I am probably late on this one. In the British EVO magazine, the Spec C outshined the Evo VIII FQ-300 by what appears to be a considerable margin. Impreza is back on top....:-(. Though I think the Renault Clio V6 255 rocks!

 

Oh well, back to the drawing board for Mitsubishi...

 

FQ-300 definitely is not the lightest EVO.. Spec-C is much faster without a doubt.. I wonder how will the EVO VIII MR edition fare against the STi Spec-C?

 

i am a little bit confused by this comparison. the spec-c is the lightweight subaru sti which basically has nothing from the factory. i would think that the rs is a better comparison and not the fq which is just a souped up gsr with extra power and interior but not really a light weight car.

 

Coming from a higher output wrx with full j spec spec c suspension as well as tried DSM 40s and many sticky tire combos and alignment setting I dont see any way that the impreza did a damn thing against the FQ. The USDM STI is a spec c impreza with a higher displacement engine with even better throttle response than the UK/JDM and we see how handly the USDM hands it its *** with 30 less HP and just as much torque deficit at the same weight with the LSD up front and DCCD advantage to the STi -thats an amazing feat. The USDM should kick the EVO all over the place but it doesnt

 

USDM STi is not the same as STi Spec-C. altho the chassis and suspension are the same, but larger displacement is not always better. This is the first production year of 2.5l turbocharged displacement for USDM market, there are still a lot of flaws. EJ20 is still the way to go if you want a fast Impreza.

 

another reason why USDM STi handles like crap.. larger displacement throws off the weight and balance distribution haha

 

There is or will be an FQ-330, 'member?

 

Actually, the JDM spec-C engine is modified from the factory. I read about a dyno test they did with stock Spec C and got around 290 awhp (factory claimed 280ps to the crack). On the latest Japanese Best Motoring vid, the Spec C easily took an EVO8 GSR and a Skyline R34 GT-R on the straight.

 

The US-spec Impreza WRX STi has the chassis and suspension geometry of the Spec C. However, the US-spec STi does not the have the spring, sway bars, 13:1 steering rack and lighter weight as the Spec C. With the US-spec STi front sway bar being smaller than the regular US-spec WRX, you just know that the US-spec STi was meant to understeer.

 

The Spec C Type RA is pretty damn sweet - I would have bought one over the Evo. Of course, I would have bought an STi if we had received the JDM/UK-spec one... Damn 2.5L...

 

The USDM STI 2.5L has some problems that subaru needs to work out. People say that Knock is present on the stock car anything above 4,000rpm. My freind has an STI and there is oil all in his intercooler piping and in the vac lines coming off the turbo and wastgate.

 

The article is available as pdf at the following website:

http://www.litimports.co.uk/press.html

 

The Spec-C is no joke.

8200rmp redline,
Twin Scroll Turbo,
Much lighter then the EVO about 300lbs

Spec-C runs 12.68 in 400m (1/4 mile) stock.

I have drivin a wrx with a spec-c motor and six speed (not the new twin screw) and it's amazing car. Also the JDM one only has one cat over the USDM one with two.

We here in the US got the shaft with the STI. 2.5 7250 redline and a pig to boot.

Oh well at least we got the EVO and almost full glory. (AYC, ACD and front slip missing)

Also the Spec-C handles allot better because it's suspention is fulley tuned to the motor, Tranny gearing and wheight distribution. The Subaru is a very well balanced car because of the low flat four motor.

Still rather have my EVO.

 

Yea but the JDM evo RS with a 6 speed or a 5 speed is only a few hundred's off from that 12.68