Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution timeline

The first Lancer Evolution used the 2.0 L turbocharged DOHC engine which made 247 horsepower and had a 5 speed manual transmission. The first Evolution was offered as either a GSR trimmed as a fully comfortable street car or as an RS stripped of luxuries like power windows and anti lock brakes to save more than 150 pounds of weight. Mitsubishi built 5000 during 1992 and 1993, all were right hand drive and all were sold in Japan.

In 1994, the Evolution evolved into the Evolution II with a slightly longer wheelbase, wider front and rear tracks, slightly larger tires on 15 inch wheels and its 4G63T engine made 256 horsepower. The Evolution II looked barely different from the first edition.

The Lancer Evolution III had new styling, improved improved aerodynamics with more downforce, and a new turbocharger that boosted engine output up to 266 horses. But the best news about the III wasn’t anything mechanical, it would be the first Evo driven in World Rally competition by the great Tommi Mäkinen.

Due to Mäkinen’s success, the legend of the Mitsubishi Evo soon spread beyond Japan.The Evo IV debuted in 1996, was based on a new generation Lancer platform and the revised power train, which included a new twin scroll turbocharger and gained an additional 10 horsepower. An active rear differential was included for the first time as part of a new Active Yaw Control system, it used various sensors and a computer to redistribute torque to whichever of the four wheels could use it best.

Detail changes on the Evolution V included flared wheel arches, bigger 17 inch wheels and tires, upgraded suspension, and an adjustable rear wing. Japanese laws that restricted power output had Mitsubishi stating the 4G63T engine made 276 horsepower in the Evo V, but mostly everyone assumed that output stretched beyond 300 horsepower.

Besides the usual RS and GSR versions of the Evo VI, new RS2 and RS Sprint models were introduced. In 1999, a Tommi Mäkinen Edition was introduced flying similar paint designs as the great driver’s rally rides. Other changes in the Tommi Mäkinen Edition included trim variations, Recaro seats with special logos, and aerodynamic tweaks. This model is sometimes referred to as the “Evo 6.5” and is considered collectible. Mitsubishi still wasn’t exporting the Evo to the United States.

The Evo VII power remains the same as that of the current Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition, but torque was 282 lb ft at 3200 rpm. In 2003 Universal Pictures released 2 Fast 2 Furious. With some product placement help from Mitsubishi, the Evo VII got screen time as one of the primary rides for Brian O’Conner, played by Paul Walker. The successful third Gran Turismo game was released in 2001, it included 10 Evo iterations and created fans who demanded the car appear in American dealerships.

By 2003, Mitsubishi was finally ready to bring the Lancer Evolution to America. With the Evo VIII an immediate hit in America, Mitsubishi began filling its dealerships. The 271 horsepower Evo VIII defeated the Subaru WRX STI in a comparison test. Its transverse mounted 2.0 liter DOHC I4 is turbocharged with a maximum of 19.5 lbs of boost. Its power delivery is uneven and at low speed, there's a two second gap between throttle application and full turbo boost.

The Evolution IX made its debut at the New York auto show in April 2005. Exterior changes include new front and rear bumpers, with the former sporting two oval openings that aid the intercooler, an available Gurney flap a thin wing extension that increases downforce to the rear. A faux carbon fiber panel on the dash, and Recaro seats covered in pseudo suede and leather. Under the IX’s aluminum hood is the 4G63 turbocharged inline four cylinder engine. The result is ten more horsepower up to 286.

The Lancer Evolution X's arrival in 2008 marked the first fully all new Evo since the first one. The Evo X is less communicative, larger, heavier, and slower compared with the previous Evo. In 2016 Final Edition production was announced, only 1600 units will be shipped to the U.S., each one equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and 12 extra horsepower. Mitsubishi also fitted the Final Edition models and once they're gone, the Evo as we know it is dead.