Tetsuo_Shima
In Cryo Sleep
So, recently Mitsubishi and Subaru have released the newest incarnations of their WRC-winning (and, thus, rival) car models - The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, and the Subaru Impreza WRX 2008
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
This is actually a bit of a backtrack on Mitsubishi's part - they stated that the well-established Lancer Evo series would finally come to an end with the release of the Evo IX, but here they are once again with a new flagship model. I'm personally quite pleased that they've gone back on their decision, the place just wouldn't be the same without it (because we can all do with boy-racers cutting up our roads in rally-spec AWDs
), and maybe I plan to buy one myself at some point
Anyway, there are several things I like about the new model. The first is that the new facelift looks amazing, the front grill has a sort of Nissan Skyline-GTR look about it, and the twin rear exhausts look neat as; however, it has lost a bit of its trademark boxy shape, so you can hardly call it the wolf in sheeps clothing anymore.
The performance is also pretty spantacular, you're looking at a 0-60 time of around 5 seconds, which is phenomenal for a car in the 20-30 grand price bracket with a 2 litre engine (then again, the turbocharged, 4WD Lancer Evo series has always been lightening-quick off the mark). Although there are no quoted figures for the top speed, I reckon they aren't going to gear it for anywhere above 150.
Quality.
Subaru Impreza WRX 2008
I must say, I'm not very impressed with the look of this one at all. It looks more like an exec saloon as opposed to a gravel-eating rally monster, the interior just demonstrates the same. And what is with the hatchback? Why do away with the awesome WRX Wagon? Why, WHY?!?! It's like an Astra VXR with a change of clothes - not impressed really. I can only hope that the STi version has a few improvements, at least aesthetically. The engine sounds alright, though. 2.5 litre with a decent amount of horses, but I don't quite get the automatic version. Oh, I see. American markets. Damn. I hope they don't dumb down the new Skyline GT-R for the yanks ...
Anyway, the decision for me has to be the Lancer at this point, it looks like they're trying to take the Impreza in a whole-new direction which doesn't really suit me much. Stick with your '95 WRX STis for now.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
This is actually a bit of a backtrack on Mitsubishi's part - they stated that the well-established Lancer Evo series would finally come to an end with the release of the Evo IX, but here they are once again with a new flagship model. I'm personally quite pleased that they've gone back on their decision, the place just wouldn't be the same without it (because we can all do with boy-racers cutting up our roads in rally-spec AWDs
), and maybe I plan to buy one myself at some point Anyway, there are several things I like about the new model. The first is that the new facelift looks amazing, the front grill has a sort of Nissan Skyline-GTR look about it, and the twin rear exhausts look neat as; however, it has lost a bit of its trademark boxy shape, so you can hardly call it the wolf in sheeps clothing anymore.
The performance is also pretty spantacular, you're looking at a 0-60 time of around 5 seconds, which is phenomenal for a car in the 20-30 grand price bracket with a 2 litre engine (then again, the turbocharged, 4WD Lancer Evo series has always been lightening-quick off the mark). Although there are no quoted figures for the top speed, I reckon they aren't going to gear it for anywhere above 150.
Quality.
Subaru Impreza WRX 2008
I must say, I'm not very impressed with the look of this one at all. It looks more like an exec saloon as opposed to a gravel-eating rally monster, the interior just demonstrates the same. And what is with the hatchback? Why do away with the awesome WRX Wagon? Why, WHY?!?! It's like an Astra VXR with a change of clothes - not impressed really. I can only hope that the STi version has a few improvements, at least aesthetically. The engine sounds alright, though. 2.5 litre with a decent amount of horses, but I don't quite get the automatic version. Oh, I see. American markets. Damn. I hope they don't dumb down the new Skyline GT-R for the yanks ...
Anyway, the decision for me has to be the Lancer at this point, it looks like they're trying to take the Impreza in a whole-new direction which doesn't really suit me much. Stick with your '95 WRX STis for now.
