A 'Bionic' Lancer for the U.S., Rally Racing, Tuner Candy, Montero Evolution Concept and RPM 7000

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 -- Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. announced today that the Lancer Evolution, a rally-tuned model previously unavailable in North America, will be coming to U.S. showrooms next year. The announcement is sure to please enthusiasts who have hungered for the high-performance version of the popular new Lancer sedan.

Last year, the Lancer badge, already renowned in global markets, burst onto Mitsubishi's North American product line-up to great reviews and strong sales. This compact sedan -- replete with big-car features -- lets customers know that a low sticker price doesn't require a compromise in comfort, fun or durability. Evolution is a standout in the U.S. market's Lancer family.

Lancer Evolution: It's Coming!

The magnificent Lancer Evolution will appear in U.S. showrooms in the spring of 2003. ``The Lancer EVO is our chance to stir the blood of every enthusiast and build our reputation as a major performance player in this country,'' said Pierre Gagnon, president and chief operating officer of MMSA. ``It will cast warm light on every product we sell. When we say we build spirited cars for spirited people, everyone will be listening.''

Building on the Lancer sedan's robustly designed unibody, Mitsubishi's engineers pulled out all the stops, taking ``The Bionic Man'' approach to reinvention of a stronger, faster and smarter performance car. This unrivalled compact, super-sedan speaks volumes to Mitsubishi's technological prowess, and World Rally Championship winning heritage. Expect the Lancer Evolution sedan we'll see in U.S. showrooms to rumble with a 2.0 liter turbocharged, inline-four developing more than 250 rabid horses, gravity-defying four-wheel-drive handling, eye-ball displacing Brembo brakes and a sub-30K sticker price.

Lancer Motorsports

Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. will showcase its resilience, technical expertise and competitive spirit with an expanded motorsports commitment for the 2002 SCCA Pro Rally campaign that will feature the Lancer and its wild Evolution derivative. With Rhys Millen behind the wheel, Mitsubishi Lancers will do battle for the championship of the SCCA's premier rally series in both the Open class with an EVO VII, and the nearer-to-stock Group N class with a modified Lancer sedan.

Tuned Lancers

In the spirit of this LA Lancer celebration, several modified examples of Lancer sedans are on display, and give testament to the compact sedans resounding acceptance by the growing tuner culture. Modern Image, Rhys Millen Racing, and Shawn William are responsible for these Lancer-based creations that show just what the vehicle can become with just the right mechanical and styling brushstrokes. Turbochargers, lowered suspensions, wild graphics, racing bucket seats, roll bars, and lots of attitude are the touches applied to this tuner canvas known as Lancer.

Montero Evolution Concept

A Lancer Evolution cousin, the Montero Evolution Concept, will make its North American debut at the 2002 Los Angeles Auto Show. This concept vehicle summarizes the visual emphasis on passion and driving enthusiasm that will go into every one of Mitsubishi's vehicles as part of the chosen direction of new chief designer Olivier Boulay. The production Montero's elegance is replaced by an inspired and urgent sense of race-ready passion in Paris-Dakar bred Montero Evolution Concept. The athleticism of the design is evident through the chiseled and expressive lines of the concept. Mitsubishi technology appears beneath the alluring skin of this concept with a 3.5 liter V6 MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Lift & timing Electronic Control) engine powering a Super Select 4WD system with AYC (Active Yaw Control) and an ACD (Active Center Differential).

RPM 7000 Concept

Also appearing for the first time in Southern California is the RPM 7000 Concept. The RPM 7000 is a rolling exclamation point of a design that embodies, or rather screams of the sporty image and competitive rally spirit that is Mitsubishi. This vehicle takes the ideology of the wild Lancer Evo series, and blends it in an over-the-top styling exercise that merges S.U.V. with tarmac dancing supercar. More than just a concept bottled up by conventional ``hybrid'' or ``crossover'' labels, the RPM 7000 uses a 315 horsepower all-wheel drive system to bring new levels of jaw-dropping performance to a vehicle that is also at home towing jet-skis.

PUBLISHERS NOTE: Just a few weeks ago I was provided a bright yellow 2002 Lancer to test. My route took me from San Diego up to Orange County and then on to Santa Monica. As you know that area is home to many head turning automobiles...and the Yellow Lancer with the beefed up engine and rally trim held its own in the company of other head turners. I can't wait until I get to drive the EVO!