Subtle Aggression - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR

OK, so you've seen a thousand modified Lancer Evolutions. And yes, the Evolution X has already been announced and is right around the corner. But seriously, when was the last time you saw an APR widebodied Evo that looked this clean? Check out the flanks of Duy Pham's car. How many stickers do you see? What about the paint, is it loud and obnoxious? Nope. It doesn't even have a wing, which makes an interesting statement in contrast to the radically flared arches. Call it aggressive, yet soft spoken.

There's good reason for Pham's love of the automotive understatement-he grew up modifying Hondas. Surprising the competition when you're behind the wheel of a little unsuspecting CRX can be unendingly amusing. But, if you've been in the industry long enough, you know that this eventually translates to "police harassment." Even though Pham was an innovator, he was unfortunate enough to be on the streets when everyone had to have a Honda. The police found it all too easy to stereotype the one make of car that was continually associated with street racing and stolen parts. And seeing the flashing lights in the rearview at least weekly got old fast.

After a bunch of friends bought Subaru WRXs, Pham was shocked to find that there was a way to go much faster than his CRX ever could, without any risk of unwanted attention from Johnny Law. And hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right? The WRX didn't quite pique Pham's fancy, but one test drive of the then-new Evo MR had him hooked. A week of haggling netted a brand-new Graphite Gray Evo MR-a car he genuinely intended to use as a daily driver.

Sticking to the everyday use plan, Pham headed over to Gruppe-S in Hayward, Calif., to pick up an A'PEXi Power Intake and induction box as well as a cat-back exhaust from Helix. "The power gain was OK," Pham said, but the bug soon bit once again. He wanted more, and the solution came in the form of a 76mm downpipe from the only company Pham could find even producing them for the MR, Works, in San Francisco. A blow-off valve from Go Fast Bits and a 3-inch high-flow cat finally quenched Pham's need for speed-for a little while.

By Brad Elsinore

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