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 great rally stage in the sky. The badge may return, but the Evo as we know and love 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 before the dawn of the nameplate. In Mitsubishi’s almost ceaseless quest to establish an image for itself, racing has been a priority on several occasions. 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. 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. By the early 1970s, Mitsu had developed the Lancer 1600GSR that took the top spot in 1974’s tough East African Safari Rally. And in 1985, a Mitsubishi Pajero SUV (sold as the Montero in the United States) won the Paris-Dakar Rally.---By then the company was clearly committed to pitching high technology and ruggedness as major selling points for its vehicles worldwide. Short of Formula 1, no racing series was more high tech than world rallying, and nothing came close to the ruggedness of rallying, either. 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. 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. But only somewhat.-1987 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4-One not-very-secret element in the Galant VR-4’s success was Mitsubishi’s 4G63T turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve engine. With its twin counter-rotating balance shafts and rugged iron block, the 4G63 could be modified to make big power reliably despite massive amounts of turbocharger boost. This photo 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 IX.-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution I-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution II-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III-Using a series of Ralliart-prepped Evo IIIs, IVs, Vs, and VIs, the brilliant Finnish driver Mäkinen won the driver’s crown in World Rally Championship in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. However, Mitsubishi won the constructor’s championship only once, in 1998.-To fully comprehend Mäkinen's prowess behind the wheel, check out this video of him driving a Lancer Evolution VI in a special stage at the 1999 Rally of Finland.-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MIEV concept-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Sportback-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X-Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Concept Final-You've made it through the history lesson! As a reward, here are a few photos of various Evos captured doing what they do best.---Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution race car/pace car----

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