Posts RSS
Printer friendly version
Email to a friend
RSSLaunched for Rallying; Expanded to Europe
 |
Mitsubishi, the Japanese automaker launched Lancer Evolution in 1992 originally to give it a path into the World Rally Championship’s Group A class and the SCCA Pro rally Championship. In the beginning Evolution was only for sale in Japan originally and was crafted on the standard Mitsubishi Lancer saloon.
The car soon made a crossing to the European borders to enter the import market as a prized grey-market import. Mitsubishi realized the interest quickly and paved the way for official imports
to the UK in 1998. The very first model of Lancer Evolution had a 5 speed gearbox and a powerful 2.0 litre engine, brought together with a four wheel drive system. This car could bump out 244bhp which was pretty meaty stuff for a saloon.
The Lancer Evolution was built alongside the more family orientated Lancer Saloon. It soon evolved as a cult classic and developed respect amongst speed freaks and rally drivers alike. The Evolution IX was launched in 2006. It was the last box edged Evo off the production line before the newer model was introduced. The Mitsubishi Evolution IX came out with more improvements over the original with a new lightweight aluminium roof and a carbon fibre rear wing that was larger for better weight distribution and corner handling. The engine still was a 2.0 litre turbo with variable valve control, and really kicked in with 345 bhp controlled by a 6 speed sports box. The Evo was had an easy to handle feature that made it easy for rally drivers. The Evo was probably one of the best handling sports saloons ever made.
Even though the car’s looks have been pretty updated; it is still in tradition with the Evolution of old. This model from Mitsubishi just had a nip and tuck to remain pretty.
