I have to go with the v6, too. It's not quite as well-designed as the 7, but that's not the point with this car. It's meant to be aggressive, visceral, and purely functional. The 6 looks the part because that's all it is: a beast. The 7 is for those who prefer the E36 M3 to the E30...something powerful, but definitely more subdued. I think the EVO 8 is continuing this trend of sissifying (my favorite ****subishi* word) the EVO, and the 230HP EVO is an even better example. So, with Lancer EVO's, older is better...from a real driver's point of view.
*ObMits: As for those who are confused as to why I say "****subishi", you haven't had to try to automate a Mits HD-DSS box or converge their RPTVs. Their electronic stuff just sucks.