Everything You Need to Know About Mitsubishi Evo

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Mitsu Metamorphosis: The History of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

We compiled this story in honor of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, which has been discontinued and is heading off to that keen rally stage in the sky. The badge may return, just the Evo as nosotros know and dear it is well and truly gone. Sniff.

The Mitsubishi Evo is not a car—it's a weapon, one whose roots can be traced back to well earlier the dawn of the nameplate. In Mitsubishi's most ceaseless quest to institute an image for itself, racing has been a priority on several occasions. As far back every bit 1961, the company was aiming for rally glory with its 500 Super Deluxe, which was adult for racing with its "big" 594-cc, 25-hp, air-cooled, two-cylinder engine. At the 1962 Macau Grand Prix, examples finished first, second, and tertiary (plus quaternary) to lock out every other manufacturer from the "Nether 750 cc" form podium. Past the early on 1970s, Mitsu had developed the Lancer 1600GSR that took the top spot in 1974'southward tough East African Safari Rally. And in 1985, a Mitsubishi Pajero SUV (sold equally the Montero in the United States) won the Paris-Dakar Rally.

By and so the company was clearly committed to pitching high applied science and ruggedness as major selling points for its vehicles worldwide. Short of Formula 1, no racing series was more than loftier tech than world rallying, and nothing came close to the ruggedness of rallying, either. Mitsubishi'southward start endeavor to build a competitive Globe Rally Championship entry was the Galant VR-4 that was constructed according to Grouping A rules. It'southward somewhat of an oversimplification to assert that the first Lancer Evolution was a Galant VR-4 shoved under the smaller, lighter, more competitive Lancer's shell. But only somewhat.

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1987 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

The immediate predecessor to the Lancer Evolution is the Galant VR-iv. Introduced in 1987, the Galant VR-four featured the aforementioned turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and accompanying all-wheel-drive organization that would come to be used in the Lancer Development. Shown here is the 1987 model. Americans eventually got a 195-hp Galant VR-four in 1991 and 1992, but merely a few thousand were sold here.

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The Heart of Evo: 4G63T

One non-very-secret element in the Galant VR-4's success was Mitsubishi's 4G63T turbocharged two.0-liter DOHC xvi-valve engine. With its twin counter-rotating residuum shafts and rugged iron cake, the 4G63 could exist modified to make big power reliably despite massive amounts of turbocharger boost. This photograph is of the 4G63T as installed in the 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX—the Illinois-built, egg-shaped AWD coupe companion to the Galant VR-4. In the 1992 Eclipse, the engine was rated at 195 horsepower. Versions of the 4G63T would power every Lancer Evolution from Evo I to Evo 9.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Development I

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, worldwide rally events were moving to tighter, tougher, and more than demanding courses. Cars like the Galant were simply as well large to remain competitive. So the mechanical elements that made upward the Galant VR-4 were crammed into the body vanquish of the smaller Lancer sedan to create the 1992 Lancer Evolution.

The 4G63T engine was rated at 247 horsepower in this application and fed a five-speed manual transmission; output was distributed to all 4 wheels. The beginning Evo was offered equally either a GSR trimmed equally a fully comfy street automobile or as an RS stripped of luxuries similar power windows and antilock brakes to save more than 150 pounds of weight. Mitsubishi built 5000 of these first Evos during 1992 and 1993; all were right-hand drive and all were sold in Nippon.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Ii

Tardily in 1993, the Evolution evolved into the Development II with a slightly longer wheelbase (past 10 mm), slightly wider front end and rear tracks, and slightly larger tires on 15-inch wheels. Throw in tweaked suspension pieces and the effect was a meliorate treatment, more stable automobile. Externally, however, the Evo II looked barely different from the first edition. The power of the 4G63T engine swelled to 256 horsepower, even though the peak torque figure of 228 lb-ft at 3000 rpm was unchanged.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Iii

The Evolution II gave style to the Evo Three in early 1995 with new styling, improved aerodynamics with more downforce, and a new turbocharger that boosted engine output upward to 266 horses. But the best news well-nigh the Iii wasn't anything mechanical—it would be the get-go Evo driven in Globe Rally competition by the great Tommi Mäkinen.

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Tommi Mäkinen Ralliart-prepared Lancer Development

Using a series of Ralliart-prepped Evo IIIs, IVs, Vs, and VIs, the bright Finnish driver Mäkinen won the driver'south crown in World Rally Championship in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. Nevertheless, Mitsubishi won the constructor's championship only once, in 1998.

To fully comprehend Mäkinen's prowess backside the bike, check out this video of him driving a Lancer Evolution VI in a special stage at the 1999 Rally of Finland.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Iv

Fueled by Mäkinen'due south success, the legend of the Mitsubishi Evo presently spread across Nippon. (That the first iteration of the Gran Turismo franchise, released in late 1997, included the Evo 3 and IV no doubt also helped.) The Evo IV, which debuted in 1996, was based on a new-generation Lancer platform and the revised powertrain, which included a new twin-curl turbocharger and gained an boosted 10 horsepower. An active rear differential was included for the first time equally part of a new Active Yaw Control (AYC) system; it used various sensors and a computer to redistribute torque to whichever of the iv wheels could apply it best. And, of course, the body was completely new in appearance.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V

Detail changes on the Development 5 included flared wheel arches, wider front end and rear tracks, bigger 17-inch wheels and tires, upgraded pause geometry, and an adjustable rear wing. Japanese laws that restricted power output had Mitsubishi stating the 4G63T engine made 276 horsepower in the Evo V, simply about everyone assumed that output now stretched across 300 horsepower.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Development VI

By the time of the Evo Six'southward introduction in 1999, the auto'due south operation reputation was well known globally and sales began in markets like Federal republic of germany—where it was known every bit the Carisma GT—and Great Britain. The Evo was a fable in its own fourth dimension.

As well the usual RS and GSR versions of the Evo Vi, new RS2 and RS Sprint models were introduced. And in 1999, a Tommi Mäkinen Edition was introduced flying similar paint designs (in several colors) equally the groovy driver's rally rides. Other changes in the Tommi Mäkinen Edition included trim variations, Recaro seats with special logos, and aerodynamic tweaks. This model is sometimes referred to as the "Evo half dozen.5" and is considered collectible. At this betoken, however, Mitsubishi still wasn't exporting the Evo to the United States.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Half-dozen

Motorcar and Driver tested its beginning Evo in May 2000 when at least one Evo 6 made information technology into America. Closely related to the Evo Five, the Vi was built to be more durable than its predecessors with better cooling, a larger intercooler, and a revised forepart bumper that let more air through. Under hard testing weather, the German-market Evo VI ripped to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and knocked off the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds at 102 mph. "Launching the iv-bicycle-drive car is a lesson in clutch abuse since you can't spin the tires with a clutch drop," wrote C/D's Barry Winfield. "To make matters worse, our testing surface was extremely grippy, making a good launch hard. We besides ran the car to its 7000-rpm redline in fifth gear, which calculates (thanks to revs-per-mile tire specs nosotros had to telephone to Belgium for) to 148 mph."

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII

The Lancer Evolution 7 was based on the new, larger Lancer Cedia for 2001. "The Evo VII is based on the new Lancer sedan platform but looks substantially like the previous version, the Evo VI," wrote Peter Lyon for C/D. "The huge bumper-mounted spotlights are gone, the edges have been rounded a bit, and the overall package is a little larger than before, but the Evo Seven still has the same compact technolook that defines Japanese rally cars. But don't let the compact-car looks fool y'all. On the road, you lot tin look something quite incredible . . . The VII'southward ability remains the same as that of the current Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition, just torque is at present 282 pound-feet at 3200 rpm, upwards seven."

The VII'south technological load included Active Yaw Control, sport-oriented ABS, a front helical limited-slip differential, an active center unequal, electronic brake-force distribution, and massive Brembo restriction discs. It may have shared some torso panels with the pokey Lancer, but it was a high-tech powerhouse nether its bulging peel.

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Evo VII as Picture and Video-Game Star

In 2003 Universal Pictures released 2 Fast 2 Furious, the second film in the ongoing, insanely popular Fast & Furious serial. And with some product placement help from Mitsubishi, the Evo Seven got screen time equally one of the chief rides for Brian O'Conner (played by Paul Walker). The Evo was now firmly established as a performance-machine icon at a time when the "sport compact" craze was cresting. Prior to the pic, the wildly successful third installment in the Gran Turismo game franchise was released in 2001; information technology included no fewer than 10 Evo iterations and created legions of fans who practically demanded the auto appear in American dealerships.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Viii

By 2003, Mitsubishi was finally ready to bring the Lancer Evolution to America. "Mitsubishi introduced the Evolution to this country at the Los Angeles automobile show last January," wrote a prepubescent Dan Pund in a June 2003 comparison test of the Evo Viii and the Subaru WRX STi. "The visitor basked in the adoring glow of the Evo's 44-hp reward over the WRX—for all of one week. And then Subaru dropped its surprise 300-hp bomb on the awestruck at the Detroit testify—days afterward in Jan—in the form of the STi model (for the company'southward in-house tuner, Subaru Tecnica International). One Mitsubishi official was seen seizing his crotch in mock pain over the blow dealt past Subaru."

The still 271-horsepower Evo VIII defeated the WRX STi in that comparison test, and it impressed in nearly every way. "Its transverse-mounted 2.0-liter DOHC in-line four is turbocharged to within an inch of its life with a maximum of 19.5 pounds of boost," Pund explained. "Consequently, its power delivery is, at best, uneven. At low speed, there's a ii-second gap between throttle application and full turbo heave. And then the engine virtually explodes with power, the turbo hissing in sinister manner." Praise came for its bright steering, "telepathic handling," and huge rear fly that was "really kind of absurd."

While criticizing some elements of the chintzy interior, the front Recaro seats were well appreciated. "Every bit with virtually every other aspect of the car, Mitsubishi spent its money where it counts near, on the driving experience."

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR

With the Evo VIII an firsthand hit in America, Mitsubishi began filling its dealerships with slight variations on the theme. Amid them was the 2005 Lancer Evolution VIII MR.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MIEV concept

During automobile shows in 2005, Mitsubishi showed the Lancer Evolution MIEV with 4 electric motors (ane for each bicycle) and a bombardment pack replacing the internal-combustion engine. Then far, nothing has come of this, although the company has recently focused much of its attention on hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles, which suggests that if the Evo were to return, it would exist electrified in some way.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Development Nine

The Evolution IX made its debut at the New York auto evidence in Apr 2005. "Exterior changes include new front end and rear bumpers, with the onetime sporting two oval openings that assistance the intercooler; an bachelor Gurney flap—a sparse wing extension that increases downforce to the rear—for the rear airfoil; and new Enkei aluminum wheels that are lighter past 3.3 pounds each," nosotros reported. "In the cockpit, subtle modifications include aluminum pedals (except in the RS), a faux-carbon-fiber console on the dash, and Recaro seats covered in pseudo-suede and leather. Nether the 9'southward aluminum hood resides the familiar 4G63 turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, which for '06 has received MIVEC variable valve timing, a larger turbo-impeller housing, new piston oil rings, and a stouter nylon-reinforced timing belt. The upshot is ten more horsepower—upwardly to 286—and iii boosted pound-feet of torque, at present at 289." Then, in summary, the Evo Nine was a slightly updated Evo Viii.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 Wagon

Yep, it'south truthful. During the product run of the Evolution IX, a couple of thou were constructed using the Lancer Sportback wagon trunk. None were exported outside of Japan.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Ten

The Lancer Development X'southward inflow in 2008 marked the showtime fully all-new Evo since the first one. "The Evo X is less communicative, larger, heavier, and slower compared with the previous Evo. It'due south the inevitable trade-off that occurs when a car strives for more refinement. The steering, for one, no longer has that loftier-tension-wire responsiveness that fabricated the sometime car such fun," wrote Michael Austin for C/D. "If you're still with u.s.a., yous'll be glad to know that the Evo X drives like nothing else in the globe. Yous merely signal the car where you want to get, and the various elements of the all-wheel-drive system sort out how to make information technology happen."

Mitsubishi finally replaced the venerable 4G63T engine with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant code-named 4B11. With its aluminum block and variable valve timing, it knocked out an easy 295 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. The GSR model still used a v-speed manual transmission, while the MR got a new vi-speed dual-clutch sequential automated.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

By the fourth dimension C/D was wrapping upwardly its long-term exam of a 2008 Evo MR, information technology was apparent that the Evo was getting expensive and had lost some of its mesmerizing raw edge. "When our long-term 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR arrived in July 2008, we were hit by a wave of sticker shock," reported Michael Austin. "At an as-delivered price of $41,515, the Evo exceeded the starting cost of a BMW 335i.

"The following theme emerged from the logbook: Everything in the Evo comes at a toll," Austin continued. "Especially at the gas pump. With its SUV-like EPA rating of 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway—and a 14.five-gallon fuel tank—nosotros didn't conceptualize bladder-busting range, but the Evo continually surprised usa with its need for frequent fill up-ups."

"In that location are few sedans that can lucifer the performance of the Lancer Evolution," he concluded. "As is ofttimes the instance, notwithstanding, numbers aren't everything. Without a regular opportunity to take reward of all of the Evo'south adequacy, the compromises that come with its performance left united states wishing for a lower sticker cost, more refinement, or both."

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Concept Final

With Mitsubishi long gone from WRC competition, the sport-compact craze waning, and the Evo itself growing only more expensive, sales sagged every bit the 2nd decade of the 21st century wore on. By 2014 the writing was on the wall: The Evo as we've known it is doomed. But at least it's going out with a 473-hp wallop in the course of the Concept Last. What'south next for the Evo? Probable a crossover version based on the next-generation Outlander Sport. Every bit powerful and capable every bit such a model might plow out to be, it merely won't be the aforementioned, will it?

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2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Development Terminal Edition

Merely wait! The Final Concept was just a sputter before the Concluding Edition production car was appear as the Evo sedan's truthful death rattle hither in the States. Merely 1600 units volition exist shipped to the U.S., each one equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and packing 12 extra horsepower, for 303 total. Mitsubishi also fitted the Last Edition models with Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, Brembo front brake rotors, dark-finished Enkei wheels, and a black-painted roof. One time they're gone, the Evo as we know information technology is dead.

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You've made it through the history lesson! Every bit a advantage, here are a few photos of various Evos captured doing what they do best.

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Source: https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g15383456/mitsu-metamorphosis-the-history-of-the-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution/

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