The plan is to get up bright and early on a Saturday morning. Reason? To drive a 420hp track tuned EvoVII. Well, someone has to do it.

Jackie Chan loves the car. So does Hollywood producers with seemingly deep endless pockets. Millions of drivers around the world sing continuous praises about it. Even non-Mitsubishi fans can't help but appreciate what it can offer. I can ask you readers on what exactly is the x-factor that makes Evolution cars so appealing, but that would sound so stupid wouldn't it?

I imagine the team that steers the development of the series is sitting pretty in their offices, proud of their achievement. Their business card might even just have their name and the title “Evolution Development Team” in big bold letters printed on it. It's funny how a global corporation such as Mitsubishi has a single car that helps to define the company.

But personally, I've been rather 'institutionalized' by the car. It does get stale after the dozen-th car or so, no matter which variation it is. Not so because the fun is only to a certain degree, but because cars with radical upgrades to heavenly horsepower figures are too far apart. Worse is the fact that the test drives are usually done at normal roads; not exactly the most conducive (and suitable) environment for proper pants-soiling driving experience. But no matter, once in a while, real scorchers do come by and reminds me on why this machine gets the admiration that it receives.

This Evolution VII is the final car to shoot in my trio of cars tuned by RS Impressive. I was only told of two things, first that it is painted white and secondly of its dyno proven 420 horsepower rating. Now, the latter is what got me interested. In fact, when the car first made its appearance, the sound of the engine alone made me say “Whoa!”. It looked like a track car; it sounded like a track car and pulled away at first gear like a track car. Oh heck, this is a track car.

(The rest of the article can be found in Hypertune Vol. 58)

Text: Cimatt
Photo: Victor Chen

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