#$#^%@$^%!$#@$#@#

[Apex]

I can't believe once again Mitsubishi has decided to keep the Lancer from entering America. They just announced the latest version, the Lancer Evolution VII:

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/PDF-E/evo7.pdf

280 HP advertised (Japan's agreed apon limit on advertised hp. The last generation dyno tested at 310-320hp. Extrapolating out from the torque, this one is about 340hp or so)
283lb/ft of Torque
2900-3085 lbs
17x8" rims with 235/45ZR17 tires
Momo steering wheel
Recaro seats
High intensity Xenon headlights
Active center differential (multiplate clutch type) all wheel drive unit, selectable tarmac, gravel, and snow modes
Active yaw control
4 piston Brembo brakes front, 2 piston Brembo rear

Get this, the RS version (same hp rating) starts at just $21,159 in US dollars, and the GSR starts at $25,193. Ugh, that makes me sick. I want one. Badly.

[hapoo]

DAMN, I'm not into Mitsubishi but I must say those stats with that price *drool*

Whats the difference between the RS and the GSR?

[Apex]

The GSR has 17" rims (15: on RS), Recaro seats (mitsu on RS), Active diff (optional on RS), and some interior, stereo, lighting, and body panel differences.

[helius]

Are you a big fan of that car, Apex? I really can't tell!


Seriously though, is there a picture somewhere of the Lancer? I've heard quite a bit about it, but I've not actually seen a picture of the car (without a ton of stickers / odd paints on).

[KoalaFD]

I had heard that there were difficulties in released the new Evo VII because Mitsubishi had made a few recalls back on home soil.... the Japanese government didn't take too kindly to this (supposedly...) and put Mitsu on probation which meant that no new cars were being released.

Guess not.

[hapoo]

The front of the car reminds me of the new Mustangs

[speedracer120]

Maybe you could form some kind of consortium to import the cars direct. I'd buy one if only I had the money.

[Ice-9]

Originally posted by speedracer120
Maybe you could form some kind of consortium to import the cars direct...

heheh, and switch the steering wheel to the correct side of the car. Stupid desirable right-hand-drive vehicles...

[brain]

I remember reading somewhere that Mitsubishi is launching into the Canadian market now and that the Lancer will be available there.

[sbp]

Originally posted by speedracer120
Maybe you could form some kind of consortium to import the cars direct. I'd buy one if only I had the money.

Yeah just like the time Apex got a consortium together at agn3d's overclocking forum to buy Alpha's coolers direct from Japan. At that time Alpha's weren't sold in the country. Apex was a renowned overclocker back in those days. It was like he was the king of overclocking. Apex was also one of the leading posters at the ubb agn3d forum. But then Apex started his own site and only came back for an occasional visit to the fusetalk agn3d forum. Then the forum was shut down. So you see its Apex's fault agn3d's forum closed.

[OC]

We can only hope that with Subaru bringing over the WRX that other car makers will get the hint. The US is the largest automotive market in the world and we consistently DON'T get the good cars. WRX, M3, Skyline, etc. The VVT version of the the SR20DE in Nissans. Hello ?!? Is anyone listening? Another note is a lot of car makers putting a hot engine into a limited production car, ala Ford Mustang Cobra R. This engine should be in the Mustang GT. Stop making excuses and give us the good stuff.

At least we got the Type R's.....

-o

[Ice-9]

I'm sorry, but I still think Type Rs are overrated. You want to know why?

Sure, they're in the top 3 for specific output (horsepower per liter), behind only the S2000 and just above the Ferrari Modena, but who really cares? So the engine is impressively designed. It still only makes 195 horsepower!

The handling is good for it's class of car, definitely. But it still falls short of real sports cars in skidpad performance (.88), and the weight distribution, at 62.5%/37.5%, does not make for neutral handling. The tires are 195s on 15" wheels, not too puny for a totally stock vehicle, but NOT designed for hard driving.

What I'm saying is that it's a great sports car for the money, but everybody makes such a huge deal out of them that you'd think they could compete with, say, a Boxster, or an M3. Not even CLOSE. Sorry, rice boys.

p.s. as an afterthought to this little rant, i do agree with overclocked on the rest of his post. those car makers need to just bite the bullet and make all that awesome technology smog-legal and put the steering wheel on the correct side so they can bring it in to the US!

[clutchy]

u ever driven one?

[Apex]

As much as I dislike integras, I got to admit, the Type-R is done very well. I believe it was Option magazine that tested it right when it came out and it lapped the track as fast as the R33 Skyline GT-R, stock to stock. I don't remember the track, unfortunately (could have been Suzuka). That's not a bad accomplishment at all.

[Hanyoung]

why not bite the bullet and wait for the lancer to eventually come to the states in your new...

Subaru WRX!!!

It is ugly as mo-fo, but can't wait to test drive it. Anyone else have yet?

[Apex]

The WRX is not the STi though, unfortunately (so 22x hp instead of nearly 300).

However, great news. Apparently, Mitsu is watching the WRX launch closely. Enough sales and Mitsu might actually bring the Lancer Evo VII over. If that's so, I'm selling whatever I need to to get one. Heh.

[Ice-9]

Originally posted by clutchy
u ever driven one?

Nope. I really don't know very many people with nice cars, and I'm too busy to try to go convince dealers to let a broke college student test-drive their nice, shiny new cars. You got one you want to let me drive?

[clutchy]

never driven a type R, but i did drive an Si overrated yes, but fun as hell to drive.

[Blu]

Originally posted by Apex
The WRX is not the STi though, unfortunately (so 22x hp instead of nearly 300).

However, great news. Apparently, Mitsu is watching the WRX launch closely. Enough sales and Mitsu might actually bring the Lancer Evo VII over. If that's so, I'm selling whatever I need to to get one. Heh.

Nothin a little chipping can't help. I'm sure the car is underboosted, so kicking up the bost a few pounds can't hurt too much.

Blu