http://www.evolutionm.net/models/evo/pdf/usevotechmanual.php

This has been sent to the dealers and shows some good undisguised pics of the Evo 8.
Sounds like it'll be an expensive car to maintain! See the last 2 pages.

Regardless of maintenence (though I'm sure it might be expensive, given the boost on the turbo..), it's an ugly car with poor materials.

If they put the soul of that though, into the RX-8 and kept it RWD and NA, then I'd be a very happy camper :)

"Funky yet functional retro boxy look"
"Its size and design make it look like a tuner sedan with a gregarious body kit"

I think this is the polite way of saying it looks like shit!
:p

A well opt. one will run $32 Grand US and it well not carry Mits Yaw control or split diff either so WRX is looking like the affordable one out of the 2.

Originally posted by Hercules
If they put the soul of that though, into the RX-8 and kept it RWD and NA, then I'd be a very happy camper :)
The soul of that car IS the turbo, without it you just have an ugly, slow economy car...

Regardless of maintenence (though I'm sure it might be expensive, given the boost on the turbo..), it's an ugly car with poor materials.

That's pretty much exactly why I don't think the EVO will make it in our country. For above 30 grand, there is very little about the EVO's interior that says you're driving a car with any kind of class--regardless of how it performs. Mainstream Americans that are going to spend that kind of money on a car and are looking for real performance usually want an interior that speaks louder than, let's say, Honda Civic Si. There will always be a niche of followers that will buy that thing for straight-out performance, but I don't think that thing carries the "whole package" to make it successful on any kind of large scale. I know it's only limited production and all, but even as a halo car the EVO is so ugly I can't even see those mainsteamers looking to buy a Mitsu. (and could afford it) would give it even a second glance.

A word about their reliability: When I was in Germany, I was looking at some EVO VII's, on the showroom floor (they weren't called Lancers, they were called Black Diamonds). While the rest of the Mitsu's came with the standard with a roughly 3yr/30k mi. warranty the EVO came with a 3 month/~5k mi warranty. I shit you not. That is how much faith the manufacturer puts in that car.

A word about styling: Even toned down, the styling caters to the ricers. At a 30k+ price tag, most ricers won't be able to afford the EVO. Those that can, I would believe would look elsewhere. Of course, this is all opinion, but we shall see when the EVO is launched how successful it really is.