I think the car look ok. This is a rally car based sedan, but it is a lancer based car. The wing is fine by me since it is a signature part of every generation of Evos so far. I think they all got the big wing except maybe the 1st generation.

I believe the Evo is an enthusiast car. If you care that much about cache and looks and what people will think then get the BMW or other luxury brand.

That being said I think the Evo VIII is the least boyracer of the generation of Evos so far based purely on pictures. If someone is embarrased to be seen in a Evo VIII then they should be driving a 3 series like all the other sheep out there.

 

Pretty much my feeling on things. The taillights are definitely my least favorite aesthetic cue but they dont look that bad on a red car, I also think the front of the car is very aggressive looking, as well as its stance even stock.

It does come down to utility, and if the car were a swooping 2dr coupe scraping the ground ala a corvette it would lose that. Sports cars are supposed to be fun, distinctive looking, and absurdly equipped for the task at hand, the daily commute for most. I kind of like the immaturity factor of the car aesthetically, I work all day and I bought the car to have fun, brings back memories of my matchbox days.

 

The aggressive/adolescent styling is due in part to necesity, we need a BIG open front bumper with stout lines to provide flow to the intercoolers, the g35s need new ones or have the stockers cut to accomodate the FMIC. Secondly, i do mildly wish it looked a bit sleeker and sportier...hell...maybe even two doors? With a car like this, it makes practicality a good buy, but i already pay sports car insurance and get treated like a sports car, so why not have it look more like one?

 

I think it's pretty ugly. No matter what junk Mitsu puts on it, it still invokes thoughts of a plain, crappy lancer. I know better, and you know better, but the fact that it looks so much like a regular lancer is just disappointing. I wish there was a coupe version, too, because 4-doors just don't look good. The only good-looking 4-door, imo, is the IS300. It's about the only sedan that still looks sporty like a coupe, but oh well, my IS300 is nothing compared to my MR. I chose not to get an evo in 03-04, mainly because of how disappointing the styling was, but when the MR came out, I was willing to overlook the styling in favor of the incredible performance. I wouldn't trade my MR for anything, but I never mistake it for a beauty queen.

Oh, just fyi, I think the STi is MUCH uglier, so don't think for a second that I like STi's.

 

Not to sound like an egotistical EVO owner, I really think the EVO looks completely different than the Lancer. They resemble each other. Lancers have been around a few years, but most people don't have a clue what my car is.

BTW, I partly chose the EVO because I think the STI is uglier.

 

I love the look of my car, I think the EVO 5 and 7 looks better than the 8 tho.

 

I like the look of the evo vii, although I personally think that 6.5 TME was the best looking version followed closely by the IV.

 

I think that is the general complaint. It is not an "ugly" car, but it isn't a pretty one, either. I don't think you could ever make a beautiful four door econo-box sedan, which is exactly why the Evo doesn't look like beautiful, like a 350Z. If they made a two door Evo it would look better, but if it's based off the Lancer, I doubt it will look that great.

 

+1

 

The funny thing is I came from BMW and Audi and bought an EVO instead. Dropped, with a kit, tuned... it's a the hottest looking car on the road, period. And I guess the market loves "ugly" anyway...suv's and sedan's and coupe's all go in different directions and leave the norm in styling. ...just 02 cents.

BTW, the look of your car will change strangely change for the better when it puts down 350-400whp for you, just for you,...give your evo a hug today and thank it for being the baddest econo box on the planet ;-).

 

The adolescent comments are intriquing to me, especially when they come from editors at magazines that talk about the original E-30 M3 in reverent tones, and it has the same sort of boxy with flares styling that to me, makes the Evo so appealling. My wife call the evo the "little crouching tiger car", and I think that is appropo.


Percy Howard

 

I think rather than the Evo having F&F styling, it's actually the reverse. The sport compact scene has been defined by cars like the Evo and Skyline for over 10 years now, well in advance of the F&F movement. The pointless wings and vents that a lot of cars sport these days is a twisted homage to cars like the Evo and their rally counterparts. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Every vent and surface of the Evolution serves a purpose. The wing is big because you HAVE to have a big wing to have any kind of aerodynamic impact. Virtually every other "wing" that you see on performance cars today serve no purpose whatsoever. And it's the same wing used in SCCA ProRally and WRC Group A competition.

And finally, I agree 100% about the E30 M3 being the spiritual ancestor of the Evo. Both were defined by homologation requirements and both use the same body panels and aero bits as their competition counterparts. While the WRX started as a homologation vehicle, when you compare Group A performance, where the cars are much closer to production than WRC, the Evo absolutely dominates the class.

I would add another poll entry- "it's beautiful in a bauhaus way". Bauhaus was a german architecture and art school in the early 20th century that defined modernist architecture and furniture design. The basic tenet of the Bauhaus school was that "form follows function". In other words, if an object is extremely functional, then by definition it is also beautiful... Michelangelo made and painted some beautiful art, but his work never had to solve some of the modern world's most vexing design problems, as the bauhaus school did.

 

To me the EVO is sleek, mean looking like a shark and just plain beautiful. The STi on the other hand ...... oh boy! ...

 

evo = chick getter

 

Are you serious? I would think the S2000 (they should change that name), 350Z (do you guys say "zee" or "zed?"), or any luxury marque would do better.