Background
In the early 1990s Mitsubishi was best known for practical, reliable family cars – solid machines like the Galant, Lancer and Shogun. But tucked away within the company’s ranks was a motorsport division with bigger dreams. Their goal was to build a car that could win rallies and, in doing so, rebrand Mitsubishi as a performance heavyweight.
What emerged was the Lancer Evolution – a humble saloon turned world-class weapon, and a machine that would transform Mitsubishi’s image for a generation.
The idea was simple. Take the lightweight Lancer body and shoehorn in the turbocharged, 2-litre 4G63 engine from the Galant VR-4, then add a sophisticated four-wheel drive system. The result was the Lancer Evolution I, launched in 1992 with a mission: homologation for the World Rally Championship.
Mitsubishi needed to build 2,500 of them to comply with Group A regulations. The car was a hit, selling out quickly and prompting immediate demand for more.
Each new Evolution brought refinements – stronger drivetrains, sharper handling, improved cooling, and more aggressive styling. The Evo II arrived in 1994 with revised suspension geometry and better aerodynamics.
The Evo III of 1995 added more power, a larger rear spoiler, and gained a more purposeful look. These early Evos were raw, unfiltered machines that offered staggering performance on both road and stage.
But it was Mitsubishi’s rally success that truly propelled the Evolution to cult status. Partnering with Ralliart and fielding Finnish driver Tommi Mäkinen, the company found itself in contention with the biggest names in rallying – Subaru, Ford and Toyota.
By the mid-1990s, the Evolution was not only holding its own but dominating. Mäkinen won four consecutive WRC Drivers' Championships from 1996 to 1999, and Mitsubishi took the Constructors’ title in 1998.
As the rally success grew so did the ambition. The Evo IV, launched in 1996, was a turning point. It introduced active yaw control (AYC) – an advanced differential system that could shift torque between the rear wheels to aid cornering – and made the car more stable and capable at high speed.
The styling took on a more aggressive edge, with bonnet vents, larger grilles, and widened arches. It was no longer a slightly tweaked Lancer. It was its own beast.
But for many enthusiasts, it was the Evo V that represented the peak of the early Evolution lineage.
Launched in 1998 the Lancer Evolution V was not just a performance upgrade – it was a statement. With wider tracks, flared arches, and a dramatically larger rear wing, the Evo V looked every bit the road-going rally car.
Under the skin, it featured revised suspension geometry, Brembo brakes, and an upgraded turbo delivering a claimed 276bhp – though many believe the true output was higher.
The Evo V’s chassis was stiffer, the steering sharper and the handling more adjustable than ever before. The car could dart into corners with brutal precision, rotate under throttle like a go-kart, and exit with all four tyres clawing at the road.
The combination of power, grip, and agility made it not just a fast car but a truly involving one – offering drivers the kind of feedback and control usually reserved for competition cars.
Importantly the Evo V also showed that Mitsubishi could make a performance car that was still usable day to day. While it retained a firm, motorsport-inspired ride, it had proper seats, a decent driving position, and enough room for passengers. For enthusiasts, it was a dream machine – one that combined brutal pace with real-world practicality.
In Japan and in export markets where the car was officially sold (like the UK via Ralliart), the Evo V was an instant icon. It cemented the Lancer Evolution’s reputation not just as a rival to Subaru’s Impreza WRX STI, but as a benchmark in its own right. For many, it was the Evo V that struck the perfect balance between raw aggression and refined engineering.
Mitsubishi would go on to develop four more Evolutions, each with increasing levels of sophistication and power. But many fans still regard the Evo V as the purest of the breed – offering the best combination of performance, looks, and rally-bred DNA before the cars grew heavier and more refined.
Ultimately the Lancer Evolution wasn't just a car. It was a declaration that Mitsubishi could compete with the best in the world – not only in showrooms but on the toughest rally stages on the planet. And with the Evo V they didn’t just compete. They conquered.
