Mitsubishi Launches Lancer Evolution VIII MR

Press Release

Hi-Performance 4WD Sports Sedan

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced that the Lancer Evolution VIII MR1 high-performance sports sedan will go on sale at dealerships throughout Japan on February 13. The new series is offered in GSR, RS 5M/T and RS 6M/T trim levels, with prices ranging from 2,740,000 yen up to 3,398,000 yen. MMC is targeting sales of 3,000 units. The Lancer Evolution series went on sale in the United States for the first time in January 2003 where it immediately proved a great success claiming two major accolades in being named 2004 Car of the Year by Automobile Magazine and by Sport Compact Car Magazine. Sales of the series began in Europe in January this year and Germany's Sport Auto magazine recently chose the car as its Sportiest Car 2003. Lancer Evolution VIII MR builds on this reputation, pushing the performance envelope even further. It is the first production model in Japan to use a lightweight aluminum roof panel. Other distinguishing features include exclusive Bilstein shock absorbers developed jointly with Bilstein, and BBS lightweight forged alloy wheels (factory-fitted option). The turbocharged engine is tuned to deliver maximum power over the mid-to high-rev band and generates 2.0-liter class-topping torque of 40.8kg-m (400N-m) at 3500 rpm. Detail improvements to the ACD + Super AYC + Sports ABS electronic all-wheel drive control system realize a more natural and better-mannered driving feel and a closer man-machine interaction for true driving pleasure of the highest quality. MMC retired its works team from the World Rally Championship for the 2003 season to concentrate on developing a new WR Car and rebuilding its motor sport organization around a new subsidiary, MMSP GmbH. The company returned to WRC competition at the 2004 Rallye Monte Carlo in January when the new Lancer WRC04 finished a very creditable sixth on its first outing. Once it receives FIA homologation, the Lancer Evolution VIII MR is expected to provide the base vehicle for professional and amateur competitors alike in motor sport events around the world, the Production Car World Rally Championship included.

Exterior

Evolution VIII MR sees no changes in body design over its predecessor but is distinguished by new coloring and exclusive styling trim that accentuate its aggressive ultra-performance machine looks. Matt-black headlamp and rear combination lamp extensions tighten up the facial features front and rear. Turquoise-blue lenses in the projector low-beam lights located outboard in the headlamp units also give accent to the car's aggressive lines. The outboard faces of the rear-deck spoiler plates use a dark gray finish close to the color of the carbon wing, replacing the body color-keyed treatment on Evolution VIII. The "Lancer" emblem at the bottom left and the "Evolution" part of "Evolution MR" at the bottom right of the trunk lid use a dark gray finish, while the "MR" letters are finished in red. The brilliant mirror finish to the muffler tail pipe adds a touch of quality and a highlight to the rear. (All models except the RS 5M/T) Tremendously strong fin-design BBS forged alloy road wheels (factory-fitted option) each weigh 1.25 kg less than the standard wheels. The wheels are finished in a dark gray finish that is coordinated to the overall color scheme. The vortex generator, an innovation in aerodynamics technology and offered as a dealer-fitted accessory, creates small vortices at the trailing end of the roof that reduce drag and increase the downforce generated by the rear-deck spoiler. The generator vanes are finished in the same dark gray as the outer panels of the spoiler. Evolution VIII MR is offered in four body colors that blend tastefully with the exterior styling trim and accessories: Medium-purplish Gray Mica (new); Cool Silver Metallic and Solid Red, which take the MMC corporate colors for their motif; and White Solid, the traditional color for competition models. (RS is available in White Solid only.)

Interior

Interior trim is coordinated in dark tones to present a sporty interior that projects the same aggressive and ultra-performance image as the exterior. Retaining the off-black monotone keynote color of its predecessor, Evolution VIII MR uses carbon-finish dash ornamentation and a no-frills black center panel to accent the mechanical, function-oriented nature of the cockpit. The Momo steering wheel has matt-black spokes and a dark titanium-finish center ring that are coordinated with the dashboard color. The Recaro front seats are upholstered in an elegant black monotone suede-look non-slip material. The shoulder support uses a knit fabric with a distinctive high-grip dimple finish that provides better location. The trim uses the same suede-look fabric as the seats to produce a well-coordinated interior. The floor-console is embellished with a classy stainless steel plate embossed with the "Lancer Evolution MR" emblem. As with the trunk lid emblem, "MR" is finished in red to stamp its presence more vividly on the interior.