July 22, 2004 - The waiting is over.

We're gonna take it up a notch around here. Yeah, from here on out, the SRS car of the week is going to showcase the best cars the import scene has to offer. Sit back, strap in, and enjoy the ride.

So let's recap. You've seen luxury. You've seen style. You've seen sport compacts. All good cars with unique personalities. This week the gloves come off. This week, we're going to get into the nuts and bolts of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII GSR, and why you'll want to own one in SRS.

The Evolution GSR line first appeared in October 1992 as Mitsubishi's opening salvo at the World Rally Championship. Its four wheel drive setup was commendable, but ultimately understeered more than some drivers desired. Despite poor brakes and average handling, the car managed to make a name for itself by combining light weight with the highest power output in its class (250 metric horsepower). Its 2-liter intercooled, turbocharged engine was based on the 4G63 block that is, astoundingly, still in use (in an improved form) to this day.

Mitsubishi continued to incrementally improve the EVO over the years, but is was the 1996 Evo IV that made a quantum leap forward with the introduction of a front Limited Slip Differential and Active Yaw Control (AYC). This revolutionary setup allowed the Evo to transfer torque laterally between inside and outside rear wheels when cornering.

The result of all this wizardry was maximum traction going to the wheel that needed it most. Add to this increased body rigidity and you had a car that was leaps and bounds better than its predecessors. Having ridden in a tuned JDM EVO IV equipped with AYC, I can tell you it's impressive.

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