Wednesday 4th July 2007

New Evo and Scooby STi out testing

The next generation test at the 'Ring

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New Evo X undergoing final testing

Here’re the latest pictures previewing one of the big battles looming within performance motoring.

Both the new Mitsubishi Evo and the forthcoming Subaru Impreza STi have been undergoing testing at the Nurburgring – one virtually showroom ready, the other rather more mysterious...

The protracted saga of the new Evo has been grinding on for a while now, with even the most recent showing at the Geneva Motor Show still being dubbed as a ‘concept’ despite seeming finished. Nevertheless, as these pictures show, the production car is now undergoing final development work with only the lightest of disguises.

RHD Evo braving the weather

Expect Mitsubishi’s latest S-AWC3 four-wheel drive system and MIVEC4 valve control for the famous two litre turbo engine.

The official production car will debut at the Frankfurt motor show before going on sale in the UK in March 2008.

The Scooby is a different tale. This heavily disguised new Impreza looks as if it will be quite different from the regular – and much maligned in the looks department - new WRX Impreza turbo (just launched in Japan, due in the United States, but NOT coming to Britain).

Wide arch STi at the 'Ring

Key features include the heavily blistered wheel arches that we assume hide a wider track, a large rear roof spoiler a quad exhaust pipes.

The new STi should have at least 300bhp from a 2.5 litre ‘boxer’ engine and use the latest version of Subaru’s four wheel drive system.

Looks like the war will continue for some time yet…

More Evo X images:

More Impreza STi images:

 

[dave_Sw1]

would like to have an Evo but the thought of 4500 mile service intervals is a bit frightening!

the scoob seems to have lost the plot, its unlikely to be any cheaper than the old STI so you are going from paying 27k for a fast saloon to paying 27k+ for a hatchback, which is a lot of cash for a small car? seems like they want to give up on the performance market and become more ford focus mainstream boring high volume cars.

[JJ 170]

both disgusting......

[TheKeyboardDemon]

I think the scoob is starting to look frighteningly like a Mondeo now.

[LathamJohnP]

TheKeyboardDemon said:

I think the scoob is starting to look frighteningly like a Mondeo now.

Mondeos aren't THAT ugly, surely?

John

[Mr Whippy]

JJ 170 said:

both disgusting......

Just a bit!

Dave

[JulianHJ]

The Evo looks nice, is the new one still going to have laughable service intervals?

The Scooby?

[Oddball RS]

Can you specify that disguise kit if you by the new Scooby, you know so you can hide at night?

[Mafioso]

I personally think that the pinnacle of the Scoob's looks was with the P1. Now that was a nice car! Father should never have sold it!

[JBishop]

EVO looks ok, front reminds me of an R34 Skyline, new Scooby is hideous though!

[jon-]

[quote]Here’re the latest pictures previewing one of the big battles looming within performance motoring.
[/quote]

One doesn't look like it was designed and built by Kia. There's no battle to be had here.

[ninjaboy]

The new WRX genuinely depresses me when i see it, the old ones were mad looking a gave me hope that cars had'nt all become boring and conformist. The new one says "we don't care about fun anymore, we care about bootspace and appealing to women"

[collateral]

Scooby C pillar and lower looks like a ZR

Evo concept looked much better than that up there ^

[millband]

ninjaboy said:

The new WRX genuinely depresses me when i see it, the old ones were mad looking a gave me hope that cars had'nt all become boring and conformist. The new one says "we don't care about fun anymore, we care about bootspace and appealing to women"

I'm sorry, have I been on the same planet for the last 15 years? Scoobies have ALWAYS looked like knock-offs of cheap eastern tat. Are you telling me that a 1995 UK turbo is some sort of work of art? Or an 01 bugeye?

Come off it. The driving experience is what counts. If all you're interested in the size of the spoiler then you're barking up the wrong tree here.

Steve

[stephen300o]

The Subaru is bad but the Mitsubishi is worse.

[E4UAN]

At least the Evo's maintained a bit of the evil/aggressive look, the Scooby just looks fat and boring. I know what one I'd be going for.

[PhantomPH]

Mafioso said:

I personally think that the pinnacle of the Scoob's looks was with the P1.

I agree.

It's no competition - all Mitsu have to do is price the EVO sensibly and it's game over. Subaru, what have you done???

I say a photograph of the non-EVO'd Lancer in it's new form and even the standard saloon looks great.

[Moi?]

They are BOTH bad! - these "new" designs are further off the mark than last year's ugly cars. There are plenty of creative, gifted designers out there; but maybe they are all on the other side of the planet - they certainly are NOT in Asia. It is too bad, because I'll bet they have done a bang up job on the mechanicals for both cars. Unfortunately I wouldn't be caught dead driving either one of them.

[ninjaboy]

No need to be hostile mate i'm just as entitled to an opinion as you. I've never thought they were pretty far from it if what i am saying is they dared to be diffrent and stick out now they are blending in the the dull golf/focus crowd. nd as for the coment about the spoiler were did i mention that? my current car aint got a spoiler my previous car did because it suited the car.

millband said:

ninjaboy said:

The new WRX genuinely depresses me when i see it, the old ones were mad looking a gave me hope that cars had'nt all become boring and conformist. The new one says "we don't care about fun anymore, we care about bootspace and appealing to women"

I'm sorry, have I been on the same planet for the last 15 years? Scoobies have ALWAYS looked like knock-offs of cheap eastern tat. Are you telling me that a 1995 UK turbo is some sort of work of art? Or an 01 bugeye?

Come off it. The driving experience is what counts. If all you're interested in the size of the spoiler then you're barking up the wrong tree here.

Steve

[pugs9000]

Is it me or does the subaru look similar to a BMW 1 series with a bonnet scoop?

[Scranville]

Imagine doing that for a job.

"Busy day at work, dear?"
"Not really. Drove round the Nurburgring in the new Evo again. What's for tea?"