One of the most successful rally cars is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, popularly known as “Evo”. It became immensely popular when it was driven by Tommi Makinen in 1996 to 1999. Back then, Evo collected World Rally Championship titles in three consecutive years. He was helped by Richard Burns making them earn the best team in rallying. In 2001, it was not exactly replaced, but improved by the name of Lancer Evolution WRC, driven by Makinen, Freddy Loix, Alister McRae and Francis Delecour. Mitsubishi Lancer was again succeeded by the Lancer WRC04. Mitsubishi pulled out of the World Rally Championship after the 2005 season but the Lancer Evolution still competes in the Group N category.
It is not just in racing that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution proved its name. The EVO X was named as Canada's Best Performance Car of the Year under $50K by Motoring 2009. It also won the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada 2009 Best New Technology Award, 2008 IIHS Top Safety Pick, one of the top 10 World Performance Car of the Year during 2009 New York International Auto Show Lancer Evolution X. won Automotive Excellence Awards 2008 "Fun to Drive", Dave TV’s “2008 Sports Car of the Year” award, and a whole lot more.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, first intorduced in 1993, was intended for the Japanese market, but because of popular demand, it was offered through Ralliart dealer networks in UK and other European market in 1998. Now, the very competitive car has released ten official versions, so far. Each versions are titled as Evo, followed by Roman Numerals. They all carry two litre, turbocharged engines and four-wheel drive systems. Mitsubishi Lancer is sold around the world.
Its latest generation, the Evolution X(ten) was first seen at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show. It was named as the Concept-X. And in the 2007 North American International Auto Show, a second version was launched called Prototype-X. This time, the Evo X carries a newly designed 4B11T 2.0l (1997cc) turbocharged, all-aluminum inline-4 engine. It will be manufactured in different markets, where the power and torque will be determined. You may find a Japanese model, North American, UK, European, Australian and New Zealand models and South East Asian models. But despite this, all versions will have at least 280PS (205.9kW; 276.2hp) (JDM version).
The body will be lighter now because of the aluminum roof, hood, front quarter-panels, and front and rear bumper beams. The new suspension uses aluminum as well. But the weight saving is more than offset by the new car's stiffer structure and 1.6-inch-wider body. The interior of the 2008 Lancer Evolution is very similar to the regular Lancer lineup and not nearly as sport oriented as its muscular exterior might indicate, with nice Recaro sport bucket seats, a handsome steering wheel and a slightly more exciting looking instrument panel being the only real interior differe
