“As with virtually every other aspect of the car, Mitsubishi spent its money where it counts most, on the driving experience.” While criticizing some elements of the chintzy interior, the front Recaro seats were well appreciated. Then the engine virtually explodes with power, the turbo hissing in sinister fashion.” Praise came for its brilliant steering, “telepathic handling,” and huge rear wing that was “actually kind of cool.”
At low speed, there's a two-second gap between throttle application and full turbo boost. “Consequently, its power delivery is, at best, uneven. "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. The still 271-horsepower Evo VIII defeated the WRX STi in that comparison test, and it impressed in almost every way. One Mitsubishi official was seen seizing his crotch in mock pain over the blow dealt by Subaru.” Then Subaru dropped its surprise 300-hp bomb on the awestruck at the Detroit show-days later in January-in the form of the STi model (for the company's in-house tuner, Subaru Tecnica International). “The company basked in the adoring glow of the Evo's 44-hp advantage over the WRX-for all of one week. “Mitsubishi introduced the Evolution to this country at the Los Angeles auto show last January,” wrote a prepubescent Dan Pund in a June 2003 comparison test of the Evo VIII and the Subaru WRX STi. It may have shared some body panels with the pokey Lancer, but it was a high-tech powerhouse under its bulging skin.īy 2003, Mitsubishi was finally ready to bring the Lancer Evolution to America. The VII’s technological load included Active Yaw Control, sport-oriented ABS, a front helical limited-slip differential, an active center diff, electronic brake-force distribution, and massive Brembo brake discs. The VII's power remains the same as that of the current Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition, but torque is now 282 pound-feet at 3200 rpm, up seven.” On the road, you can expect something quite incredible. But don't let the compact-car looks fool you. “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 VII still has the same compact technolook that defines Japanese rally cars. “The Evo VII is based on the new Lancer sedan platform but looks essentially like the previous version, the Evo VI,” wrote Peter Lyon for C/D. The Lancer Evolution VII was based on the new, larger Lancer Cedia for 2001. It’s 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. Mitsubishi’s first attempt to build a competitive World Rally Championship entry was the Galant VR-4 that was constructed according to Group A rules.
Short of Formula 1, no racing series was more high tech than world rallying, and nothing came close to the ruggedness of rallying, either. And in 1985, a Mitsubishi Pajero SUV (sold as the Montero in the United States) won the Paris-Dakar Rally.īy then the company was clearly committed to pitching high technology and ruggedness as major selling points for its vehicles worldwide. By the early 1970s, Mitsu had developed the Lancer 1600GSR that took the top spot in 1974’s tough East African Safari Rally. At the 1962 Macau Grand Prix, examples finished first, second, and third (plus fourth) to lock out every other manufacturer from the “Under 750 cc” class podium.
As far back as 1961, the company was aiming for rally glory with its 500 Super Deluxe, which was developed for racing with its “big” 594-cc, 25-hp, air-cooled, two-cylinder engine. In Mitsubishi’s almost ceaseless quest to establish an image for itself, racing has been a priority on several occasions. The Mitsubishi Evo is not a car-it’s a weapon, one whose roots can be traced back to well before the dawn of the nameplate. The badge may return, but the Evo as we know and love it is well and truly gone.
We compiled this story in honor of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, which has been discontinued and is heading off to that great rally stage in the sky.