Sequential Hardens Up The Evo With Black Illusion Kit
While the Lancer Evolution X already looks as tough as a diamond, Japanese aftermarket specialist Sequential has upped the ante with their Black Illusion body kit.
Sequential's kit gives the Evo X a sense of purposefulness that eclipses that of Mitsubishi's own business-like exterior. While the standard X looks pretty mean in standard form, Sequential's Black Illusion kit makes the thing look positively homicidal.
The front bumper features a heavy amount of venting, while the side skirts and rear bumper bring the body closer to the pavement. If you want one, save up 265,800 yen, head over to www.sequential. co.jp and try to beg them to ship a kit stateside.
Toyota Lightweight Sports Car To Take On Celica Name?
Could the Celica be about to make a triumphant return to its rear-wheel-drive roots? According to a Japanese car magazine, it certainly could.
Best Car magazine believes that Toyota's lightweight sports car concept will form the basis for the new Celica. With engines and transmissions reportedly being sourced from Subaru, the new budget sports car could be offered in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive flavors.
The Japanese rumor mill speculates that the new Celica will be available in two configurations, with the rear-wheel-drive GT version being powered by a naturally aspirated flat-four EJ20 and costing under $20,000. A top-of-the-line GT-Four version would add an all-wheeldrive drivetrain, again sourced from Subaru, while around 300 hp would be available from its turbocharged EJ20.
Best Car also says that in order to keep manufacturing costs low, the new Celica would have to be built in large volumes, so if all the rumors are true we could see the new Celica released globally before 2011.
Subaru Considers Oil-Burning WRX
While European motorist have grown accustomed to diesel power in passenger cars, the rest of the world has been slow to adopt the fuel in anything other than commercial transport. However, as oil reserves dwindle and environmental awareness increases nearly every automaker has begun dipping their toes in the stuff. Now it appears Subaru is considering producing what could become a (gasp!) diesel WRX STI.
According to rumors, a diesel WRX would most likely be powered by the same 147hp flatfour diesel found in the Subaru Legacy. An STI version, however, could see power bumped up to 180 hp and torque increased from 258 lb-ft to 295 lb-ft.
Would a diesel powerplant really endow the STI any kind of performance advantage? It's doubtful, seeing as the existing petrol-powered EJ20 (JDM-spec) already develops a peak torque of 311 lb-ft, while power is much higher than the diesel at 304 hp. Aside from fuel economy, a diesel motor (at least, not any current Subaru diesel) makes little to no sense in Subaru's sports flagship-in the plain 'ol WRX maybe, but the STI? Perhaps not.
Mitsubishi Prototype S Previews Lancer Ralliart Sportback
Just before the Mitsubishi Prototype S's debut at the recent Geneva Motor Show, the automaker all but confirmed that the Prototype S is the Lancer Sportback, and it'll be sold alongside the Lancer sedan in the U.S.
The Prototype S is essentially a hatchback version of the Lancer Ralliart, complete with a 237hp turbocharged 4B11 inline-four, the Evo IX's S-AWC all-wheel-drive drivetrain, and the Evo X's twin-clutch SST gearbox. Expect to see this very drivetrain in the production Lancer Ralliart Sportback when it goes on sale in the states later this year.
With its sloping back (perhaps not the most practical shape for a hatchback) and Lancer Ralliart front, the Prototype S sure is a looker-even more so when compared to its direct competitor, the Subaru WRX. Once it becomes available in Ralliart trim, we're sure it'll be an uphill battle for Subaru's divisively styled WRX.