Oloi and NewYorKars present our next featured ride: Madison Miklancic’s 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII GSR. This was the generation that brought the Evolution the U.S. and Madison’s represents the final year before the Evo IX was introduced. Madison has modified the car to match her style and performance needs.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has been around since 1992 but if you grew up stateside, you likely didn’t know much about it. Many Americans were introduced to it through car-based films and video games. From the Evolution I to the Evolution X Final Edition, these cars showed us how much fun you can have with a small turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive.
Oloi and NewYorKars present our next featured ride: Madison Miklancic’s 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII GSR. This was the generation that brought the Evolution the U.S. and Madison’s Evo VIII represents the final year before the Evo IX was introduced.
In stock form, this Evo’s 4G63 2.0-liter I-4 sent 276 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. This Evo could hit 60 miles per hour from a standstill in about five seconds, onto a top speed of 155 mph. GSR curb weight was 3,263 pounds and prices started at $30,699.
The 2005 Evolution GSR came standard with an active center differential, a helical limited-slip differential, Recaro seats, Brembo brakes, aluminum body components, and a carbon fiber rear spoiler.
Madison picked up her Evo in 2015 with 46,000 miles on the clock. She has put about 36,000 additional miles on it since then. The stock paint was Wicked White and Madison added an Avery wrap in pale grey.
“I love driving it.” Madison told Oloi. “It was a daily driver for the first two years, but now it’s more of a weekend car. I use it for work and content creation and I’ve tracked it a couple of times.”
Madison has made the Mitsubishi Evo her own. She added a Voltex body kit, which includes a new front bumper, side skirts, rear fenders, and diffuser. The car rides on an Air Lift 3P air suspension.
“I do want to prove a point about taking air suspension to the track,” Madison said.
Madison added custom Status Racing bucket seats bearing her name. For performance she dropped in a full intercooler kit and a new turbo, among other enhancements.
Before the Evo, Madison drove a Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec edition. Her garage currently includes a 2012 Audi A3 manual turbo hatchback. She is in the market for a Nissan S13 Silvia coupe.
Following a rear seat delete, Madison added the words “Spirit of Competition,” borrowed from Mitsubishi’s rally team slogan.
“It incites competition, but in a friendly way,” Madison said.
For more on Madison’s Evo and all the work she’s put into it, check out the full story at Oloi: