HKS Evo 9 MR 2007
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SPECIFICATIONS(CT200MR) |
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Article From driver.ie
By the legendary
Paddy McGrath
www.pmcgphotos.com
HKS Lancer Evolution CT200MR
Fifty-three point five eight nine seconds.53.589 seconds to cover little over 2 kilometres. A record that has yet to be beaten by anyone around the Mecca that is Tsukuba Circuit. The HKS Lancer Evolution CT230R, driven by Nobertu Taniguchi has marked its territory around the globe. It has shattered the record at Buttonwillow Raceway in the USA by four seconds, along with claiming the fastest ¼ mile time, 0-60 and road course time at the same event. It is no wonder that HKS decided to commemorate these historic results by building a one off road going replica of this legendary machine.Based upon a straight-from-the-assembly-line new Lancer Evolution 9.5 MR, HKS set about making this their own. The wide arch body kit is identical to the same one that adorns the CT230R. A CT200R kit can be commercially purchased from HKS but is a full 30mm narrower than the CT230 original. Unlike some kits, this one retains all the standard features like rear door handles, which we have often seen need to be removed to accommodate the large rear quarters. The lines flow beautifully down the car, the sharp crease begins evenly with where the break light curves down and runs mechanically along the profile of the body, only disappearing along the back doors before boldly stepping out again at the front wings. The fit is superb. It is a factory look. There are no suspect panel gaps, everything runs straight and true.Tucked beneath the arches are a set of 10J eighteen inch Advan RG II’s, running a plus fifteen offset to ensure they sit flush with lip of the arches. These arches could easily take a nineteen or twenty inch rim but HKS have chosen the path of performance over looks. Advan Neova’s are the final piece that connects the car to the road.
Sitting behind the wheel of the CT230MR is no different to that of any other Evolution IX. The standard Recaro interior remains intact but I’m sure there was some debate in HKS’s Technical Operations unit if the interior was really that necessary. A HKS EVC boost controller is all that stands out from the standard dash, with a HKS F-Con tucked up inside the passenger foot well.
Clutch in, turn the key and 2.0 litre 4G63 Mivec comes to life. Half expecting hellfire and brimstone on ignition, a gentle but potent rumble fills the cabin. A reminder that this car was built for road use but still has the DNA of a thoroughbred. Selecting first and leaving out the clutch I was again surprised by how easy it all is in here. The ride is firm, HKS Hipermax III coilovers provide the support, but I’ve experienced much worse. It’s firm in the way you know its meant to be as opposed to firm in the way you need new suspension. The brakes are standard Evo IX Brembo items but that is by no means a bad thing, as many of you will testify to.
Lifting the painted Varis Carbon bonnet reveals the Mivec unit. The 4G63 has been mapped by HKS Technical Factory and has achieved a respectable 370ps and 325 ft/lbs of torque. The air comes through a HKS Super Hybrid filter, forced in to the chamber at 1.2 bar peak boost and ignited by HKS M40iL plugs. The gases escape through a HKS Hi-Power Spec R exhaust system. HKS have also added small touches like their own oil filler and radiator caps in the engine bay.
This is the only CT230MR in the world. It can take a while to grasp that. This puts it as a very, very rare car indeed, making Veyrons as common as 2.0 N/A R32 Skylines. With the imminent arrival of the Evo X, it’s a dead cert that HKS will never make another. You’re looking at something that needs two things. One, to be driven properly, like its big brother the CT230R. And Two, to be looked after. It is hard for us to imagine that a Japanese car can be of historic value. In twenty or thirty years time, I want to see this car again at a Classics day. But only then, we may comprehend what this car means, why it was built and why we’re going to see cars like it less and less.
- Words & Photos by Paddy McGrath
http://www.driver.ie/forum/showthread.php?t=59583
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