Impreza attempts to appear more grown-up and sophisticated while EVO is going for a boy-racer look.
2008 marks a new beginning for the EVO range, which will take on the Impreza for all it's worth.
For performance enthusiasts it is like winning the lottery twice. It's the arrival of two cars with cult-like status going head-to-head, none other than the Subaru Impreza STi and Lancer Evo X. Arriving within weeks of each other, they are set to relight the debate on which is faster and better.
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And this time around Mitsubishi is mounting a serious challenge. It will have two turbocharged Lancers to face Subaru's Impreza WRX and STi.
On prices, expect the STi to cost about $60,000 when it goes on sale in March after debut at the Melbourne Motor Show.
The previous model carried a $56,990 price tag.
In contrast, Mitsubishi is hitting Subaru's WRX and STi head on with two versions of the Evolution X, the GSR and MR, as well as the Ralliart all-wheel drive. The GSR and MR arrive in March/April with an expected price of $58,000 for the former, roughly an extra $10,000 for the latter.
The GSR should be standard with a five-speed manual transmission, with a new six-speed, twin-clutch, sport-shift transmission as an option.
It's believed this will come standard on the MR.
The Evo X also gets hi-tech electronic controls for the all-wheel-drive system, stability control and a lavishly-equipped Recaro sports cabin.
The MR version will gain the additional equipment from the Japanese high-performance model and includes standard features such as the package of Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs and a ventilated two-piece front brake disc on the Brembo stoppers.
It will also get lighter BBS forged alloy wheels instead of the standard Enkei 18-inch rims.
The Evo X will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre MIVEC four-cylinder engine developing around 206kW and 422Nm.
It's believed the GSR will race from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds for the auto guise and 5.0 seconds flat in the manual. Mitsubishi has also improved ride comfort over the outgoing model.
Buyers wanting to get into the Evo mood but on a more restrained, affordable budget will also be able to slide behind the wheel of the Ralliart all-wheel drive. This will be pitched into WRX territory, coming in at around $40,000.
It is expected to have a detuned version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre MIVEC four-cylinder.
Mitsubishi's Lenore Fletcher is reluctant to reveal too much ahead of the Evo's launch, but says it will be comprehensively equipped and a true performance car.
Subaru Australia is yet to confirm STi specifications, although it has announced it will be powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder engine, expected to generate more than 220kW at 6500rpm, up from the previous 206kW and also a jump to 422Nm at 4500rpm.
This is expected to deliver a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.5 seconds via the easy to use, six-speed manual transmission.
The STi, like the WRX, arrives with the Impreza's new five-door hatchback body but with beefier bodywork, flared fenders, wider track, a larger front spoiler, dual exhaust, roof-mounted rear wing and a rear diffuser.
It uses the company's rally-honed AWD system and shares the Liberty's three-mode SI-Drive engine management system and switchable vehicle dynamics control.
The STi's wheelbase, the same as the new WRX's, is longer than the previous model providing better road stability and handling.
It also has softer suspension, absorbing the bumps and making it easier to live with on a daily basis. It weighs 1480kg, 10kg heavier than the previous STi and sits on 18-inch five-spoke BBS alloys shod with Bridgestone performance tyres. The all-disc brakes, developed in conjunction with Italian specialist Brembo, have four-pot calipers at the front and twin-pot at the rear.
The new STi is a more grown-up and sophisticated model, moving away from its boy-racer past. Subaru insists there won't be a sedan version of the STi, with only the hatch available.
But a sedan version of the WRX is expected to be introduced here sometime this year.
The switch to the hatch provides rear passengers with better headroom and also benefits the handling.
The interior of the STi has also had plenty of work, with special instruments and a new centre console for the diff controller.
