Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VII (340 hp)

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Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VII

After some diesels and less exciting car, it was about time to post something about a true sportcar


More pics :arrow:

Specifications

Engine - I4 turbo, 1998cc
Power - 340 hp @
Torque -
Weight -
Fuel Tank -
Max Speed (declared) -
Acceleration (declared), 0-100 km/h -
Fuel economy (out of town / town / mixed) -
Tranny - 6 gears manual

:arrow: Power graph - http://img41.imagevenue.com/img.php?..._122_487lo.jpg

Seats - 5
Doors - 4
Lenght / width -
Height -
Boot -

Exterior

Won't be a long chapter I guess. We are pretty used to Lancers and after the VI their styling pretty much standardised, to the point most ppl don't like them anymore.
Actally now that we got the VII and the IX, looking back at the VII I find some proprely sharp and strong lines I really love. Less hooligan than a VI yet not as "popular" as an VIII could be.
Also, the VII is quite more exclusive around here. No idea what happened with that generation, but they sold very few units, so you won't risk to be parked beside a car looking exactly like yours at the shopping mall.
Finished in a stealthy silver with just some very subtle Digit Power (Swiss tuner) decals, this is quite a sleeper despite the BBS wheels installed by the owner.

Interior

Doh! You know it. As for american cars, Lancers doesn't shine for their interior quality, and don't seem to improve that much despite critics. Probably because we are not talking about an Audi, BMW or Mercedes.
And you know what? Those cheap plastics and simple buttons aren't that terrible afterall. When there are too many gizmos and cool looking functions you tend not to focus on the driving and it means you are in a big cruiser. That said, you could have a simple and focused cabin without making it look that cheap IMO.
This particular EVO is a bit special because you actually have to drop your ass into a proper racing seat, or almost instead of the usual seats, which are already pretty good and supportive in the VII, on the driver's side you'll find a Porsche 996 GT3 seat which seem quite out of place with its Porsche badge and all, but also provide some first class support and feeling. Definitely not a bad idea, and the owner having also a Porsche in his garage (997 cabrio and a couple of very fast 997 on order), it is partially justified

How does it drive?

Again, this one is modified, ence some details sure differ from a stock evo. From the first meters the suspension feels very firm and the steering direct. The thin seat transmit every little bump in the road to your body and there is a bit of squeaking and such coming from here and there. At low speed, with no boost the car is lazy but the exhaust note already there to remember you this is no ordinary evo VII.
Well, first straightaway opens up and the owner asks me to see what second gear can do.. sure, why not , I drop down a gear, be sure the wheels are pointing in the right direction and give some flooring. At first I wanted to check the revs, but suddently I felt the turbo brutally kicking in and decided it wasn't a smart idea not to have my eyes on the road. The way the engine delivers once on boil is frantic, manic, and definitely VERY scary. I actually drove this car some days before the Diablo, and not even an epic italian V12 can produce such scary thrust. I wasn't able to be brave enough to caress the red line and slotted the stick into third some 1000 rpm too early.
In the corners the car feels so damn planted, yet alive, sensible to any minor surface or camber change. It kinda remembers a Mini or other brillant hatches. You definitely feel the car dancing and ready to do whatever you want. These days we are no more used to such directness and rapid response and at first it is almsot weird because every minor input produce a reaction, almost too big of a reaction for such small inputs. Then of course you start to get in the mood and as you can imagine, it's just pure fun and quite sad to jump back in a normal modern car. Since a while I decided I'll try to get myself a real car from the 70 in a while, to be able to really drive it and not beeing driven by it. Actually such pure cars still exist maybe if you look at the EVO, but well, we shouldn't forget all the YAW things that keep in check that ultra complicated AWD system and those 300+ ponies. Yet, at normal speeds when the technology doesn't need to interfer to keep you alive, this car is really a joy!

What are the most positive features of the car?

Direct
Stunning pulling power
Understated and sleeper

What are the most negative features of the car?

Cheap interior
Not easy to find a good one
Probably not very relaxing on long journeys

How do you think this car compares to its direct competition?

Well, it's competition kinda resume to the Impreza and IMO the Lancer alway got the edge

Conclusion

Many ppl don't like turboed cars. So do I, if given the choice I'd still take a vocal NA engine anyday, but once in a while it's just enlightening to floor a car which still has some turbo lag that let you full appreciate a mighty turbo shove. I already experimented a stock EVO VIII's kick and definitely those extra 60 horses make a HUGE difference.