The Evolution (Evo for short) MR is expedcted to hit showrooms in June of this year. They will be wearing a base price of $38,290. The MR features more user technology and a broader market appeal than the entry level GSR.

The new Evo MR features a 6-speed Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission. Other new features include an optional technology package that nudges the price skyward to $40,840. This package includes a 30GB navigation system with music server, 640 watt Rockford Fosgate Premium Sound System, Sirius Satellite Radio, and FAST Key entry, which allows the user to unlock the doors and start and stop the engine simply by carrying the key fob.

“The added capability and functionality of the new Lancer Evolution vehicles make them a more viable option for everyday driving, while maintaining the rally-inspired heritage that has made the series a global performance car icon,” said Dan Kuhnert, executive vice president of sales and marketing for MMNA.

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Post tags: 2008, Evo, Evolution, Lancer, Mitsubishi, MR

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German luxury car tuner Novitec’s Ferrari division Novitec Rosso has upped the bar again for those seeking the baddest street Ferrari money can buy. Novitec, who has been customizing luxury cars like Alfa Romeo’s, Fiat’s and Lancia’s since 1989, branched in 2004 to form a division that specialized in custom tuning Ferrari’s. Its goal was to create cars that where not flashy and stylish but that where performance oriented.

The 2008 Ferrari f430 Novitec Bi Compressor Evoluzione is an improvement on the already powerful and nimble F430 Bi compressor. Novitec starts with a F430 straight from the hands of Ferrari and begins building what can easily be called one of the meanest most functional street/track cars. The Enzo challenging power is produced by using twin inter-cooled superchargers with upgraded air induction and modified ECU programming. All this culminates into a pavement shredding 656 horse power at a stratospheric 8,200rpms and 488 Ft/lbs of torque at 6,100rpms. Combined with light weight carbon fiber parts and a heavy right foot the Evoluzione will reach 60mph in 3.7 seconds (Just a tail wind slower than the Enzo’s 3.6 second 0-60 times) and combined with modified gearing Novitec Rosso says it will hit a top speed of 216mph.

Bringing all that speed to a halt is done with relative ease with the Novitec tune braking system. Novitec ditched the factory Ferrari brakes in favor of 15 inch rotors and 6 piston calipers at all four corners. Combined with braided brake lines and and brake vents, the Evoluzione slows fast enough to pull the air out of your lungs. Suspension upgrades, although not extensive, include, double adjustable coil-overs with reservoir shocks at each corner front and rear. Novitec sport springs are added to lower the car and improve handling. Rounding out the suspension upgrades on the Evoluzione the tuned 430 gets reinforced anti roll bars front and rear and your choice of anodized aluminum wheel spacers ranging from 10mm to 30mm for added track and stability.

With a cockpit that would be right at home in any track ready car, the Evoluzione doesn’t sacrifice comfort to achieve its performance but heated seats and satellite navigation won’t help you get around your local road course therefore you won’t be seeing them in anything Novitec gets its hands on. All in all this car is amazing both in its styling, which is for function more than form, and awesome power. I look forward to Novitecs cars every year and with each new model Ferrari releases I anxiously sit and wait to see just what the masters at Novitec Rosso will do to make it even better. Modified Luxury and Exotics magazine summed up driving the twin supercharged F430 by saying, “It’s a humbling experience to drive a car that can outperform your own desires, but it’s not without it’s rewards.” I couldn’t agree more.

© Doc8224 for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 2008, Evoluzione, F430, Ferrari, Novitec, twin superchrger

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Ever since the mid-90’s Subaru and Mitsubishi have been going at it in the performance saloon market. In the late-90’s both manufactures took their rivalry to the dirt, providing cars for the World Rally Championship for both privateers and manufacture sponsored teams. In early 2001 Subaru brought the WRX Sti to American soil, and for a few short years it reigned supreme as the average mans four door performance car. Just two years later Mitsubishi followed suit and brought their Evo to America as well, and since then these two Japanese automotive performance companies have been duking it out on American soil.

And now they are at it again. Subaru and Mitsubishi have both released information on their latest performance versions of their respective vehicles, Mitsubishi with the Evolution X MR (Mitsubishi Racing) and Subaru with the WRX STi Spec C. Both Subaru and Mitsubishi have made slight modifications to provide a more edgy United States version of their latest models.

When it comes to the WRX STi Spec C, Subaru decided that it needed a diet. They managed to shave roughly 155 pounds off of the original STi with modifications such as a lightweight roof, thinner glass and a compact battery. They also reworked the rear of the car – making a good portion of it out of aluminum and reducing the size of the fuel tank. Subaru decided to not touch the power plant for the time being, leaving the Spec C with the standard turbocharged flat-four backed by a six speed transmission.

Mitsubishi on the other hand decided that tweaking the turbocharged 2.0 liter engine thats in the Evo X MR was the best way to go. They managed to squeeze twenty more break-horsepower out of the four-cylinder engine, pushing it up to 305 total horsepower. From there Mitsubishi sent the MR to there tuning center to stiffened up the car and give it better handling and over all performance. Even thought the MR isn’t the most powerful Evo on the market, Mitsubishi feels that with its small engine modifications that it is on par with the WRX STi.

Both the Spec C and MR received some small visual modifications. The Subaru is equipped with a rally-inspired roof scoop as well as some small changes to the body-kit. Mitsubishi saw it necessary to redesign the front bumper of the car, providing more, larger air ducts to help improve cooling as well as a revised spoiler on the rear of the car.

Subaru and Mitsubishi appear to have built wonderful cars and we cannot wait to see them hit the pavement. Both cars are expected to be released late 2008, with price tags close to $40,000.

© omz for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 10, 2008, Evo, Evolution, Impreza, Lancer, Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi racing, MR, Spec C, STi, Subaru, Wrx, X

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