Description
This generation of the Lancer Evolution was the most significant one since the Evo IV and offered essential technical upgrades on the all-wheel drive system.
Mitsubishi had high hopes for the Evo VII. It put a lot of effort and engineering upgrades into creating a stunning vehicle. Like its predecessors, it starred in the World Rally Championship. Unfortunately for the Japanese automaker, its hopes were shattered by the new competitors. It was too long to win races, but on the streets, it was a successful, desired model.
Starting with this generation, the Japanese automaker was able to offer the car with the same nameplate around the world, including in Europe, where it was previously forced to use the Carisma name due to copyright infringements. The Evo VII featured wider, clear lens headlights that covered the individual lamps for the high and low beam and the corner-mounted blinker. By now, the Lancer Evo was already famous for its vent on the hood, and Mitsubishi kept it, although it was not a vent but an air intake.
Mitsubishi offered the Lancer Evolution VII in two trim levels: RS and GSR. The former was used as a base version for rally teams to develop their race cars. It featured steel wheels, no power windows, no radio nor AC, and some of the cheapest, ready-to-trash seats in the industry. The GSR, on the other hand, was fully loaded with AC, a powerful sound system, sport bucket seats, and all the amenities of a 2000's sedan fit for families.
The technical part was the most intriguing since it featured a newly developed all-wheel drive system fitted with an active center differential, with three different settings for tarmac, snow, and gravel.
