2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X - Monster Massive

Our last trip to Japan proved that one thing is clear: simple is back. For as long as the Japanese have become known for turning fantasy cars into reality, the unstoppable force that is known currently as the shitty global economy, took its turn this year and as a result, lighter mods and a step back to simplicity kicked in. Fortunately, that means street-friendly and a more realistic way of building cars for those of us without balling budgets to look towards for inspiration. Though the Monster Sport Evo X looks like a multi yen/dollar project, the spec list is shockingly short (but distinguished), kind of in the way Goose described his Johnson being like. Here, it's clearly not the length or the width, but the way the Evo works it.

Featured prominently at Signal Auto's booth, it was clear there's a partnership between the famed tuners, as well as Maziora, the paint company that has become synonymous with Signal's Show-Up division of body shops due to its color changing properties. You might've seen it on a few Signal race and drift cars over the years. Here, generous coatings of the company's own blend of Kandy Red paint has made its way onto the body and RS aero kit from V2 Champ, giving it a very familiar look that we've all come to love and enjoy. Monster Sport custom valved a set of Ohlins DFV coilovers to their specs, giving them a nice ride for the streets and at the same time drops the chassis conservatively over the 18-inch CE28N wheels from Volk.

You may be thinking the name Monster Sport isn't new to the US and you're right. For years they've been campaigning a Suzuki race car at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb with driver Monster Tajima who has no trouble breaking records many times over, and so it should come as no surprise that they've carried their racing expertise to the enthusiast level, offering a variety of performance parts to the market, including the Evo X. On this demo car, they bolted on as many Monster Sport parts as possible, including the intake, exhaust and intercooler while also integrating a new induction system and blow-off valve, and boost levels can be adjusted with a HKS EVC 5.

Though the days of aggressive tuning in Japan may have taken a short break, Monster Sport shows that quality can be achieved through simplistic means. Take it as a cue to follow suit but if the Japanese have also proved time again it's that they can't leave simple alone. Who knows? This could come back harder as an updated demo and with Monster behind the build, there's no telling how far they'll take it.

Tuning Menu
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
Owner monster sport
(YASUFUMI ONODERA) Hometown tokyo, Japan
Occupation tuning shop

Engine Monster Sport PFX300 Power Air Filter, titanium muffler, titanium exhaust manifold, suction pipe kit, front pipe, intercooler piping and high-flow blow-off valve

Engine Management HKS EVC 5 POWER 450hp

Suspension & Chassis Cusco front Power Brace; custom Monster Sport-spec Ohlins DFV coilovers; JSpeed Super Sujigane-Kun

Wheels & Tires 18-inch Volk Racing CE28N wheels; Toyo R1R 255/35R18 tires

Brakes Image brake pads

Exterior Maziora PLREADES II Kandy Red Paint; V2 Champ RS Original aero kit and 3D carbon rear wing; Cecil Sports carbon electric mirrors

Interior Takata racing harnesses; Bride Zeta III (driver) and Artis III (passenger) seat

Audio Pioneer navigation system

www cs-marche.com (JSpeed), mackinindustries.com (Volk Racing), maziora.com, monster-sport.com, more-japan.com (Bride), tein.com (Takata), toyo.com