the history of the lancer evolution for those interested.

[benjamin]

The History of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolu-tion
Every EVO Ever!

By Jason Kavanagh
Photography: Josh Jacquot

From the beginning, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution existed solely to succeed in the World Rally Championship, and the production car was simply a byproduct of homologation rules. The Evolution series has been true to its name, representing a methodical motorsport development process that has brought about some truly awe-inspiring street cars with a cult-like notoriety.

Evolution I
Chassis Code CD9A


Flush with success from its Galant VR-4 and hungry for WRC victory, Mitsubishi determined in 1990 that further success would require a new platform. To that end, Mitsubishi engineers started with VR-4's proven drivetrain and shoehorned it into the lighter, smaller Lancer chassis and the Evolution I was born.

However, competition in WRC's Group A required the homologation of 2,500 production models. No problem. Offered in GSR and RS flavors, 5,000 EVO Is were snapped up between September 1992 and December 1993. Mitsubishi's intent behind the lightweight RS model was to provide a good starting point for building a club-level rally car.

So why include parts that will be tossed later? With that philosophy in mind, RS models were sold with steel wheels, manual windows, and cheap seats. ABS was not offered on RS models, nor was a rear wiper. The GSR, intended to serve street-car duty, included power windows, air conditioning, Recaro seats, alloy wheels and carpets, helping to bring the GSR's total weight to 2,730 pounds, 155 pounds more than the RS. Keep in mind the Japanese weigh their cars with no fuel, spare, or jack, so make a mental conversion over to American-style curb weights.

Throughout the EVO's life, motivation was provided by the VR-4's stout iron-blocked turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC 4G63 engine. EVO I got a lighter crankshaft, higher compression pistons, new connecting rods, plus a new port geometry, bringing output to 228 lb-ft at 3000 rpm and 247 hp at 6000 rpm; 10 more than the VR-4. The VR-4's established AWD drivetrain and five-speed W5M33 gearbox, with a double-cone synchro added to second gear, were carried over.

The EVO's suspension consisted of MacPherson front struts and a multi-link rear, with pillow-ball mounts replacing the base Lancer's rubber bushings in the control arms and toe-control links. The lowly Lancer chassis was beefed up to cope with the rigors of rally use, giving a 20-percent increase in torsional rigidity. Extra beef equals weight, so undercoating was removed on all Evolution RS models through EVO V.

Evolution II
Chassis Code CE9A

The Lancer Evolution II, built from December 1993 to January 1995, was focused primarily on improving the handling of the EVO I. Though the same fundamental chassis was used in Evolutions I-III, EVO II brought a 10mm increase in wheelbase accomplished by moving the front wheels forward. Vehicle track was increased at both ends to accommodate larger tires (now 205/60-15; up from 195/55-15), while longer control arms in front and a revised swaybar mounting arrangement enhanced steering response. Aerodynamic tweaks like a front air dam and an additional rear spoiler support improved vehicle stability at higher speeds.

Mitsubishi intended to improve power output with each Evolution, and EVO II started the trend. Boost pressure was increased, higher-lift cams were fitted, and detail changes to the exhaust reduced backpressure. Power of the 4G63 was now up to 256 hp, while torque remained unchanged at 228 lb-ft, propelling a vehicle weight of 2,750 pounds for GSR models and 2,600 pounds for RS models.

Evolution III
Chassis Code CE9A

Speeds on tarmac stages were getting higher, so reducing lift and improving cooling performance became priorities in Evolution III. A larger rear wing, a front airdam with brake cooling vents, and rocker panel extensions were fitted and, you guessed it, power was up again.


Ongoing improvements to the engine's breathing were rendering the existing turbo, a TD05H-16G-7, a liability Ã