Mitsubishi Motors Showcases Aftermarket-Tuned Cars and Trucks At SEMA

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4, 2003 -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today debuted the 2004 Lancer Evolution RS, a race- and tuner-ready version of the high-powered, turbocharged, all-wheel-drive sports sedan. "The Evolution RS is designed specifically for racing enthusiasts and hard-core performance tuners," said MMNA design director Dan Sims who introduced the RS, along with several aftermarket modified vehicles, at the 2003 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) tradeshow. "Thanks to its low weight and added limited-slip differential, the RS is ripe for customization," Sims said.

2004 marks the fourth consecutive year that Mitsubishi Motors has hosted an exhibit booth at SEMA. In addition to hosting the worldwide debut of the Evolution RS, this year's exhibit offered show goers modified versions of the all-new 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor, the Lancer Evolution and the Eclipse. Mitsubishis were also the featured vehicles at exhibits throughout the show, including customized Eclipses, Eclipse Spyders, Endeavors and Lancer Evolutions.

Starting with the Lancer Evolution, Toda Racing of Costa Mesa, Calif., transformed this turbocharged all-wheel-drive compact into a high-performance pavement scorcher. The Evolution's interior coddles its passengers in Recaro SRD seats, and protects them with a Cusco seven-point roll cage. Ralliart pedals and shift knob add further sporty touches.

But Toda's real magic happens under the hood, where Toda Racing's 2.3-liter stroker kit, metal head gasket, adjustable cam pulleys, Tomei "mid" camshafts, Apex-i PowerFC engine management system, and XS Engineering turbo and intercooler upgrade come together to generate 480 horsepower. Delivering that power through the transmission is a lightweight flywheel and high-power clutch and pressure plate. The Toda Racing Evolution also features a Fightex coil-over suspension system, Cusco strut bars and front and rear stabilizer bars, and rides on 18-inch WORK Emotion CR wheels wrapped in 235/40R18 Toyo T1S tires.

If 480 horsepower doesn't seem like enough power, then the Lancer Evolution built by Road Race Engineering of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., offers even more. The Road Race Evolution project car features a GReddy turbo, wastegate and exhaust manifold; J&E pistons; HKS cams; adjustable cam gears; an aluminum radiator; an AEM engine management system featuring anti-lag control, tuned intake and exhaust components, and literally dozens of powertrain enhancements that combine to create 520 horsepower through 28 psi of boost.

Import Access.net of Costa Mesa, Calif. transformed their Mitsubishi Endeavor into a rolling home theater. Complete with widescreen television monitors, a CD/MP3/DVD player, in-car cameras, a Rockford Fosgate head unit, dual subwoofers, and a Lighting Audio amplifier, the possibilities obviously don't end with the Endeavor's new factory-optional rear DVD entertainment system.

D3 Automotive Designs of Palos Verdes, Calif., turned an Eclipse into a racecar with the addition of a chassis stiffening kit, six-point roll cage, competition brakes, and literally dozens of other changes. A carbon fiber

hood, stripped interior and lightweight dashboard help this Eclipse achieve a whopping 350 lbs of weight reduction.

Other highlights of the 2003 SEMA show include an Endeavor from Ballistic Unlimited, the custom apparel company; a heavily modified Lancer Evolution from Bozz Performance; a Yokohama Advan Evolution; an Endeavor from leather interior supplier Classic Soft Trim; a Street Concepts Evolution; and a Spyder GTS from R-1 Racing Sports.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport- utility vehicles through a network of nearly 700 dealers throughout North America. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com .