Do you remember work experience back in your school days? You probably didn’t get to go and play with JDM cars? Well… for one lucky 14 year old, they managed to land their work experience here at Torque GT.
Oscar joined us recently to see the ins and outs of our company. However, we wanted to make sure he left feeling like it was an unforgettable experience!
So we decided to take him out in two JDM legends. A Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type RA Version 6 Ltd and a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII RS. We tasked Oscar with a little project… to research and write a short feature about his experience with both cars, comparing and deciding on which he preferred.
The following is Oscar's write up and verdict on these two classic rally rivals;
“The Subaru and Mitsubishi are both masterpieces of rally-inspired engineering, each car offers that ‘rally car for the road’ driving experience, however they differ on the way they go about it.
For example, the Impreza excels with its adjustable Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD) system, providing a customisable driving experience that feels agile and responsive. In contrast, the Evo VII RS shines with its Active Yaw Control (AYC), making it feel planted and composed under all conditions.
Both cars are renowned with a competitive motorsport heritage, highlighted by their success in the WRC. Their history makes them highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors all around the globe.
However, the pivotal question remains: Which car is better, the Subaru or the Mitsubishi?
While both models boast near identical performance figures, both packing 276 hp, with the Subaru tipping the scales at 1270 kg and delivering 260 ft-lbs, and the Mitsubishi slightly heavier at 1365 kg but pushing 283 ft-lbs, each car showcases distinctive features.
As mentioned above, the Subaru's DCCD system showcases its adaptability, letting the driver fine-tune the handling of their car through adjusting the amount of lock-up the front and rear diffs use… Meanwhile, Mitsubishi's AYC system enhances its handling abilities, electronically sending power to the wheels that need it most, providing exceptional agility and demonstrating confident control in every corner.
Beyond performance, rarity adds another layer to the comparison. Subaru limited production of the JDM Type RA Version 6 Ltd to just 2000 units, enhancing its exclusivity and desirability among collectors. However, Mitsubishi has the top trump with production of only 615 JDM Evo VII RS’s, making it rarer still!
In conclusion, both cars are incredibly similar in many ways. But in my experience, the Mitsubishi stands out as the better car. Why? For me, the Mitsubishi's ability to fly around corners at higher speeds made it a smoother and more enjoyable ride.
The Subaru can’t quite match the Evo’s level of handling precision. The Mitsubishi feels sharper and composed on winding roads. One feature that both cars excel in is responsiveness.
Both vehicles could be described as "point and go", reacting quickly and precisely to the driver's inputs. However, the Mitsubishi again marginally outperformed the Subaru in this department, offering a slightly more immediate response.
Despite my preference for the Mitsubishi's driving dynamics, there are aspects of the Subaru that I appreciate more. Aesthetically, the Subaru is particularly appealing, with its iconic blue and gold theme which is hard not to love! The interior also carries a hint of blue, plus eye-catching bucket seats and hints of STi branding throughout, overall making it more interesting than the Evo’s rather grey cockpit.
However, with all this being said, being different editions of the base models, both the Mitsubishi and Subaru sacrifice certain features for enhanced performance. These include amenities like climate control, reduced sound insulation, and more minimalist interiors aimed at reducing overall weight.
As a result, they prioritise agility and speed over comfort and convenience, offering a unique driving experience that has made these models so special to enthusiasts.”
Given his age and the short time he had to put something together, we think this is a brilliant write up and we hope he’s now a JDM fan and inspired by the automotive world… Well done Oscar - You might have your very own Evo or Impreza one day!
