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He’s a motorsport fanatic with a need for speed, but who would have thought that Rob’s choice of car has 400 horsepower that spits flames out the back? Medianett investigates.
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Rob has always been car-mad, but we find out what really got him hooked when he was younger. Rob admits he has a passion for motorsport and the thrill of going fast, adding: “As a kid, I loved roller coasters so I think the ‘need for speed’ started there to be honest.”
So, exactly which cars does Rob own to satisfy his lifelong hobby? “Well, I actually have two Mitsubishi Evolutions, which is pretty extravagant by most people’s standards! [I have] An Evo 4 imported from Japan – like something out of ‘The Fast and the Furious’ - and an Evo 9MR FQ360 by HKS. Lots of letters and things there, but, without boring you senseless, MR means Mitsubishi Ralliart (rally tuned); I’ll let you guess what FQ means! Yes, it really does mean what you think it does!”
His modified car is something to be seen, though, if you can catch a glimpse of it travelling at 180mph! Rob said: “The Evo 4 is heavy modified. It came off a Japanese car production line, once upon a time, in 1997 when even in standard trim, it was very fast. Both cars are pretty rare (try and look out for one on the road and you’ll see what I mean!) As for the Evo 9, it is pretty standard, but the ECU (the car’s brain) has received some attention. Even in standard trim, this Evo 9 is staggeringly fast. Misubishi Lancer Evolutions go back to the time when Mitsubishi were world leaders in Rallying. They are basically rally cars for the road, and I love ‘em!”
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The Evo 9, we find out, is his ‘special car’, which we expect turns many heads because of its interesting features. Rob explained: "The Evo 9 does have a 'fun button'. When I press this, the engine raises the revs, spins the turbo and drops a bit of fuel into the exhaust system so the cars 'pops' like a real rally car and, sometimes, flames come out of the back!"
On the all-important topic of speed, Rob said: “The Evo 9 is the faster one of the two, so that will accelerate to 60mph in 3.5 seconds and reaches 100mph in about 9 seconds. This performance is close to the legendary Ferrari F40 and the more recent Ferrari 430. All production Aston Martins will eat its dust! But, it also has 5 seats, and a boot and permanent 4 wheel drive. There aren’t many cars with this performance and practicality combined.”
We were shocked to discover that with a car that souped-up, it is actually road legal! “It has an MOT, car tax and is serviced similar to other cars,” Rob said.
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However, there is a danger element to a car of this nature. “There is no question, a lot of driving experience is needed to enjoy these cars in a ‘spirited’ way. I’ve driven them for many years and have done various performance car driving days; plus, I drive high performance racing karts. An Evo in the wet, in the hands of an inexperienced person, could throw you in the hedge if you don’t respect the turbo power! But, learn to drive a car well, and you will be amazed at the road handling. Your fillings will come out before an Evo leaves the road!”
You would expect that with a car like Rob’s there would have been a few heart-stopping moments. Rob said: “In the early days of owning the Evo 4, I was driving it on a frosty day and got the power on too early and almost ended up going into a roundabout instead of round it. Next stop, dry cleaners! But it taught me that despite all the electronics, 4 wheel drive, etc., Evo’s can’t define the laws of physics.”
Finally, asking what his ultimate dream car is, Rob smugly answered: “I have it, my Evolution 9 MR!”
Well who wouldn’t be smug with a car that hot?
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