For fans of the mad old Japanese cars, it’s heartening to see the tradition still alive with cars like the GR Corolla Morizo and Yaris Rovanpera. It’s hard to imagine many folk were calling for a two-seat, five-door Corolla - probably the same amount as were out there for a Drift Moded Yaris - but now they’re in the world it’d be sad not to have them. Even if they’ll probably never be seen in the UK. As enthusiasts, it’s just nice to know that some of the old silliness is out there somewhere.
The history of the trick Japanese Domestic Market special stretches back decades now, the endless tinkering and optimisation of iconic performance cars making for some unforgettable limited editions along the way. Mitsubishi were masters of the craft, new Evos seemingly revealed most months as they’d found some way to liberate additional power or make the chassis even more responsive. That there was a UK-bound car called a Lancer Evo IX MR FQ-360 by HKS (perhaps one of the best made) tells you how crazy things became; surely only the Mitsubishi Evo could have a version literally called ‘Extreme’.
The RS Evos, of which this is one, were never officially imported to the UK, deemed too raw for our tastes. They were stripped-out and hardcore versions of already fairly uncompromising cars, so it’s easy to understand the logic. However, as the forbidden fruit for enthusiasts, they have always held an additional appeal over the Evos we know and love here. Could the best really be made even better?
This one isn’t quite as barren as some, specced from the factory with the alloy wheels, air con and Brembo brakes. It’s only been in the UK six months with one owner, in which time it’s been treated to new (and better) brakes and pads, a fresh exhaust, a wheel refurb and head unit. The underneath is immaculate, as is the sparse interior, and the original seats are included in the sale for the full RS effect if desired.
Take a little look at the back, too, and note the ‘RS-360’ badge in the style associated with the FQ models. It was never an official derivative, but this particular Evo is a little more powerful than standard (without changing anything too obvious), and the owner wanted a badge that fitted with the rest of the car. It’s a nice touch - and a hugely exciting prospect.
Still with fewer than 60,000 miles and with the recent money spent, this VII looks like a great way into the Evo experience without the premium attached to earlier iterations or UK market cars. It’s for sale at £25k - an equivalent VI might be £15k more. And it’ll still exhilarate like little else vaguely practical, even those brilliant little Toyotas. Probably why we still love the JDM special, all these years later.
SPECIFICATION | MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION VII
Engine: 1,997cc, four-cyl turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280@6,500rpm (standard)
Torque (lb ft): 282@3,500rpm (standard)
MPG: 26.2
CO2: 257g/km
Year registered: 2002
Recorded mileage: 56,000
Price new: £29,995 (2002, UK standard car)
Yours for: £24,995
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