The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, popularly referred to as the "Lancer Evo", "LanEvo" or "Evo", is a sports sedan and rally car based on the Lancer that was manufactured by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors from 1992 until 2016. There have been ten official versions to date, and the designation of each model is most commonly a Roman numeral. All generations use two-litre intercooled turbo inline four-cylinder engines and all-wheel drive systems."Development of Center-Differential Control System for High Performance Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles" , Mitsubishi Motors Technology Review 2001, no.13, pp. 61–66
The Lancer Evolution was originally intended only for Japanese markets, but demand on the "grey import" market led the Evolution series to be offered through Ralliart dealer networks in the United Kingdom and in various European markets from around 1997 with the Evolution IV. Mitsubishi decided to export the Evolution VIII to the United States in 2003 after witnessing the success Subaru had in that market the previous year with the Subaru Impreza WRX.
All domestic-market versions, until the release of the Evolution IX in 2005, were limited by a gentlemen's agreement between Japanese car manufacturers to advertise no more than . However, sources say Mitsubishi had already been producing cars with more power but had been underrating the official power outputs in order to comply with the agreement. Therefore, each subsequent version has unofficially evolved above the advertised power figures, with the Japanese-market Evolution IX reaching an alleged output of around . Various special versions available in other markets, particularly the UK, have official power outputs up to .
The tenth and final generation of the Lancer Evolution, the Evolution X, was launched in Japan in 2007, and overseas markets in 2008. The Evolution X was produced for 9 years until Mitsubishi retired the Lancer Evolution in April 2016.
In certain markets in Europe, the Evolution IV, V, VI and VII were sold under the "Carisma GT" name. This decision was made because the regular Lancer sedan was not widely sold in that region at the time and also to boost the sales of the unrelated Carisma. Initially, only the RS trim was sold in that region for competition purposes, until the RS2 or GSR specifications for the Evolution VI and VII eventually became available as well.
Some of the Lancer Evolutions were also homologated by FIA for Proton, which bore their emblems for their rally activities. The Evolution II and III were rebadged as the "Proton Wira 4WD Turbo", while the V, VI and VII were renamed the "Proton PERT".
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Evolution I
The first Lancer Evolution used the 2.0 L turbocharged DOHC engine and AWD drivetrain from the original Galant VR-4 in a Lancer chassis, and was sold in both base GSR Evolution and GSR Evolution RS models. This engine was also used in the Mitsubishi RVR with the Hyper Sports Gear trim package, and the Mitsubishi Chariot Resort Runner GT. The RS was a stripped-down version that lacked power windows and seats, anti-lock brakes, a rear wiper, and had steel wheels to weigh approximately less than the GSR, ready for racing or tuning. These new “Evolution” badged cars came as an upgrade to the existing Lancer GSR model, which also featured full time 4WD but a milder appearance package and a smaller 1.8 liter 4G93T engine. Mitsubishi continued selling 1.8 turbo 4WD GSR models alongside the faster Evolution models throughout the sixth and seventh generation Lancer’s lifespans, although they are very rare.
As with the previous Galant VR4, a lightweight RS version was available which omitted electric windows, A/C and other luxuries. Mechanically identical to the GSR aside from a mechanical plate type rear limited-slip differential (LSD). The GSR came with all of the conveniences of a typical street car, including a digital screen climate control system. It came with Mitsubishi's 4G63 engine producing at 6,000 rpm and at 3,000 rpm. 5,000 of the first generation Evolutions were sold between 1992 and 1993. Top speed was . The GSR version of the Evolution I was the only Evolution Lancer released with a viscous limited-slip rear differential (VLSD). The subsequent Evolution Lancer models all featured rear mechanical plate type LSD's.
Evolution II
The Evolution II was upgraded in December 1993, and was produced until February 1995. It mainly consisted of handling improvements, including minor wheelbase adjustments, lighter front swaybar that connected via swaybar links to the front struts, bodywork tweaks including a larger spoiler, and tires that were wider. This Evolution also has a fuel tank. Power output was increased to from the same engine and torque was unchanged for both GSR and RS models. Most cars came with OZ 5-spoke wheels from the factory, although the RS models (mostly sold to privateer racing teams) left the factory with steel wheels.
Evolution III
February 1995 saw the arrival of the Evolution III, following a pre-release in 1993 which had several improvements over the previous models. New, more aggressive styling and a new nose moulding improved the air supply to the radiator, intercooler and brakes. New side skirts and rear bumper moldings and a larger rear spoiler were added to reduce lift. The engine was improved and had a higher compression ratio than before, and a new turbocharger compressor (65 mm to 68 mm), which resulted in a power output of at 6,250 rpm and torque of at 3,000 rpm. As per the previous Evolution II, an RS model was available.
8,998 GSRs were built, along with 1,082 RS models, making for a total of 10,080 examples of the Evolution III.
Evolution IV
The Lancer platform was redesigned in 1996, and along with it, the Evolution. The engine and transaxle were rotated 180° to better balance the weight and eliminate torque steer.
There were two versions available, the RS and GSR. The RS version was produced as a competition car with a limited-slip front differential and a friction-type LSD at the rear. It also came with GLX seats and a choice of either 15-inch or OZ lightweight racing wheels. The RS also had wind-up windows, optional air conditioning in some models, and a few extra brace bars to strengthen the chassis, one behind the front grille and another across the boot floor, and an aluminum rear strut tower brace.
The GSR and the RS shared a new twin-scroll turbocharger which helped to improve response and increase power to at 6,500 rpm and torque at 3,000 rpm. Mitsubishi's new Active Yaw Control appeared as a factory standard on the GSR model, which used steering, throttle input sensors and g sensors to computer-hydraulically control torque split individually to the rear wheels. Mitsubishi had planned to produce only 6,000 Evolution IVs, which were completely sold out just three days after its release.
The Evolution IV can be distinguished by its two large fog lights in the front bumper (option on RS version), and the newly designed tail lights on the rear, which became a standard design to Evolution V, which would become yet another trademark of the Evolution series, note the RS has no light mounts on the boot/trunk for further weight saving.
This new generation was slightly heavier than previous Evo's—the GSR in particular due to the added technology systems—but to counter this, the car produced even more power—the weight of the RS being and the GSR being (sunroof model ).
Much of the technical improvements for this generation were also used in the second-generation Mitsubishi RVR originally sold only in Japan but since exported to Australia and New Zealand. The Evolution IV was the last model to be considered "compact" according to Japanese dimension regulations. RS – "Rally Sport" – Shortened close-ratio 5-speed transmission, minimal interior, front worm-gear LSD and rear 1.5-way LSD, front end crossbar, 15-inch steel wheels, Lancer GLXi Front Seats (non-bucket seats), manual windows and mirrors. (Optional: manual air conditioning, PIAA front fog lights, anti-lock brakes, Lamco-Mitsubishi boost gauge.) GSR – "Gran Sport Racing" – 5-speed manual transmission, AYC (Active Yaw Control), anti-lock brakes, black-red Recaro front bucket seats, Driver and Passenger-side Airbag, full auto air conditioner, Single DIN AM/FM/Cassette Stereo player with rear windscreen integrated antenna, PIAA front fog lights, power windows, 16-inch OZ Racing F1 wheels, rear windscreen wiper, optional: sunroof, Lamco-Mitsubishi boost gauge, Double DIN TV Tuner/CD Player head unit.
Evolution V
Many aspects of the car were changed such as: The interior was upgraded in the GSR version with a better class of Recaro seats. The body kit had flared arches at the front and rear and a new aluminum rear spoiler replaced the IV FRP version and gave an adjustable angle of attack to alter rear downforce. (In process of doing so, the Evolution V onwards was no longer considered "compact" according to Japanese dimension regulations, as the car was now wider than regulated limit of ). The track was widened by , the wheel offset changed from ET45 to ET38 along with the wheel diameter which rose from 16 inches to 17 inches to accommodate Brembo brakes. The brake master cylinder bore increased by . The engine was strengthened in a few areas and the cam duration was increased. The pistons were lighter with a smaller skirt area. 510-cc injectors were replaced with 560-cc injectors for better engine reliability due to more electrical "headroom" and the ECU was changed to include a flash ROM, allowing more boost pressure to the same TD05-HR turbocharger as the Mitsubishi Evolution IV.
Furthermore, the turbocharger was again improved. Torque was increased to at 3,000 rpm. Power officially stayed the same, at . RS – "rally sport" close-ratio 5-speed manual transmission, minimal interior, rally suspension, 1.5-way limited-slip differential, (auto air conditioner, Enkei wheels, Recaro bucket seats, Brembo brakes, power windows are available as an option). GSR – 5-speed manual transmission, gauge pack, AYC (Active Yaw Control), anti-lock brakes, driver and passenger-side airbags, Recaro front bucket and rear seats, auto air conditioner, single DIN AM/FM/cassette stereo player, power windows, and Brembo brakes It still retains the distinctive features of the IV generation, such as the large fog lights.
Evolution VI
The Evolution VI's changes mainly focused on cooling and engine durability. It received a larger intercooler, larger oil cooler, and new pistons, along with a titanium-aluminide turbine wheel for the RS model, the first in a production car. Output was rated at at 6,500 rpm and maximum torque of at 3,000 rpm.
The Evolution VI received new bodywork yet again, with the most easily noticeable change being within the front bumper where the big fog lights were reduced in size and moved to the corners for better airflow. A new model was added to the GSR and RS lineup; known as the RS2, it was an RS with a few of the GSR's options. Another limited-edition RS was known as the RS Sprint, an RS tuned by Ralliart in the UK to be lighter and more powerful with .