Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Hatchbacks, Mitsubishi, Subaru
Spy Shot vs. Spy Shot: EVO X and WRX STi
by John Neff on Jul 3rd 2007 at 1:03PM 
click either image above to view more pics of each car
Arm your intercoolers, the showdown between the new Mitsubishi EVO X and Subaru WRX STi is almost at hand. KGP Photography recently nabbed both cars doing testing at the famous Nurburgring in Germany, and they are each shaping up to be beasts compared to their pedestrian counterparts. Though Subaru decided to be different and go with a five-door hatchback form, the hump in the back doesn't detract from what the large fenders, deep chin spoiler and gaping maw of an air intake are trying to accomplish. And seriously, can matte black be an available color choice?
The EVO X, meanwhile, has a face that perfectly frames its intercooler in the front bumper for all to see. Add to that a giant rear wing on the trunk and larger multi-spoke wheels, and again it's clear that this car is ready to take up the torch.
Both cars will be all-wheel drive, both will have 300 or more horsepower and both are waiting impatiently to tear the other apart in a decent comparison test. Until then, we give you these galleries to do battle with.
[Source: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Charlie 1:14PM (7/03/2007)
I can bet this is the Lancer Ralliart rather than the Evo X
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CJ 1:22PM (7/03/2007)
Wow, the EVO X looks so much meaner!
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Garit 1:23PM (7/03/2007)
OK, i am in love with the STI, I thought I was going to buy the EvoX when it comes out, or the BMW1, but I am totally going for the STI, I think because it has similar lines to my SVT focus, which i love to death, HOT!
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fusion_cruiser 2:02PM (7/03/2007)
You could ship over the Focus RS, which will have the Focus ST engine but with AWD. That'll be fast. But for me, the Evo. Looks like a mean rally car.
Andre 1:31PM (7/03/2007)
In my opinion, subaru wrecked the sti. I hate how its a hatch. I hate the new grill. I completely hate the way it looks. The evo, on the other hand, looks absolutely awsome. With the previous generations i would have went with the sti but with the new generations I'm evo all the way
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Owen 2:26PM (7/03/2007)
I'm actually happy it's a hatch. I wanted a BMW 1 series something awful last time I was in Germany. But now we're getting the coupe here instead of the 4 door hatch. I had a WRX wagon for 4 years which I loved to death, but I always had green eyes for the STI, but it only came in the fugly sedan form. So luckily for me the closest think I can get to a RWD sport hatch comes in the form of a subaru. Kudos to you Subaru, you will have my $$$. So to each their own.
Ryan 4:06PM (7/04/2007)
actually i completely agree with andre. the last model of the WRX made me sad, but it still kinda stuck to similar lines, but now it just sucks. the lancer... u cant argue with it, it looks like a freakin beast. the lancer kicked the sti's ass this year.
nardi 1:46PM (7/03/2007)
I love the hot hatch (I am from england after all) but the STI just isn't hot, it needs 2 less doors for a start, take a look at some of the French or Italian stuff or even the new focus st / astra vxr, thats how it should be done. In this case I'd take the EVO no question.
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pavel 1:52PM (7/03/2007)
I think Charlie is right, that's probably the ralliart evo. The silver thing in the front looks like an ac condenser more than front mount intercooler - there are no end tanks on it.
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Seven 2:07PM (7/03/2007)
Won't the Ralliart be turbocharged as well? I'm thinking it's the Ralliart aka normal WRX competitor.
Noe 2:27PM (7/03/2007)
i agree but it is a intercooler, because i read that mitsubishi was readying a 250+ hp engine to compete against the WRX as the midgrade lancer also known as the RALLY ART.
John R 2:26PM (7/03/2007)
Shhhh...If you're quiet you can hear Mitsu execs uttering "ka-ching, ka-ching".
Seriously though, The Evo X I've seen in M/T seems pretty close to the Lancer pictured here, except that was red. In any event, this Lancer clearly has a better figure. Evo X, FTW.
If Subie were brave enough to have a flat black paint option it would help thier cause.
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1337 2:33PM (7/03/2007)
These two cars used to be about neck-in-neck as far as styling, and there was not much talk about one having vastly better appearance than the other. If we look at these cars in terms of upscale sports sedans, the previous generation of both these cars was a BMW 3-series. The new Evo is an Infiniti G35 (more bold than the 3-series) and the new WRX STi is a Lexus ES350. In other words, the Evo is the new Nissan Skyline and the Evo is a Buick.
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Torqued 3:17PM (7/03/2007)
What in God's name was that supposed to mean? That is so far from making sense I don't even know where to start.
1337 3:30PM (7/03/2007)
The STi and Evo used to be about the same. Now the STi is a pussy mobile and the Evo whoops ass.
Torqued 5:00PM (7/03/2007)
Much better, thanks.
I hope nobody buys those pussy mobiles and Subaru has to slash prices to get them off the lot... Because I want one. (Although I agree the EVo looks better)
Todd 2:48PM (7/03/2007)
I'm a huge Japanese car fan (have a 93 Supra, supercharged MR2, 87 Corolla GTs) but I think I will have to pass up both of these and go with a BMW 135i for the same price. I just can't pass on a new twin turbo I6 2 door rwd car that by the looks of it is even going to be lighter than these two. And those 335's are getting impressive near 400hp numbers with just a chip and exhaust so imagine that in a smaller car.
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Ligor 3:14PM (7/03/2007)
Battle of the UGLIEST, MEANEST, BEST handling rice mobile
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Don 3:16PM (7/03/2007)
Well, one thing's for sure...the Evo is still better looking.
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Ligor 3:18PM (7/03/2007)
Tod,
Motortrend just had another 335i coupe overheat in 75F weather, so why even bother with the new TT 3.0L I6 when you can't keep it cool with 300HP, making 400HP could only worsen the deal unless youinstall an engine cooling system.
these two cars may not have the looks, but they will outperform the 135i and if the engines are still as strong you wont have those overheating issue which the bimmer will have.
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