LA Auto Show: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for U.S. Market Debuts

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3, 2003; In a supercharged debut befitting a pop icon, the 2003 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show hosts the reveal of the high-performance Lancer Evolution sedan by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) set to arrive in U.S. showrooms during February of 2003. This model, previously unavailable in North America, has come to represent the distilled essence of the Mitsubishi Motors brand since 1992. The arrival of Lancer Evolution answers the persistent demands of enthusiasts who have hungered for this version of the popular new Lancer sedan. The car's launch is supported by the introduction of the Ralliart performance brand in the U.S., the expansion of the winning Mitsubishi motor sports program and starring roles in an upcoming Hollywood sequel. One of four all-new products that Mitsubishi Motors will launch in North America in 2003, the Lancer Evolution triggers the company's march toward a fifth consecutive year of record sales in the United States. Lancer Evolution: It's Here! The magnificent Lancer Evolution model that will appear in U.S. showrooms offers enthusiast drivers a thrilling turbocharged, full-time all-wheel-drive, four-passenger sedan with superior acceleration and handling capabilities. "The arrival of the Lancer Evolution allows Mitsubishi to offer its youthful, spirited buyers a unique, very capable, performance vehicle with a motor sports pedigree. It is a product that represents the essence of our brand," said Pierre Gagnon, chairman and chief executive officer, MMNA. "With its introduction in the United States, we expect the Lancer Evolution sedan to create heightened interest in the Mitsubishi brand and the rest of the fine product line-up." Engineers, experienced rally drivers and designers involved in creating the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution sedan drew heavily on the vehicle's championship experience in motor sports to deliver a car that was fast, durable, and incredibly fun-to-drive. The Lancer Evolution combines surreal road holding, shocking acceleration, purposeful styling, near-telepathic responses and a sense of control found only in exotic sports cars three times the price. The engine is a powerful, highly refined 271 horsepower turbocharged and intercooled version of the venerable 4G63 that has powered every version of Lancer Evolution sedan. The U.S.-specification Lancer Evolution sedan offers amazing road-holding capability thanks to its full-time all-wheel-drive system that utilizes a viscous coupling center differential and a rear limited slip differential. The vehicle is equipped with large Brembo® brakes that offer the braking finesse to match the vehicle's highly tuned drivetrain, and seemingly electromagnetic handling capability. Already the darling of enthusiasts and gamers, this unrivaled compact, super-sedan speaks volumes to Mitsubishi's technological prowess, and World Rally Championship winning heritage. Evolution is where Mitsubishi Motors has been and where it is going in 2003. Ralliart Comes To U.S. As a complement to Lancer Evolution's introduction in North America and satisfying a growing demand here for quality performance and cosmetic parts, Mitsubishi Motors announced at the 2003 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show that it will make available competition-tested Ralliart brand parts for U.S. consumers at qualifying dealerships in 2003. Since 1984, Ralliart has been the authentic worldwide performance brand of Mitsubishi Motors. Aerodynamic, power enhancing, and handling performance upgrades will be included in the Ralliart product line that will allow Mitsubishi owners to customize their particular vehicle with high-quality, dealer-supported parts. Special Ralliart editions of Lancer and other popular Mitsubishi Motors models also will be made available beginning in 2003. Mitsubishi Motor Sports For 2003, Lancer Evolution will lead a greatly expanded all-new U.S. motor sports team that will contest the Sports Car Club of America's premiere rally series: the 2003 SCCA ProRally Manufacturers Championship. Previously known as Team Mitsubishi, the new team will now be called Mitsubishi Motor Sports, reflecting the U.S. SCCA ProRally team's new global status in Mitsubishi Motors' worldwide commitment to racing success. This year, two Open Class Lancer Evolutions will be driven by proven champions -- David Higgins and Lauchlin O'Sullivan. Higgins was the winner of the 2002 SCCA ProRally Open Class Driver's Championship, the 2002 British Rally Championship production crown and the Rally of Great Britain Group N championship. O'Sullivan was the winner of the 2002 SCCA ProRally Group 2 Manufacturers' and Drivers' Championship. The 2003 ProRally championship will consist of nine events, spanning the United States and beginning this month through October. The highlight event will take place in June at the Pike's Peak International Hill Climb. O'Sullivan is looking to better his 3rd place finish at last year's event. Celebrity Sighting: Lancer Evolution VII Mitsubishi Motors has chosen the 2003 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, located in the glamour capital of the world, to announce that Universal Pictures has cast Lancer Evolution VII, the forerunner of the model being introduced in the U.S. and the Eclipse Spyder in starring roles for the studio's "The Fast and the Furious 2," which premieres across North America on June 6. Mitsubishi Motors also announced it is teaming up with Universal as the exclusive automotive sponsor of the highly anticipated sequel. The Lancer Evolution VII and Eclipse Spyder share screen time in producer Neal Moritz's follow-up to a film that grossed $206 million in the worldwide box office and stoked international interest in the street racing scene. This latest cinematic production puts key characters in situations that flatter the two cars' high-performance capabilities, stylish design and aftermarket appeal. As the exclusive automobile sponsor of "The Fast and the Furious 2," Mitsubishi Motors will offer promotional tie-ins involving its national dealership network and feature the two Mitsubishi cars used during filming of the movie at select auto shows. Montero 20th Anniversary Special Edition Mitsubishi Motors has chosen Los Angeles as the venue to mark the auto show debut of the 20th Anniversary Mitsubishi Montero. Over the past 20 years, the Montero, Mitsubishi's luxury S.U.V flagship, has carved out a niche among S.U.V. enthusiasts. This specially equipped, limited edition vehicle commemorates the 20-year anniversary of Montero's first appearance in showrooms. The current Montero's appeal results from its blend of distinctive styling, versatile seating, and standard luxury features, all offered in an off-road capable design that has dominated recent editions of the strenuous Dakar rally. Among other amenities, the 20th Anniversary Montero model adds exterior refinements, special exterior colors, a rear sport spoiler and exclusive Euro-sport alloy wheels.