Evo , Evolution , LanEvo , these are just some of the many nicknames acquired by the Lancer Evolution , a turbocharged sedan with all-wheel drive, with which the Mitsubishi automaker delighted drivers and rally fans. For a full 22 years, this gem made us happy and fueled a healthy rivalry with the Impreza WRX , but now it seems that after ten generations… sorry, evolutions , the water will close behind it. We won't see another Roman numeral, which traditionally marked a new version. Originally, the Evolution was intended only for the Japanese market, thanks to gray imports, however, similar to the competing WRX , it gained ground in Britain and later throughout Europe .
Lancer EVO I
After the summer of 1992, production of the legendary Evolution started for the first time. Right from the start, it received a turbocharged two-liter and four-wheel drive from the Galant VR-4 model. But it originally boasted the name Lancer GSR and Lancer RS . The RS version was similar to the Impreza RA , i.e. a basic model with emergency equipment suitable for further modifications for racing purposes, which weighed 1238 kg. Even so, for example, it had a rear self-locking differential . On the contrary, the GSR was equipped for comfortable travel. This road model had an output of 182 kW and reached a maximum speed of 228 km/h.
Lancer EVO II
The second version hit the market in December 1993 and remained in production until February 1995. The main emphasis of the developers was on improving the steering . A larger pressure strut, wider wheels and lighter stabilizers contributed to the improvement of the car's handling. Power rose slightly to 188 kW. You still had the RS and GSR versions to choose from.
Lancer EVO III
It was introduced for the first time in February 1995. It attracted attention with a more aggressive appearance adapted for better air access to the radiator, intercooler and brakes. In addition to the front bumper, the rear bumper, sill extensions and the car received a larger rear wing were also modified. The compression ratio of the engine was increased. Thanks to this, power increased to 201 kW at 6,250 rpm and torque to 309 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The offer of two versions RS and GSR remained unchanged.
Lancer EVO IV
Compared to the third evolution, the fourth one from 1996 was completely modified and became very popular in many parts of the world. Thanks to further modifications, the power increased to 206 kW and the torque to 330 Nm. At first glance, the big fog lights, which you could have in the RS version as well, were confusing. It still represented an ideal car suitable for conversion into a racing special. It got a new rear limited slip differential , new seats and you had a choice between 16 and 17 inch OZ wheels. Some models also had air conditioning. To save weight, the car featured thinner glass and body panels. This made the weight of the car 1260 kg, while the weight of the road version of the GSR was 1345 kg.
Lancer EVO V
The design of the car has been completely changed. The GSR version received new, more comfortable Recaro seats . The standard wheels were increased to 17 inches and the brakes were supplied by Brembo . The engine was completely redesigned with lighter pistons and new injectors. The control unit and turbocharger were also modified. The torque increased to 373 Nm, but the power was still officially stated at 206 kW.
Lancer EVO VI
The main modifications focused on engine cooling, the car thus had a larger intercooler, a larger oil cooler and new pistons. The changes also affected the appearance. Due to less air resistance, the fog lamps were moved to the edge of the bumper and made smaller. A new intermediate type RS2 was wedged between the GSR and RS models, when the RS model was supplemented with some equipment elements from the GSR model. The Ralliart racing department in Britain then prepared a special edition RS Sprint , which was lighter and had increased power to 246 kW. In 1999, a special edition was released. Named Tommi Mäkinen Edition , it was named after the Finnish driver who won 4 consecutive World Championship titles with Lancer EVOs and helped the brand win the title in the 1998 season. The edition was distinguished by a different front bumper, black and red Recaro seats with Mäkinen's name emblem backrests, 17-inch Enkei rims in white, a leather steering wheel and shift knob from Momo , a lowered ground clearance and improved power steering. In addition to red, which you couldn't get on any other Evolution , the choices were white, black, blue or silver. Customers could also choose special decals in the styles of the competition cars. This car is sometimes referred to as the lancer EVO 6.5 .
Lancer EVO VII
The seventh evolution appeared in 2001 and was built on the platform of the larger Lancer Cedia passenger car. The Ralliart department used it as a homologation basis for the construction of the first WRC special for rally races. The larger car was understandably heavier than the previous version, but Mitsubishi worked a lot on the technical specification of the car. An active center differential and also a self-locking differential were new. The power of the car was 206 kW and the torque was 385 Nm.
Lancer EVO VIII
The eighth evolution hit the market during 2003 and was the first to be officially sold in the US . In the basic version, it got seventeen-inch gray Enkei wheels, Brembo brakes and Bilstein shock absorbers. The car's power was 202 kW and the five-speed manual transmission still remained. In addition to the classic GSR and RS versions, the SSL version with a sunroof, a subwoofer in the trunk and leather seats has also appeared in the menu. Another version was the MR with a modified limited slip differential, an aluminum shifter head and a carbon handbrake handle. Due to the lightness and lower center of gravity, the car had seventeen-inch BBS wheels and an aluminum roof. A six-speed manual transmission was also new. Modifications included a Bilstein shock absorber, which improved handling. Special editions for the UK market were named FQ300 , FQ320 , FQ340 and FQ400 according to engine power. However, the labeling was not accurate, so the individual versions had 305, 325, 345 and 405 hp (ie 227, 239, 254 and 302 kW). Fans derived the name from the words " Fucking quick ". But the FQ400 version was really very fast, with a weight of only 1450 kg it reached 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and continued to the final 282 km/h. Even the Lamborghini Murciélago couldn't drive this version in the show Top Gear .
Lancer EVO IX
From March 3, 2005, you could buy the ninth evolution on the Japanese market, and on the same day the automaker exhibited it at the Geneva Motor Show. A version for the North American market was introduced a month later in New York . Again, it was sold in four versions, i.e. GSR , RS , SE and MR , which differed in both technical details and equipment. The MR version received new Bilstein shock absorbers, a six-speed manual gearbox, xenons, fog lights and lightweight BBS wheels. Traditionally, you sat in comfortable Recaro seats , braked thanks to Brembo and steered with a Momo steering wheel. Other models except the MR received new Enkei wheels. The driver could now choose the driving modes "asphalt", "gravel" and "snow". A special version of the MR Ralliart , which was based on the GSR , was released in Japan . For example, it had a carbon spoiler or black wheels from the sports department. Again, you could have MR versions in different powers named FQ-300 , FQ-320 , FQ-340 , FQ-360 and FQ-400 .
Lancer EVO X
The first concept of the most recent evolution was presented under the name Concept-X at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, but it did not reach the market in Japan until 2007, in Britain a year later. Under the hood, it received a completely new turbocharged two-liter inline four-cylinder engine with an output of 206 kW. The British version even had 220 or up to 270 kW. Thanks to this, he reached 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The MR version had a six-speed gearbox with paddles, the classic GSR model had to settle for a five-speed. The car had S-AWC permanent all-wheel drive. It is actually an improved AWC system from older models, which now had a unique torque transfer system.
But unfortunately, even that is not enough. and this year, after many announcements by Mitsubishi , production is definitively ending. The manufacturer has already talked about the successor many times, the only question is whether it will be an SUV or a coupe, which, in addition to the Evolution , could also be the successor to the 3000 GT coupe . Mitsubishi also scares us with a hybrid drive . We can only hope that it will be a driver's car anyway.
Photo: autowp.ru
