It seems to me that the time is right for the Evo VII to head over. WRX's are selling like hotcakes for aroung 25-27K apiece. With Camaro and Firebird bowing out of the sport coupe market, there will be a 50'000 vehicle a year hole to fill. Even a detuned (230-260hp) Evo II would be able to take a good chunk of this pie if its priced competitively. I fail to see how UK exported $40,000 dollar US Spec Evos would show Mitsu the numbers they want to see. I'd say that mid 2003 model year, we'll start seeing Evos cropping up on Mitsu dealerships. As for Ralliart, don't hold your breath. If the Evo does make it here, it would be another 3-5 years before we get specialty tuner cars like that.

 

i wonder how is gonna look w/ the new bumpers and stuff

 

I'm not convinced they'll change the front end. I'm fairly certain they can overcome the I/C problem without reinventing the wheel. It may, in fact already be fixed. The pics of the Evo VII we're seeing might be the actual export ready car, just awaiting final approval from the NTSB. Hopefully we won't get some watered down 220hp, $35,000 specialty car.

 

it will be watered down...but not 35000...mitsubishi knows who the evolution's competitors are

 

The Evo VII's competitor will be the WRX STi, NOT the regular 227 hp WRX.

 

Yeah the Evo VII will be competing with the WRX STI and i think that thing sells for like 28k so the evo will prolly be around that price...

 

So is it a definite that the STi is coming to the US? If there is a chance that the STi won't make it, I wouldn't be suprised to se a 230hp Evo. But all that means is we'll have to turn up the boost!

 

How do you figure that the Evo 7 will be put up against the Sti. There are no plans to bring an Sti here at the moment, and do you think that Mitsu is going to allow Subaru to corner the market on AWD, turbo charged cars for 22,000-25,000 no way. They want a peice of the action just like everyone else, and they have the car to do it, a watered down Evo. If Subaru ever brings the Sti here, then we will probably see Mitsu bring the full package Evo, but until then, dont hold your breath.


Justin

 

I think you hit the nail on the head All. I'm pretty positive that we'll see the Evolution here, just not the 280hp car we're accustomed to. Im sure these same discussions were taking place just before the WRX made its debut here.

 

Amen to that brutha,
I just hope it looks cool, because the O.Z. is not wuite up to par in that dept. It's not a bad looking car, but it needs a few upgrades to make it look more aggresive. I could definately go for an AWD, 230HP Evo 7 that looks nice.


Justin

 

What's the deal with that Lancer commercial in the video section. Is that the real deal or did someone figure out how to use Windows movie maker? If it's the real thing it sure does look like a commercial for the US market.

 

Not sure, I havent watched any of those videos. Check the Evo vs. Audi thread though in this forum, there are some good movies in that one.


Justin

Oh and by the way, welcome to the board.

 

Taken from Automotive News:

A high-performance Impreza Sti, which generates a staggering 280 hp in its Japanese and Australian versions, is due here for the 2004 model year.

http://www.autonews.com/html/main/st.../fpasia827.htm

Reasons why I believe the STi is coming:

1) Autmotive News is a very reputable news source
2) News/Rumors of debadged STi running around in Colorado for testing. See www.i-club.com for more info.
3) Subaru of America is having record breaking sales with the whole MY02 Impreza line so how can they not bring the STi over.

Also another reason to consider why they Evo won't be 230HP for $22K-$25K is that the Evolution VII is produced in low quantities, something like 10K to 15K for the entire world this year and would be hard pressed to produce any more than that. On the other hand Subaru has 15,000 WRX's (up from the original 10,000) allocated just for the United States. So it seems like it would make more sense to up the price (and hopefully the power) for the Evo and sell fewer cars. My guess would be about 1500 to 3000 Evo VII's to the US for anywhere in the range of $29K to $35K.

Just my two cents

 

then what's the reason for this forum then? (Lancer Rumors)

 

Because if it wasn't said by Mitsubishi then it is still a rumor.