Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, colloquially known as the Evo or Lan Evo is a high-performance sedan manufactured by Mitsubishi. There have been ten official versions to date, and the designation of each model is most commonly a roman numeral. All use two liter, turbocharged engines and four-wheel drive systems.

The 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 1998. Mitsubishi decided to export the eighth generation Evolution to the United States in 2003 after witnessing the success Subaru had in that market with their long-time direct rival, the Subaru Impreza WRX STi.

Japanese-spec cars were limited by a gentlemen's agreement to advertise no more than 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp), a mark already reached by Evolution IV. Therefore, each subsequent version has unofficially evolved above the advertised power figures, with the Japanese-spec Evolution IX (CT9A) reaching an alleged output of around 321 PS (236 kW; 317 hp). Various versions available in other markets, particularly the UK, have official power outputs up to 446 PS (328 kW; 440 hp).

The tenth and final generation of the Lancer Evolution (CZ4A) was launched in Japan 2007, and overseas markets in 2008. Production ceased by end of March 2016, and the car-maker has chosen to focus on vehicles that incorporate electric technology. A "Final Edition" was offered with special production number badges.

The 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th generations of the Lancer Evolution were only seen on the anime. The 9th and 10th generations of the Lancer Evolution only appeared in the Arcade Stage series as a playable car, though the five Evos that appeared in the show are also playable.

Notable owners

 * The Lancer Evolutions are mostly the signature cars of Emperor in the series. They use these vehicles to defeat various teams over Gunma, claiming their cars as "kings of the mountains".
 * Kyoichi Sudo, the leader of Emperor, drives a black Lancer Evolution III GSR as his personal vehicle. He uses it to defeat Takumi Fujiwara at Akagi after the latter blew out his engine but tells him that it wasn't considered an actual race and more of a seminar for Takumi to have a better car since the Eight-Six is far too old to match his level. Kyoichi would later use the Evo to finally settle the score with Ryosuke Takahashi at the same course and later against Takumi Fujiwara in a rematch at Irohazaka, the home turf of Emperor.
 * Ren Nogami, another member of Emperor, also drives a Lancer Evolution III but colored white.
 * Seiji Iwaki drives a 1996 white Lancer Evolution IV RS (CN9A) model as his main vehicle for racing. He uses this Lancer Evolution to defeat various drivers and teams over Gunma such as Thunder Fire and Takeshi Nakazato of the Myogi NightKids. Seiji would later use this car to race against Takumi Fujiwara but later lost to him when the latter used the same technique he previously did during his race against Ryosuke Takahashi, thus breaking Emperor's winning streak and resulting Seiji to be slapped by Kyoichi for disobedience. He would later use this car to race against Keisuke Takahashi.
 * Satake drives another white Lancer Evolution IV which he uses to race against Impact Blue.


 * Another team based on Tsuchisaka also uses Lancer Evolutions as their signature cars similar to Emperor. Unlike Emperor, however, they mostly win by any means necessary (including cheating) and race for money just so they can promote a garage they're affiliated with. The Evos they primary use are the fifth and sixth generations of the car.
 * Aikawa (simply called the Man of the Evo V or Kuro Waru) drives a white Lancer Evolution V GSR that he uses in his race against Keisuke Takahashi, who had to borrow Kyoko Iwase's RX-7 after his yellow one got sabotaged by an oil slick caused by members of the Tsuchisaka Lan Evo team. He loses when Keisuke takes the inside when the two cars drive a long straightaway with a construction barrier on the left side of the road, leaving him to curse in anger for nearly causing an accident.
 * Ichijo (simply called the Man of the Evo VI or Shiro Waru) drives a white Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI (CP9A) in his race against Takumi Fujiwara. He loses the race when he slips on an oil slick, allowing Takumi to take the lead.
 * Kobayakawa of Team 246 drives a yellow modified Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII in his race against Keisuke Takahashi.

Specs

 * Engine Name: 4G63T
 * Engine Type: I4 DOHC
 * Max power: 310/350 hp / 6250 rev / min (stock: 270 hp)
 * Maximum torque: 34.8 kgm / 3000 rev / min
 * Displacement: 1997 cc
 * Drivetrain: 4WD
 * Aspiration: Turbo
 * Length: 4310 mm
 * Height: 1420 mm
 * Width: 1695 mm
 * Weight: 1300 kg
 * Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission
 * Accessories (Kyoichi Sudo): custom head gasket, high flow turbine housing, anti-lag system, boost controller, boost gauge, Recaro seats.
 * Known drivers: Kyoichi Sudo, Ren Nogami

Specs

 * Engine Name: 4G63T
 * Engine Type: I4 DOHC, turbocharged and intercooled
 * Max power: 300 hp / 6500 rev / min (previous 276hp)
 * Maximum torque: 37.3 kgm / 3000 rev / min
 * Displacement: 1997 cc
 * Drivetrain: 4WD
 * Aspiration: Turbo
 * Length: 4330 mm
 * Height: 1415 mm
 * Width: 1690 mm
 * Weight: 1400 kg
 * Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission
 * Known drivers: Seiji Iwaki, Satake

Mitsubishi introduced Active Yaw Control with the Evo IV which was incorporated into the GSR model but left out of the more pure track oriented RS version. Another new piece of engineering that was introduced in the Evo IV was the twin scroll turbocharger which aided in the speed of power delivery.

Specifications

 * Engine Name: 4G63T
 * Engine: I4 DOHC
 * Max power: 295 hp / 6500 rev / min
 * Displacement: 1997 cc
 * Drivetrain: 4WD
 * Aspiration: Turbo
 * Length: 4350 mm
 * Height: 1415 mm
 * Width: 1770 mm
 * Weight: 1260 kg
 * Transmission: 5-speed manual
 * Accessories (Man in Evo V): Volk Racing TE37 (bronze) wheels
 * Known drivers: Aikawa (Man in Evo V)

Specs

 * Engine Name: 4G63T
 * Engine: I4 DOHC
 * Max power: 280 hp / 6500 rev / min
 * Max Torque: 38 kgm / 3000 rev / min
 * Displacement: 1997 cc
 * Drivetrain: 4WD
 * Aspiration: Turbo
 * Length: 4350 mm
 * Height: 1415 mm
 * Width: 1770 mm
 * Weight: 1280 kg
 * Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission
 * Accessories (Man in Evo VI): Rear spoiler removed
 * Known drivers: Ichijo (Man in Evo VI)
 * This generation of the Evo was the first to have the license plate on the right (below the left headlight and adjacent to the left fog lamp).

Technical Specs (factory stock)

 * Engine Name: 4G63T
 * Engine Type: Inline-4 DOHC, 16V, turbocharged and intercooled
 * Maximum power: 300hp/6500rpm
 * Maximum torque: 385 Nm/3000rpm
 * Displacement: 1997 cc
 * Drivetrain: 4WD
 * Aspiration: Turbo
 * Length: 4445 mm
 * Height: 1450 mm
 * Width: 1770 mm
 * Transmission: 5-speed manual
 * Accessories (Kobayakawa): C-West N1 front bumper with front canards + Creative Sports body spoilers (with Voltex GT wing and Creative Sports hood), Racing Hart CP035 (gunmetal) wheels, Ganador mirrors, C-West painted carbon trunk
 * Known drivers: Kobayakawa

Weakness

 * Kyoichi Sudo's Evo III has two weaknesses. The first is turning right onto oncoming traffic (a personal problem), and the second one is that the car is relatively heavy - which means it understeers and is difficult to get into a drift. It also has quite severe turbo lag at low speeds.
 * The Man in Evo VI has one weakness: Braking.