http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/inter/NEWS/0210-03/0271.html

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/inter/NEWS/0210-03/images/0271.jpg


Tokyo, January 2, 2003-Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), in collaboration with its U.S. affiliate Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., today announced it will give the new Lancer Evolution VIII (U.S. market model) its first public showing at the Los Angeles Auto Show which runs from January 2 (January 4 for general public) through 12 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The Lancer Evolution series has evolved over the years as a result of competing in the World Rally Championship and other leading motorsport events worldwide and has attracted a wide following of enthusiast drivers. The production model is currently in its 7th edition in Japan and has been shipped in limited numbers to other world markets by Ralliart (MMC's motorsport affiliate) as a base model for use in competition.

Lancer Evolution VIII marks the introduction of the series in the U.S. market where there has been considerable interest in the series for several years. MMC plans to phase Lancer Evo-lution into its model lineup in other world markets in the near future.

Having commenced shipments of Lancer Evolution VIII to the United States, MMC decided to give the model its world debut at the Los Angeles Show ahead of its unveiling on the Japanese domestic market, scheduled for early 2003.

The U.S. market specification Lancer Evolution VIII derives from the Japanese market Lancer Evolution VII GSR. While sharing major parts and components with the upcoming Japanese market Evolution VIII, the U.S. model has been developed exclusively for the U.S. to meet crashworthiness and emissions requirements, user needs and preferences, and road and traffic conditions in that market. With a price tag of under US$30,000, Lancer Evolution VIII offers unmatched driving pleasure.

couldnt post the whole thing...5000 word limit...

here's the rest


Exterior

Detail improvements for Evolution VIII over Evolution VII include: reduced air resistance; reduced, and optimized balance between, lift characteristics front and rear; improved engine cooling.
The front bumper with integral grille marks the new MMC design identity with a raised triangular base in the center of the grille that is embellished with a chrome silver 3-diamond logo. The bumper also improves intercooler performance with a larger air intake opening on its underside. While conforming to and meeting 2.5 mph impact and other U.S. market regulations and requirements, Evolution VIII is just 80mm longer than VII.
The air outlets in the aluminum engine hood are larger with shape and location optimized to give better radiator cooling performance and to reduce front lift.
The engine undercover features an optimized shape that reduces drag while generating greater downforce and also improves cooling of the drivetrain.
The rear spoiler uses carbon fiber reinforced plastic for both horizontal and vertical wings, a world-first on a production 4-door sedan, to reduce weight. The wing section design has been optimized to generate greater downforce without increasing drag.

Interior

Evolution VIII uses an off-black color scheme and the strategic placement of dark titanium-finish panels to create a functional and sporty interior space.
The sports instrument panel locates the tachometer in the center and features a full-scale speedometer that reads up to 170mph.
Leather trim with black-stitching are used on the 3-spoke MOMOR steering wheel, shift knob, shift lever boot and parking brake grip.
Evolution VIII is fitted with RecaroR front bucket seats developed exclusively for the U.S. market.
Powertrain

Evolution VIII is powered by Mitsubishi's 4G63-type 2.0-liter in-line 4-cylinder DOHC intercooler-turbocharged engine which conforms to Californian LEV1-LEV emission regulations and has been specially tuned for gasoline octane numbers used in the U.S.
Reduced weight and increased strength throughout the powertrain together with improved engine cooling performance result in outstanding dynamic performance, enabling Evolution VIII to boast maxima of 271 hp (275 ps) / 6500 rpm and 273 lb-ft (37.7 kgf-m) / 3500 rpm.
Mated to the powerplant, MMC's proven 5-speed manual transmission features detail improvements to realize slicker and smoother shifting.
The fuel tank has been redesigned to conform with U.S. regulations and capacity has been increased by 5 liters over Evolution VII to 53 liters.
To meet the higher driving speeds common in the United States, the engine uses high performance synthetic oil instead of petroleum oil.
All-wheel drive & brakes

Evolution VIII combines Mitsubishi's full time 4WD system, which uses a viscous limited slip differential in its center differential, with a mechanical LSD on the rear axle to give excellent traction and control for outstanding driving pleasure over all surfaces.
The new model is fitted with Brembo brakes, as used in the series since Evolution V. 17-inch ventilated discs with 4-piston calipers at the front and 16-inch ventilated discs with 2-piston calipers at the rear deliver positive and reassuring stopping power.

Employing a steering angle sensor to detect steering input, the Sports ABS computer regulates braking force at each wheel independently for consistent and predictable braking and control when driving on the edge. EBD optimizes braking force distribution between front and rear wheels to deliver very stable and consistent stopping performance.
Body, suspension, tires

To improve handling characteristics and ride quality, body and suspension stiffness have been uprated through the strategic placement of reinforcements that minimize weight increase. Reinforcements have also been added to conform with U.S. crash regulations.
Suspension is by McPherson strut at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. Optimized damping characteristics combine synergistically with the stiffer body to improve handling stability at the limit, while enhancing the driving experience and the ride quality at all speeds.
Aluminum alloy road wheels are shod with 235/45ZR Advan A046 hi-grip tires developed specially for the U.S. market.
US market sales outline

Launch date: To be phased in from early 2003
Price: Under US$30,000

I didn't read anything about a front LSD in there... NG

How much of a difference would that make in addition to a viscous limited slip differential in its center differential with a mechanical LSD on the rear axle? Serious question.

Originally posted by Cabal
How much of a difference would that make in addition to a viscous limited slip differential in its center differential with a mechanical LSD on the rear axle? Serious question.


someone correct me if i am wrong, but a LSD in the center just changes power distribution from front to back. one on the rear wheels adjusts power to each wheel.

great, they are bringing almost full spec EVO.
271hp is probably due to the US crappy gas.
Brembo, MOMO, and Recaro...everything made it here
and they are giving ADVAN A046 tires.

it's sad but WRX is no match to EVO8, have to wait til STi comes out and then Subaru can compete with EVO.

http://forums.evolutionm.net/showthread.php?threadid=11909

271 HP
$28987 MSRP
No ACD =(
Production limited to 4600 units in North America

Anybody noticed this?
type of Fuel.. 98RON

what????? 98RON is about 96 octane, right?
We can get only 91 octane in California....

hey

go, that has to be a typo. if it isnt, than we are SCREWED in Cali. that hp figure will drop. but it HAS to be a typo or misinfo.

the car sounds promising. i wouldnt buy a first year car again tho.

1 the dealers are going to have a feild day, and charge up the wazoo for these cars.
2 although the car isnt TOO new overall, the tranny and other things will need to be tested to make sure of the quality. i bet the tranny and clutch will be similar to the wrx's.

i am happy to see it finally here, and can't wait to see the STi when it hits our shores...

josh

5-speed, no front LSD, but 271hp... Not bad, I expected worse.

Still looks like a cavalier though

Those drivetrains are tuff. They are battle proven. The clutches are very weak, but the transmissions, or shall we say transaxles, are prettymuch bulletproof.

An open front diff gets a big whopping thumbs down from me. Ofter being spoiled with the sure track in my 6er, I will never revert.

Those cars are going to be balls fast. The reason that they are going to out handle our cars is because of the 245 tires. And they get Yokohama rubber.

I would put money on the fact that the production numbers are going to rise with demand. Just like the WRX numbers did. Those poor souls are going to get jacked by the dealers on the release!

Overall, the car is well worth 29K, but not too much more.

OH YEAH: The Brembo's and Recaro's are pimp shiznit!

Andy

i wonder how much people will pay initially?
perhapse low to mid thirties?

anyhoo..i am sure if WRX owners spent as much money as the EVO costs, then subaru will have a significant edge.
heck, with 6G to play with..i could do a lot

I can't wait to scam a test drive on one of these things.

On Mitsu site

0-60 in under 5 seconds

Nearly 1 G of lateral grip

Woo!

http://www.autoweek.com/specials/2003_la/evo/EVO8_action_015.jpg
http://www.autoweek.com/specials/2003_la/evo/EVO8_action_089.jpg
http://www.autoweek.com/specials/2003_la/evo/EVO8_bty_009.jpg
http://www.autoweek.com/specials/2003_la/evo/EVO8_IP_06.jpg
Starts at $28,987 Without destination.

I know so far the evo 8 will only show in US, but is it possible for evo to come to canada say a year or 2 later?

or can one drive to seattle buy the evo 8 and drive back up to canada... do they let you do that?

98 ron is like 93 octane here

How do they fit 17" discs on that car with only 17" rims..???

Don't tell me they are gunan put dubs on it...

fellas the Evo is NOT a match for the US spec Sti...look elsewhere in i Club and at subarus official Sti site for all the specs

but i saw both cars at the detroit auto show on 1/7 and the Evo looks great--until u see the Sti which looks unbelievably aggressive...edmunds and carpoint have pics

anyway looks are subjective but content is not-
Sti has 2.5l vs 2.0l for Evo
Sti has 3 diffs including a high tech central and front diff vs 2 mech diffs for Evo
Sti has Super Sport ABS currently only available in a few $100+ sports cars
etc etc

STi will be much faster with lots of low end torque..Sti is only 3G more than Evo so its a no brainer-- even the Mitsu official at the show told me they were screwed and miscalculated Subarus move

plus more long term Mitsu does not have a 2.5l engine to compete with Sti...

so if u r a performance car fan and if you dont hate the Sti's looks then forget about the Evo

Could not agree with you more STix3. :D

.5L more displacement
a 6th gear!
300HP vs 271HP!!

It's all about the 2004 STi...
but I still wouldn't mind owning an Evolution...at least for a daily driver. :lol:

Originally posted by StiStiSti
fellas the Evo is NOT a match for the US spec Sti...look elsewhere in i Club and at subarus official Sti site for all the specs

but i saw both cars at the detroit auto show on 1/7 and the Evo looks great--until u see the Sti which looks unbelievably aggressive...edmunds and carpoint have pics

anyway looks are subjective but content is not-
Sti has 2.5l vs 2.0l for Evo
Sti has 3 diffs including a high tech central and front diff vs 2 mech diffs for Evo
Sti has Super Sport ABS currently only available in a few $100+ sports cars
etc etc

STi will be much faster with lots of low end torque..Sti is only 3G more than Evo so its a no brainer-- even the Mitsu official at the show told me they were screwed and miscalculated Subarus move

plus more long term Mitsu does not have a 2.5l engine to compete with Sti...

so if u r a performance car fan and if you dont hate the Sti's looks then forget about the Evo

I posted this else where and I will say it again!!!
Just because the STi will have 300 and 300 does not mean its untouchable.
Jun Tuning built a 2.5l in a STi
Jun Tuning built an 2.0l Evo
When the dust settled on the track the Evo was victorious and the 600 hp 2.5l was licking its wounds.
The minute you under estimate this car you will probably be picking your butt up off the asphalt.
Yes stock for stock its STi but once the mods start its anyones game!!!

JspecGC8 San

The Evo is a great car...just as a Mercedes C Class is quite good on its own but when its compared to a 3 series it pales...perhaps not the ideal comparison but the point is the Sti US Spec is far superior to the Evo US Spec...Evo Japan Spec vs Sti Japan Spec is another matter open to debate...admittedly I have not driven either US spec car but I would be willing to bet my first born that the Evo US Spec will not be a match for the Sti

I do understand your Japanese frustration that us impertinent Americans are finally getting a car that is better than what you chaps have! But c'mon you guys have so many other cool cars that we can only dream about...

the evo looks terrible. i'm so disapointed. the front end looks like its from a pontiac (ewww) and the rear taillights look stupid too.. i hope they come out with some aftermarket parts to make that thing look better.

Open front diffy = :(

What the hell is with that 18mpg city and 26 highway? I've seen RS-Ts with more power get better gas mileage.

I would never ever buy a new car from Mitsubishi. If you even consider it then you've obviously never dealt with those *******s before. If you buy one then good luck ever getting anything fixed without fighting them over it for at least two weeks or longer. Why no RS model Evo7? Its only $6K cheaper to buy one of those in Japan then it is the GSR model. I can make do with roll up windows, no stereo and no A/C.

mine will be here in the end of feb....and I'm paying STICKER, nothing more;) now should I go with black or red?
and I will replace those rear taillights ASAP...but from my personal mechanic he said that the evo will be damn near bullet proof and the manufacturer will be a lil more lenient than subaru when it comes to mods. Subaru pissed me off one too many times for me to go with an STi. Now I have one of the 4600 coming in to the US, and I really can't wait