After nine generations, the Mitsubishi Lancer has proved the theory of evolution! Ever since the first Evo was launched in 1992, the Japanese firm's performance flagship has become the devastatingly fast saloon we know and love...A quantum leap looms just around the corner though.
The Evo has always been a superstar in the high performance car world, and the next incarnation looks set to elevate its already lofty status. On the basis of WRC tests, it will have the ability to make even novice drivers feel like rally champions.
Tommi Makinen is a name familiar to many Evo owners. The Finnish former rally driver won the world Rally Champion four consecutive times driving the Ralliart Lancer Evo in the late nineties and has totted up 24 WRC wins in all. To celebrate his success, Mitsubishi introduced the Evo VI
Tommi Makinen edition, a highly sought after model which still commands a premium today, especially in red. Power output remained the same as the standard model however there were several changes that added up to make it a very desirable model. Changes to the normal Evo VI included:
- A titanium turbocharger with better low and mid range torque
- Improved exhaust system
- Front upper strut brace
- Lowered suspension
- Quicker steering rack
- Cosmetically the the front bumper and alloy wheels were changed. WRC decals were also optional extras
In a nutshell, with an all-wheel-drive system, along with up rated brakes, and a whole scroll of other upgrades; the all-new Impreza had better watch it's back.
