[wontbslow]

I posted this on lancerforums too. I thought people here might be interested in reading about the STi's main competition.

So here's the newest article by Motor Trend about the EVO VII.


FIRST TEST '02 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII

Yup-it's fast

Mitsubishi's announcement that the EVO VII is heading for America was huge news for enthusiast drivers (MT March '01). 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 capable, seriously 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. Quite: 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 250 hp-all for just under $30,000. It, and the afore-mentioned WRX, represents a truly exciting breed of performance car. Bring it on. -M.S.

Price: $35,000 (Euro spec, est, at current exchange)

Vehicle layout: Front engine AWD, 4-door, 5-pass.

Engine: 2.0L/276-hp turbo I-4, DOHC, 4 valves/cyl

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

So when are going to see an article about the possible U.S. version of the Subaru STi???? Maybe we should all write to the big car magazines and demand them to get on it eh? After all, Motor Trend played a big part in getting Ford to produce the new GT40. Maybe some pressure is all SOA needs to get the balls rolling.

-David



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: wontbslow on 2002-04-01 03:33 ]</font>

 

[jesse370]

I'm sure it doesn't hurt that just about everycar show about 75% of the people that go to the soa booth ask about an sti. Its only a matter of time. I'm betting that soa won't let mitsu have the biggest and baddest for too long or it may see there share shrink.

 

[D$]

Ugh. Many of us have seen those Evo and STi specs so many times we can quote those articles from memory.

I know everyone's just reporting their spin on the rumor mill, but if I have to read one more article which states that the Evo is official and that this surely means the STi will come over I think I'll die.

I can't take it any more. I've decided the best way to handle this is to pretend I've never heard of this "STi" thing and be as happy as I can with my WRX. Then when my dealer calls me and says they can order one I'll "remember" . . .

 

[wontbslow]

I know what you mean. I myself have heard these numbers and supposed rumors too many times to count. What I found strange about this article was that it really didn't add any new info since the last time they ran an article about the EVO VII. Makes me wonder what was the point? I guess they were just excited to get their hands on a LHD model.

But with magazines, they have to cater to the reader who doesn't subscribe as well as the one who does. So unfortunately for us, the car enthusiast, we get a lot of regurgitated information.

That said, D$, consider yourself extremely lucky to have a WRX! I've driven one twice and still can't get over how much I loved driving it. If I weren't holding out to see how the U.S. STi was going to be I'd buy a WRX right now. In a perfect world I'd have one of each: A WRX for my extremely fun daily driver, and an STi for my even more fun weekend warrior! But I sure wouldn't be upset at all if I had a WRX.

-David

 

[D$]

Repeated informatin. :smile: I have subscriptions to Road&Track, Car&Driver, SCC, and I read the Internet. Now that's repeated information.

Man, I love my WRX. Its in mint condition 1 year old and 16k miles

 

[wontbslow]

D$, just out of curiosity, what color is your WRX?

-David

 

[thermite]

I have a WRX as well. Dont know if I will get an STi when we get them. My WRX is going to be heavily modded by the time we get the STi and ill have to look at the situation and decide wether or not I want to start over with an STi or just keep the WRX and drive that. I love my WRX and its the bets car ive ever owned. Its a WR Pearl Blue. I also want to see what the STi looks like as it may have a complete makeover by the time we get it. It just depends. I would hate to throw 10K into my car only to sell it and strat over. I guess it just depends on how I like the STi that we get. Ill deffinitely get one if they go back to a 2 door. I love having a fast 4 door but a 2 door would be neat as well.

Glen

 

[why?]

That is the exact reason that has kept me from purchasing a WRX. I could not justify buying a $20k car, then selling it a year later to buy a $30k car, so I will just wait for the STi & EVO to come out & decide which one I like better.