New EVO Article in May '02 MT

[dmb9756]

Just got my new MT today. Don't know if this has been posted already, but here is what the article says:

"Mitsubishi's announcement that the EVO VII is heading for America was huge news for enthusiast drivers. It had been rumored and predicted for some time, but wasn't a done deal until mid-December. The main business-case hurdle was the cost to reconfigure the car's fascia-mounted intercooler so the front end would pass crash tests. Customer demand--and above-quota Subaru WRX sales--convinced Mitsu's U.S. arm to make it so.

To get a feel for what to expect, we put the spurs to a Euro-spec, left-hand-drive EVOmonster. And it's the real deal: edgy, supremely quick, and just a little manic in the way it springs to life. Power: not much down low, but meaningful boost shows up at around 2500 rpm. From 4000 to 7000, it puts pressure on your retinas. Steering: perhaps the quickest we've ever sampled in a production car. Handling: superbly neutral, and, as long as the throttle is used to take advantage of the AWD, it self-corrects out of an oversteer situation. Brakes: They're Brembos, and you can't fool or fade 'em. Recaro seats: super grippy. Ride: lousy. Quiet: anything but.

This isn't a watered-down boy-racer; it's a rally car that's been streetified. We suspect Mitsu might soften the ride a bit for our market, and we're told the U.S. version (to be called the Evolution VIII) will have something closer to 250hp--all for just under $30,000. It, and the aforementioned WRX, represents a truly exciting breed of performance car. Bring it on."

Some stats from the article:
On sale in U.S. - Spring 2003
0-60 mph, sec - 4.3
600-ft slalom, mph - 70.9
Braking, 60-0 mph, ft - 113

[ericc2]

Looks like our friends in the US won't get the evo7 after all. But the evo8.

Somehow, I doubt that it will be called the evo8 as there is really no reason why it can't maintain the 7 name.

Does that mean that the future japan-spec evo will be the 9? and from there on all odd numbers whereas the US will get even numbers?

[violinandy]

no, we are gonna get the 7. MT spouts alot of crap before actually knowing what they are talking about. at least everything they have said about the evo so far has been crap...

[Joseph K]

no the only reason why it will be an 8 here is because some of the people that can afford the car would be like " its a year old its not worth that much" we call them jackasses

[Humanoid Typhoon]

Lancers and Evo7 has the same bumper, why would one pass and the not the other? False rumor.

[ericc2]

Lancers and Evos do NOT have the same bumpers. Remember that Evos have to accomodate an huge intercooler up front with the respective intake issues.

Also, the front bumper hood of the evo is made of alluminium - making it a lil pinkie lift-up job to save weight.

Also, you have to deal with other weight restriction issues such as thinner windscreens and potentially lighter weight bumper skirts and wings.

Regulations can be a nightmare. Just be patient as it is for your own good. Minor remedial work is expected coz most of the evos are RHD.

Best to worry whether you US denizens are gonna get the GTA or GSR. Now that would be a major differences.