Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution History

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Version V were the officially approved models for Mitsuhishi's goal to be in the World Rally Championship Group A and in order to follow the rules, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is based on the same platform as the Mitsubishi Lancer but more powerful.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or Lancer Evo was born after the success of Galant VR-4 in the World Rally Championship. Mitsubishi Motors Japan would like to expand  their success into smaller sedan vehicles and chosen Mitsubishi Lancer to be customize for the purpose of World Rally. In 1990 Mitsubishi Engineers started the VR4 and later applied to Lancer and was called the Evolution.

The Lancer Evolution was introduced in 1992 to compete in the World Rally Championship carrying its 2.0L turbocharged DOHC engine and with 4 wheel Drive train from its original sister vehicle Mitsubishi Galat VR4. The competition in the World Rally Championship requires 2,500 production models and so it was made by Mitsubishi motors offering the GSR and RS, and 5,000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was given away from 1992 to 1993. Mitsubishi's intention was to have a good starting point in light weight rally car category.

In 1996 till 1999 The Lancer Evolution was very successful when it comes to World Rally Championship Rallies, The Lancer Evolution was unique among its competitors in Group A car which is the slightly modified.

The Mitsubishi Evolution was originally intended only for Japanese markets but demanded to be imported in the United Kingdom, it was offered by Mitsubishi Motors  as limited type. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have been produce from 1993 up to today with Evolution Versions VI, VII, VII and IX which does not need to meet World Rally Championship requirements.

The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution includes a turbocharged 286 horseP inline four-cylinder engine and a full-time all wheel drive powertrain. Variable valve timing is an Evolution first in 2006, coming in the form of MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing-and-lift Electronic Control).

Japanese specification cars were limited by a gentleman's agreement to advertise no more than 280 PS (276 hp), a mark already reached by the time of Evolution IV; however, each generation of Evo's power has clandestinely evolved above the advertised number, with the Japan-spec Evo IX having real output of about 320 PS, and various versions available in other markets, particularly the UK, have official power outputs up to 405 bhp (302 kW). Even standard components are considered "tuned" compared to other vehicles. For instance, the flywheel on normal cars weighs about 12-15 kilograms but the Lancer flywheel weighs a mere 6 kilos for very quick engine response.

Unfortunately, the Evo has also been evolving into a heavier and heavier vehicle with each generation in face of tougher worldwide safety and emission regulations.

Source: Topspeed