The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, popularly referred to as the ‘Evo’,[1] is a sports sedan and rally car based on the Lancer that was manufactured by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors from 1992 until 2016.
source.image: Doug DeMuro
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 16-inch 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.
Advertisement
The GSR and the RS shared a new twin-scroll turbocharger which helped to improve response and increase power to 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 353 N⋅m (260 lb⋅ft) 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. Inside, the GSR featured race-bucket seats and better equipment, such as air-conditioning or power windows. For some countries, it was available with a sunroof.