Gearheads world wide let loose a collective sigh when Mitsubishi introduced in 2014 that the Lancer Evolution X can be the ultimate chapter within the decade-or-so-long story of the commanding nameplate. The mannequin thrilled JDM fanatics and efficiency junkies alike because of its small-but-mighty four-pot engine and superior electronics, which ensured it may nook like a demon.
Whereas the later ones are the variants to give attention to if you need probably the most efficiency potential, the sooner ones are arguably extra particular on account of kicking off the nameplate fully. The very first Lancer Evo is a real legend, and you may choose them up lately for a lot lower than you’d count on.
This piece explores the story and present used values of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution I, the primary variant of the legendary sports activities sedan nameplate.
The First Lancer Evolution Was Developed So Mitsubishi Might Be Extra Aggressive In Rallying
Wanting as an example to the world that it was a pressure in producing efficiency automobiles, Mitsubishi elected to give attention to excelling in rallying within the late Nineteen Sixties. The Japanese model was one of many producers current for the World Rally Championship’s inauguration in 1973, and it remained a daily competitor for the a long time following this. By the late Nineteen Eighties, the marque was using its Galant VR-4 sedan within the globetrotting sequence.
Regardless of claiming six WRC occasion wins throughout 4 seasons of competitors, Mitsubishi acknowledged that the Galant was a bit too massive to chop it towards smaller and extra agile rivals just like the Ford Escort Cosworth and Lancia Delta Integrale. For the 1993 WRC season, the producer elected to develop a rally model of its Lancer sedan, which was significantly smaller than the Galant. To make sure the automotive might be homologated for the WRC, Mitsubishi needed to construct 5,000 examples for the street, and manufacturing bought underway in 1992.
The Lancer Evo Proved Aggressive Instantly, However Was Quickly Changed
The brand new automotive impressed on debut within the 1993 Monaco occasion by ending fourth and sixth, with the car finally claiming its first podium end in solely its third outing. A seasons-best runners-up consequence would come within the campaign-ending occasion in the UK, illustrating that Mitsubishi was onto one thing with its new challenger. It wanted to be developed to maintain up with its ever-improving competitors although, main the model to shortly introduce the Evo II after only one spherical of the 1994 season. Consequently, the street model of the Evo resulted in 1994 in favor of the improved Lancer Evo II mannequin.
The First Evo’s Heritage Hasn’t Led To Excessive Values
Contemplating how necessary the Lancer Evo I used to be to Mitsubishi’s glittering rally historical past, you’d assume that one of many 5,000 street variations can be value a fairly penny over three a long time on from its introduction. In response to Traditional.com, which collates public sale listings from across the US, the common sale worth of a used Lancer Evo I at the moment stacks up at simply $11,913, which is a little bit of a cut price for such a historic car.
1992-1994 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution I | |
|---|---|
Engine | 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 |
Transmission | 5-Velocity Handbook |
Energy | 250 hp |
Torque | 228 lb-ft |
0-60 mph | 5.1 seconds |
Common Used Worth | $11,913 |
The largest bother you may have when shopping for an Evo I is discovering one within the first place, because the car was solely ever offered natively in its residence market of Japan. Consequently, the one specimens you may discover within the US are ones which were imported throughout, and only a few have made the journey throughout the ocean. Of those, many have coated appreciable mileage, primarily on account of how usable the fashions are on a day-to-day foundation.
Tidy Evos Can Set You Again A Truthful Quantity Extra
When you’re fascinated by securing one in higher situation, you may must price range nearer to $25k to $30k, although good offers can nonetheless be had. Take a 1992 instance offered by way of Automobiles and Bids in February 2024, which was supplied with 77,000 miles on the clock. It was usually fairly tidy, with solely the standard physique harm and lightweight corrosion being listed as points. The automotive was finally offered for $13,500.
The Evo I Gives A Thrilling Driving Expertise
Unsurprisingly, provided that the Lancer Evo I used to be developed to slay the world’s most difficult roads at breakneck pace, it is fairly succesful when you get behind the wheel. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine produces a wholesome 250 hp which, when mixed with its comparatively light-weight 2,700-pound body, is sufficient to get it to 60 mph in simply 5 seconds. Eager to switch as a lot information because it had discovered from operating the Galant to the Lancer, Mitsubishi additionally outfitted it with the previous’s superior four-wheel-drive system and viscous middle differential.
The 2 components ensured that the Lancer Evo I produced an superior degree of grip from every of its 4 wheels, which enhanced efficiency on dry roads, however notably when issues bought slippery or uneven. The car additionally bought a close-ratio gearbox to enhance acceleration and the car’s eagerness, in addition to a beefed-up Brembo braking system.
Mitsubishi’s Rally Weapon Additionally Appeared The Half
The Lancer Evo I wasn’t precisely shy about its efficiency both, courtesy of the aggressive physique equipment that included a brand new entrance bumper, vented hood, and rear spoiler, in addition to sportier alloy wheels. The identical might be stated for the cockpit, as racy extras like a Momo steering wheel and Recaro bucket seats had been thrown in to assist guarantee driver management was on level. It might have lacked the purposeful paint scheme of its WRC-focused sibling, however the road-going Lancer Evo I used to be simply as critical.
The First Lancer Evo Was The Launchpad For A Legend
As the extent of know-how featured in WRC automobiles escalated ever additional throughout the Nineties and 2000s, Mitsubishi continued to develop newer variations of the Lancer Evolution to maintain up with the instances. New fashions turned up each couple of years, with every wanting extra aggressive and critical than the final, whereas additionally packing ever extra fascinating and efficient tech. Lively Yaw Management and twin-scroll turbocharging made their debut in 1996 aboard the Evo IV, with the previous basically working as a differential that would regulate how a lot energy was despatched to the entrance and rear axles to control understeer and oversteer. Later fashions featured extra elaborate aerodynamic packages, in addition to extra highly effective engines and developed electronics.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Mannequin Historical past
- Evo I (1992-1994)
- Evo II (1994-1995)
- Evo III (1995-1996)
- Evo IV (1996-1998)
- Evo V (1998-1999)
- Evo VI (1999-2001)
- Evo VII (2001-2003)
- Evo VIII (2003-2005)
- Evo IX (2005-2007)
- Evo X (2007-2016)
This theme continued for over twenty years till Mitsubishi finally elected to ditch the mannequin on account of falling gross sales and a necessity for the model to supply extra environmentally pleasant fashions. The model had exited the WRC practically a decade prior in 2005 in addition, so the Lancer Evo wasn’t even essential from a homologation standpoint, making the choice to ditch it that rather more simple. With the world going EV loopy, and Mitsubishi not being within the rosiest of positions financially, the probabilities of the mannequin coming again are very slim.
However not inconceivable.
Sources: Mitsubishi.
