition Lancer at first as well, but then I saw that the grills of those cars and bases are actually chromed, or have a vertical chrome piece that runs in the middle. Also, there are the small slits in the bumper that run horizontally. I don't think base models have that either.

I defanatly like that.
The Color is mad phat.....
But i do agree, it does look like the Lancer.

Again that looks phat.....

but im still lookin for my Celica:sun:

Originally posted by smolvar
Remember dont believe ANYTHING your dealer tells you. They are the LAST to know anything. Insist to see the manager of sales and even then the chances of them knowing anything about the real release date is slim to none.

There IS indeed at least one (see photo from orig post) US converted model of EVO VII so you know its less than a year away.

When I bought my last car I knew 10X's more about the car than my salesman did.

(No offense to any dealers out there, but you really should know everything about your vehicles if you intend to sell them most effectively.)

-- My 2 cents

I totally agree, Dealers just want you to buy the car.

They dont know shit about them.

I went into Toyota to ask about the Matrix and a few of them didnt even know what i was talking about.

It is sad when us customers know more about the car than the Salespeople.

I'd rather buy the car directily from Toyota itself so i dont have to deal with them stupid asses.

I think it's very possible. I can tell the pic is in California (look at the plate of the car behind the lancer) and I know that it's coming to the states next year (from Mit. CEO interview), but I seriously doubt that is a bona fide US Evo 7. Most likely, it's a body kit on a Lancer 2002, they look pretty life-like in pictures on www.body-kits.com (saw an earlier thread with this in it).

This is what I know from Bob Ceo who is the Southeast Mistsubishi rep that I met during the Tampa Auto Show several weeks ago (around Oct). The Evo 7 is coming possibly as early as December 2001 (I guess not now that we are in Dec) or most likely in the spring. They moved the intro date up because of sales pressure from Subaru.

Also, I have the only license plate in Florida with "EVO VII" Got it 2 weeks ago. :smoker2:

I wanna know the prce ASAP, I have heard from 21,000 all the way up to 36,000. The only way i can get one is if it is under 30,000. Also are they bringing over the GSR and RS or just the GSR?

jeff

As far as the info points, just the GSR. Fits americans better and actually includes a stereo. The RS doesnt have speakers but has speaker ports in the doors and on the back board.

Hey!
Who are you trying to kid??? That looks like the EVO VII, has the vody of the EVO VII. Theres no way in hell that that's a US Lancer. To the untrained eye..........

Dang Reveen...are you going to put neon lights and a wing on your Celica too???? RRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by rEVOlution

Dang Reveen...are you going to put neon lights and a wing on your Celica too????

As for the Neon's i dont think so...well, not as yet...
the wing/Spoiler is a must, i was lookin for the supra spoiler but i have to get the car first.

I had one last year this time, but i was driving like an @$$ and crashed it on christmas eve:cry:

Everyone says i should get a new one, but i know the insurance would be a killer, plus i dont like the new body styles compared to the 94's.
The '94 has more....um...curves, yeah, that's it.:D

Hey man...thats cool.

I don't like it when people rice out cars is all. I think it'd be better instead of getting that supra spoiler and alteeza lights you should get a turbo or shocks or something...something that will help your performance.

Originally posted by rEVOlution
Hey man...thats cool.

.something that will help your performance.

Well, im gonna see what is available.

But i think im going to let off on the performance for a while, a friend of mine just totalled a Volvo S70 tonight, so everyone is on that wait-till-we-forget-about-it mood.

Soooo....
RICE!?!?!?!?!?

Just be a resposible driver!! don't pull stupid shit like racing on wet roads or during heavy traffic.

Fast & furious is not the god of movies.

Fast and the Furious was a bloody stupid movie, I hate big stickers on cars.
And as for the choice between RS and GSR.
Don't get the RS unless it's gonna be for race use as it doesn't come with AC, recaro's, momo steering wheel, power windows, stereo and mag wheels.

the evo 3,5,and 6 look the best. and the 6 is faster than the 7.

Ok, someone pls call me stupid, cos... These evo VII's have been around for fecken ages in NZ.
Is it just that you guys from the US have to wait for the US versions or something? :eek:

Originally posted by Syrinx
Ok, someone pls call me stupid, cos... These evo VII's have been around for fecken ages in NZ.
Is it just that you guys from the US have to wait for the US versions or something? :eek:

The US is belive it or not the last place that get the best cars.

The ALWAYS go else where first.

i'm guessing ages in new zealand refere to....4months?
jk Syr...yeah we get the imports last...buuuut that's ok because we have the kick ass domestics.

Well yer, I was thinking about 5 - 6ish months & lol @ kick ass domestics... :sun:

Speed doesn't kill, Momentum Kills!!!!

Originally posted by Syrinx
Well yer, I was thinking about 5 - 6ish months & lol @ kick ass domestics... :sun:

Yeah, you Kiwi's can get all the fun Japanese toys....and all a all time low price (very moderate cartaxes)

Nico

I saw some days ago an Evo VII just like the one in the picture, yellow and everything, it´s damn nice and looks fast also because it´s light weighted.

This image would look cool as wallpaper on your desktop!:licker:

THe weird thing is, is that car you have pictures of is right behind my house right now. That exact car belongs to my neighbor who is president of Mitsubishi North America and he drove it home from the LA auto show, i asked him all of the specs and he said it will be about 35 grand and will include al of the Japanese parts such as TT and intercooler. While you all just are staring at that this on the photo, I GOT TO DRIVE IT!!!!!!!! WRX aint nothin compared to this beast, 0-60 in 4.9 is pretty good for a stock sedan dont ya think?

Uh TT? as in TWIN TURBO? That doesnt even Exist IN JAPAN or in any EVOLUTION whatsoever..
35Gs? is you sure? because that its been told to be UNDER 30k..to compete with RX8 and 350z PRICE RANGE.

i guess the announcement will come in from the NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW (NAIAS) in Detroit.. January 2002.

this is too good to be true!!!!
i have been wanting a lancer for way too long. used to see them in the street in Hong Kong.
They are just so nice.
i am a happy camper!!!!
waitting to trade in my car to get one in Aug.:D

I love that picture. It gets me wondering what color Lancer Evo VII I should go for, if and when I ever get one. I'm thinking silver right now, but black would be a good second. Red I like from some angles, but I'm not sure.

$35K is a little steep for me though. I hope thats not what they sell for. If so I'm sure if I drove one I'd still through the money down to buy one, but dang. Thats a bit much still.

TT better not stand for twin turbo. As someone else mentioned, there's no such thing on any Lancer.

If you can, post us all the facts. Like when! they will be coming to the USA! How much horsepower, and how many will hit the US soil. Seriously though what does your TT mean?

Originally posted by makinenRALLY
THe weird thing is, is that car you have pictures of is right behind my house right now. That exact car belongs to my neighbor who is president of Mitsubishi North America and he drove it home from the LA auto show, i asked him all of the specs and he said it will be about 35 grand and will include al of the Japanese parts such as TT and intercooler. While you all just are staring at that this on the photo, I GOT TO DRIVE IT!!!!!!!! WRX aint nothin compared to this beast, 0-60 in 4.9 is pretty good for a stock sedan dont ya think?

Where is the bullshit flag when you need it? First off, the LA Auto Show isn't until January of next year. As people have stated above, the Evolution has never had twin turbos. What is the name of the President and where do you live?

Originally posted by bioyuki
Where is the bullshit flag when you need it? First off, the LA Auto Show isn't until January of next year. As people have stated above, the Evolution has never had twin turbos. What is the name of the President and where do you live? http://www.automotiveforums.com/kris/kris/+junk/bsflag.gif

And for good measure:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/kris/kris/+junk/bs.gif

http://www.automotiveforums.com/kris/kris/+junk/bsmeter.gif

if you guys dont beleive me come to Irvine California and ill show you the car. you dumb sh*ts dont dont know crap, the president lives right behind me and he has the car until the auto show comes, u people ake me sick. u think u know all this crap about cars, ill admit i screwed up on the TT part, but you can make the lancer evo TT anyway, and if you dont beleive me, come see the car and ill show you the evo VII. and as for the fact thatguys dont know crap, anytime you guys wana race i have plenty of cars to choose from if you wanna come race, i guarentee my m3 will beat any of you civic fags.

Ps. i believe i am the only one to have actually installed a garrett t3/t4 custom turbo on any Evo so i think i know something about cars.:flipa:

Hey, man... no need to get all worked up!

People are skeptical because:

a. it's the internet

And, well, that's pretty much it.

And folks questioned your credibility because of the TT thing, what do you expect? You admit you made a mistake, so it's all good.

I could buy the fact that the Mitsu prez lives in Irvine, I guess...

Originally posted by makinenRALLY
i guarentee my m3 will beat any of you civic fags.Who said anything about a Civic? :confused:
Originally posted by makinenRALLY
Ps. i believe i am the only one to have actually installed a garrett t3/t4 custom turbo on any Evo so i think i know something about cars. :flipa: I'd like to see that! :D

Originally posted by makinenRALLY
if you guys dont beleive me come to Irvine California and ill show you the car. you dumb sh*ts dont dont know crap, the president lives right behind me and he has the car until the auto show comes, u people ake me sick. u think u know all this crap about cars, ill admit i screwed up on the TT part, but you can make the lancer evo TT anyway, and if you dont beleive me, come see the car and ill show you the evo VII. and as for the fact thatguys dont know crap, anytime you guys wana race i have plenty of cars to choose from if you wanna come race, i guarentee my m3 will beat any of you civic fags.

Ps. i believe i am the only one to have actually installed a garrett t3/t4 custom turbo on any Evo so i think i know something about cars.:flipa:

Where are you in Irvine...I'll be there in 15 minutes :D

Originally posted by bioyuki
Where are you in Irvine...I'll be there in 15 minutes :D Quick note: do not put your or solicit other people's personal info in the forums. Please do this through e-mail or Private Messages.

Originally posted by jay@af
Quick note: do not put your or solicit other people's personal info in the forums. Please do this through e-mail or Private Messages.

Yeah, yeah :)...it was meant as a joke kinda. If he posts pictures of the car then I will def. drive down and see it...

Originally posted by bioyuki
Yeah, yeah :)...it was meant as a joke kinda. If he posts pictures of the car then I will def. drive down and see it... ;) Good. :)

Sure I'll race ya. I'm pretty sure that m3 would lose to a Eclipse GT 01. :)

Hey guys im new to the board, also

the vice president of mitsubishi north america lives behind me in west virginia and he gave me a TT(tri turbo) evo7 cause he likes me a lot, it has 3 turbos!!!, Im so happy.
:)

Originally posted by AE83
Hey guys im new to the board also,

the vice president of mitsubishi north america lives behind me in west virginia and he gave me an evo7 cause he likes me a lot, and it has 3 turbos, Im so happy.
:) Welcome to AF!!! :rolleyes:

(I like lists today)

thank you i also forgot to say that I own a 2002 m5, and recently imported a skyline GTR V-Spec R34. Does anyone want to race? but remember you have to have mud tires on, this is west virginia.

I will race you in your skyline gtr, I have a 88 honda accord, and it can drive on the highway,, so there. Beat that.



look at this for 5 minutes :bandit: and tell me you don't laugh.

Jeff

i also have a large chainsaw, in case there are too many obstacles, such as trees or people. :greenchai west virginia can get ruff from what i hear. hahaha

Only if your accord has mud tires.

When you get tri turbo evo you come and talk to me.

:bandit: thats what i look like.

Originally posted by Humanoid Typhoon
Sure I'll race ya. I'm pretty sure that m3 would lose to a Eclipse GT 01. :)

i hope this isnt a stock eclipse is it? caue my m3 has a dynan chip and about 350hp. so unless its fixed up i wouldnt count on a win.

Rediculous

Yeah, yeah :)...it was meant as a joke kinda. If he posts pictures of the car then I will def. drive down and see it... [/B][/QUOTE]

as soon as i can take some pictures of it, ill post them and then u can pay a visit, its a pretty sick car.

Originally posted by makinenRALLY


as soon as i can take some pictures of it, ill post them and then u can pay a visit, its a pretty sick car. [/B]

PM me with details. Since the Pres of Mitsubishi is probably pretty rich I'm guessing hes somewhere in Turtle Rock...

as soon as i can take some pictures of it, ill post them and then u can pay a visit, its a pretty sick car. [/B][/QUOTE]

yeah, yeah, as long you don´t get them from the Internet...:D :alien2:

Originally posted by bioyuki


PM me with details. Since the Pres of Mitsubishi is probably pretty rich I'm guessing hes somewhere in Turtle Rock...

If u know where the new northwood homes are, he lives in the $950,000 Rosegate homes and once again, hes not pres of mitsu, hes president of North American sales and distrobution. The real owner lives in like Hong Kong, his last name is gagnon, so hes french.

And no i wont getthe pics from the internet but i will take the pictures if he still has the car, which i think he does, but if he doesnt, he usually has some sick show cars so he might have a sick eclipse or something like that.

To whoever was unsure if this was a re-badged and kitted lancer \ mirage , then one difference between the standard lancers / mirages and the Evos is the evo's have a 5 bolt stud pattern, the others have 4. - Thats tru for NZ at anyrate.

AL

you know the guy in college who was the only guy in the dorms with a nice car? The guy with the Lancer IS that guy (provided it's legit). Get to know him, hang out with him, MINE HIM FOR INFORMATION! Then let the rest of us know! :p I REALLY want that car, but prolly won't be able to afford it for about another 7-8 months...