Now Mitsubishi fans can hear, see and say Evo
First Published: The Sydney Morning Herald
Friday, June 2, 2000
After years of frustration and battling red tape, the answer to the
super-quick WRX STi is finally coming here - in time for the Sydney Motor
Show. Joshua Dowling reports.
At Mitsubishi, it is better late than never. Just as Subaru is about to
unveil the second generation WRX, Mitsubishi's equivalent is finally heading
to Australia.
The long-awaited Lancer Evolution VI (pictured) should be here in time for
the Sydney Motor Show in October. Only 100 will be imported, priced at
$79,990 plus on-road costs.
But they won't be badged as Lancers, nor will they wear the rally car's
go-faster stripes and decals.
The model, known as the "Makinen edition" in Japan after Mitsubishi's
four-time world rally champion, Tommi Makinen, will be called the Mitsubishi
Ralliart Evolution VI in Australia to comply with strict import regulations.
For the same reason, the car will not be sold here through Mitsubishi
dealers, but through the maker's motorsport division, Ralliart.
The cars are due to be built at Mitsubishi's Ralliart factory in Japan in
September. Colour choices are red (35), white (32), silver (28) and black
(5).
Each will be numbered to add to its collectability and to identify it from
unofficial imports. Despite costing almost $20,000 more than the Subaru WRX
STi and twice the price of a standard WRX, all 100 Mitsubishis are expected
to be sold before they arrive.
The lack of a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive sports sedan has been the source
of much frustration for Mitsubishi in Australia. For the past six years it
watched the runaway success of the Subaru WRX from the sidelines.
Mitsubishi axed its WRX equivalent in 1995 - just as sales of the Subaru
started to rocket.
The "Evo VI" may have been a long time coming, but it should be worth the
wait for enthusiasts.
The Subaru WRX STi has been critically acclaimed as a "giant killer",
"Porsche eater" and "V8 beater" but overseas experts have rated the
Mitsubishi as better than the Subaru.
In magazine road tests, the Evolution accelerated from rest to 100 km/h in
5.0 seconds and has a handling edge over the Subaru thanks to a more
sophisticated suspension system.
Like the STi, the Mitsubishi has a 2.0-litre, turbocharged engine with 206kW
but - because the car is is a popular choice for world rally competition -
there is raft of go-faster parts from Ralliart which can give the car a 30
percent power boost.
The Australian version will be extremely well equipped with dual airbags,
anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels, Momo leather steering wheel and Recaro seats
with "Makinen" embroidery.
The queue starts here
--membersozdat-------------------------------------------------------
OZDAT Mailing List Please Note:-
Send (un)subscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Send submissions to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
No unauthorised redistribution of this email
http://www.datascribe.com.au/ozdatonline/index.htm
http://www.datascribe.com.au/ozdatonline/listindex.html
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
---------------------------------------------------------------------
