The battle between Japanese brands for international rally superiority was fierce and protracted, and by 2003 there was no clear winner.
Mitsubishi, which entered the World Rally Championship fray during the 1980s would win as a Manufacturer only once. However, on four occasions and each time with the freakishly gifted Tommi Makinen driving, it would take the Driver’s Championship.
Toyota during the 1990s added only once to its list of titles but Subaru was there all the way, with its final win of the World Rally Car era coming in 2003.
Mitsubishi’s weapon of choice during this era was a purpose-built version of the all-wheel drive Lancer turbo, known as the Evolution or EVO. By 1999 it had ‘evolved’ in to a Version VI which in turn would spawn a special ‘Makinen 6.5’ edition to celebrate the lead driver’s remarkable sequence of WRC Driver’s title wins.
An EVO VII followed in 2001, introducing a longer 2625mm wheelbase and redesigned body. Part-way through the VII model cycle, six-speed transmission was introduced as was the GT-A automatic – a version that would bring Lancer EVO ownership to a significantly larger audience.
EVOs prior to the auto version’s arrival had been uncompromising and, for some, uncomfortable performance cars. The cabins were cramped and the Recaro-sourced seats heavily bolstered to keep occupants upright when subjected to prodigious levels of lateral G.
In 2001 Wheels magazine tested an $80,000 EVO VI against a trio of more expensive performance machines and, while not impressed by its road noise and firm ride, described the handling as “impressively thrilling”.
On the drag strip the EVO VI test car shot from rest to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds – beaten only by the Audi RS6 – and topped everything else with a sizzling 2.2 seconds in the 80-110km/h overtaking contest.
A small number of Makinen EVOs arrived as official Mitsubishi imports, priced at $79,990 and available only from May-December 2001. Apart from a handful imported for competition use, other EVO VI and VII models in our market will have begun life in the Japanese domestic market before being exported and complied to meet local regulations.
Advertised prices for cars in quite similar condition can differ markedly so compare features and distances travelled when considering a selection of cars. Around $35K should be enough to buy a very good EVO VI or VII, with Makinen versions commonly offered in the $60K range.
