According to this article, because of Canada's bumper standards, we won't get the Lancer EVO until the next redesign.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/021024-1.htm

I actually feel good about that

SOmewhere the government put safety ahead of other concerns and didn't follow the US path.

If for any reason they decided the bumpers should have certain specs they have to stick with it.

Amin

Amin, it's not because the bumpers are unsafe, it's because the FMIC would get crushed in a low-speed impact, which would cost insurance companies $$.

What I don't understand is how the US can make it work, and Canada can't.

It pisses me off b/c I was serious about getting an EVO or WRX next year.

I know it is not really passenger safety it is just that the feds stuck to their word.

The car should suffer no damage in low end crash, so it shouldn't.

amin

It will be twin SMIC units. Gotta admit I am really not surprised - just add it to the list of other cars we never got or were late...

- Isuzu V-CROSS
- MR2 Spyder
- 300Z TT Spyder
- Mercury Capri Spyder
- 240SX Spyder

etc...

we probably should be happy we even got DSMs

The EVO VIII has a revised bumper and will be able to fit the front mount, saw it in same japanese magazine a while ago. I heard most likely the VIII will be the first EVO to reach the states too

The US website is showing a countdown of some 65 days from now, for them to have the EVO... their pictures, show an Evo6. They still haven't said which one, anywhere that I can see.

Bumpers: Canada used to have less restrictions than the US on bumpers, so I'm not so sure on that one.

A new car, has to have so many of them wrecked in Gov't tests.... so if there is any delay in Canada, I suspect the hesitation of Mitsu to wreck a bunch of Evo7's, just to be replaced by an Evo8.

(being still in basic start-up mode in Canada and all)

Just my $.02...

PS: Does anyone have a link to the R&T article about the Evo8?

not releasing the EVO to Canada will hurt Mitsu in more ways than you'd think.

it's rally nemesis, Subaru, will be releasing the WRX STi in canada in the spring, and it gets another body change, the headlights will look more like the 2003 porsche 911 headlights. and the fact that Subaru will have the Legacy STi(H-6, twin turbo)in north america soon doesn't help mitsu either(how many different cars can you get in the EVO package???). and lets not forget the other vehicules that can be bought in a STi package: the Forrester, the legacy wagon, the BAJA, and the just released STI Outback.(all turbocharged with STI spec. Turbos, the smallest being equiv to a big 16G) were sure to get all of these soon.

i just wonder how mitsu thinks it can compete with a car that will always be one step ahead. in japan, it's mitsu that has the advantage, but since the WRX STi will be landing in Canada before the first EVO does, i think mitsu will have alot of work to do.

and sorry to rain on your parades, but Super Battle in japan tested the cars side by side a couple of weeks ago and the WRX STi version 8(the one that we get in the spring)beat the EVO VIII in everything but 0-60.(4.5sec/EVO vs. 4.7/WRX) and Subaru might allow the Adjustible Differential(and it might be electronic ) to be an option(a very expensive one). the EVO only has 3 differential settings(snow, tarmac, gravel), the subaru adjustible diff. allows you to specifically adjust the amount of power that goes to your front and rear axles.(you can go as far as 35%front/65% back and vice versa).

im glad were finally getting the EVO, but it doesn't help if their biggest competition is always steps ahead of them.

Andrew: They don't mention the Evo8 because the US model will be simply called the Evolution ( because VIII means nothing to the new US market )

Porsche headlights - I just don't see the resemblance. Yeah the new Legacy twin-turbo sounds killer - S4 step aside please. Let us have the links you have some good info there.

Ok, so Dave... you're saying that the Evolution that the US is about to get, is INDEED the Evo8?

Do we have this in print anywhere?

Hang on, just found it:
From R&T...

Mitsubishi Evolution VIII unveiled!

Here is the first unofficial image of Mitsubishi's upcoming Lancer Evolution VIII. As you can see, it looks very similar to the Evo VII, with only the face undergoing any noticeable change. The most significant difference is a new two-section grille, which will serve as a trademark for all future Mitsubishi cars, that sits between small round headlights.

The Evo VIII (the official name has yet to be decided) will continue with the Evo VII's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (known as the 4G63), but the engine has been massaged to provide better throttle response and be ultimately capable of generating more horsepower. When the car first goes on sale in January, the 4G63 will produce about 275 bhp, but according to inside sources, it's now easily capable of pumping out 300-plus bhp. This, no doubt, in preparation to counter a potential high-horsepower Subaru WRX STi, which is scheduled to appear sometime next year.

The Evo VIII will also come equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and an advanced all-wheel-drive system similar to the one found in the World Rally Championship car. Prices have yet to be finalized, but we're expecting something in the neighborhood of $28,000. — SM

So, now we just have to wait for the Canadian Gov't to wreck a bunch of them, and then we can have them.

-snicker-

Ok, I'm tired of waiting... just sent a letter to MMSC to ask them formally what their intentions are.

We'll see if they even respond...

While you're at it, ask them if the EVOs are going to get crankwalk.

Thanx Jeff, I needed a good laugh...

The WRX STi will be min. 280hp with bigger Brembo brakes, wheels, tires, seatgs... Pontiac is actually working on their own version based on the WRX. GM owns 25% of Subarau.

Other GM news: Expect a hypo Vibe soon, maybe even AWD.
Pontiac GTO 350hp min. V8
Saturn ION hypo, 200hp+ & lowered.
Cadillac CTS V series, 400hp V8.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered on this sad day in automotive history...

In other GM related news, sources say that the Pontiac Aztec sucks.

I guess to handle the legacy, they could bring over the the twin turbo galant!!! Man waiting in anticipation really sucks, I really hope that they do something right cause if they don't, mitsu will be out of business in Canada fast than we know

Most sources indicate about 265hp. In Japan it's closer to 280hp but they have 100 octane gas. In the UK it is 265hp.

The WRX will use a larger IHI turbo instead of the Mitsubishi supplied one. The rumours about Pontiac (or other divisions of GM) sharing platforms with Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru) has been discredited by both companies, at least in the near future.

Umm...the Vibe is available with AWD now...although not with the 180hp motor. The wimpy GM drivetrain can't handle it.

David, beware if you see an Avalanche approaching.
Next time take a cab.

The Vibe does come AWD now but not with the 180hp, the hypo version will be over 180 and it may have AWD, the drivetrain is actually Toyota (Matrix).

I know a guy in GM Performance that has a 350hp Aztek AWD.

The Pontiac Sunfire FWD drag car does 8s on the 2.2L Ectoec, de-stroked to 2.0L and its Uni-body, not tube framed.

The hypo Saturn ION will be 220-250hp stock.

Ha yeah beware one of those huge plastic body panels may come flying off and damage my metal car.

Seriously though why doe GM have to touch the WRX, add ribbing, a red dash, button on the steering wheel, velour interior and extend the front end by 18 inches?

Are they all bent out of shape cause the firechicken is gone?