First look: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII

With hot four-door, four-cylinder cars becoming more and more popular on what was once an area dominated by performance V8s, most Japanese marques are keen to stake their place in this boom market.

Performance is what punters are after and for a much-reduced price, the new breed of performance fours are just as powerful, if not moreso, than their exotic rivals.

Subaru has its undeniably potent STi WRX, Nissan the new turbo-charged Nismo-enhanced 200SX (aka the Silvia in Japan) and Honda has the amazingly light Integra Type-R.

Far be it from Mitsubishi to fall behind the times, the automaker has released an all-new Lancer.

Rather than unveil the stock factory models, Mitsubishi went straight to the top with the turbocharged Evo VII Lancer.

The new design is definitely a step up from the ageing look of the Evo VI Lancer.

The tail end has been redesigned with wider tail lights and a new Evo-styled spoiler, where the front-end has a more angular profile with a tasty new grille design.

The mesh vents in the bonnet are still there, identifying the car as a true Evo model and the intercooler positioned below the grill (for optimum cooling) tells you that this isn't a standard family run-about. In all, the car isn't dramatically different from last year's model but there are enough changes in there to keep the range fresh.

But it's not just visual styling that has evolved.

One of the coolest aspects of the new Evo VII is the ACD, or Active Centre Differential. This new device also takes advantage of an electronically controlled clutch to provide unparalleled grip. Torque distribution between wheels is also improved with the ACD.

Together with a neat Active Yaw Control system, heavy acceleration is handled more efficiently, meaning traction and handling under power is improved, too. Less body roll has been achieved through a more rigid chassis and frame adding to an already nimble vehicle.

All this advanced engineering will be needed, too, as the little Evo VII packs quite a punch. Pumping out 383.0 Nm @3500 rpm, it kicks the WRX STi out the door with room to spare.

All this torque is made available courtesy of a very hot 2.0-litre inline four block. Complete with turbocharger and intercooler, the car puts out 206 kW @6500 rpm. Add to this a redline of 9000rpm and you have yourself one pretty damned impressive short-wheel based 4WD rocket.

While more powerful than the 2002 STi, it has one less gear. The five-speed transmission is still more than adequate to put power to the ground, as well as providing smooth gear shifts. Top speed has been electronically limited to 180km.

With vented 17" discs on the front wheels and 16" on the rear, the Evo VII has some serious braking power. Unfortunately, like the new model WRXs, the Evo VII has gained weight. Albeit only slightly more than 40kg, the extra flab is likely to decrease performance somewhat. Though no 0-100km/h specs have been released, expect the car to break five seconds.

Set for a release this quarter in Japan, the car is likely to be a grey import for Australian buyers for some time.

If Mitsubishi decides to officially bring out the new Evo VII in Australia, it will probably go for a little under six-figures.

As it stands, the new Lancer Evo VII should put Mitsubishi in a great position when the World Rally Championships commence and should give auto enthusiasts a great track-day tool. It also gives us a glimpse at what the new standard Lancer will look like. In all, this is a positive start for Mitsubishi in the new year.