Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a sports sedan, manufactured by the Japanese auto manufacturer, the Mitsubishi Motors, which is derived from the standard Lancer. As on date, there have been ten authorized versions, and the title of each model is most generally a Roman numeral. All the models of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution are powered by turbocharged, 2.0-liter engines and they come with the four-wheel drive mode.

At first, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was planned for Japanese markets only, but the grey import market requirement led the Evolution chain to be presented through Ralliart seller networks in the UK and in different automotive markets in Europe from 1998. The manufacturer of the vehicle determined to export the eighth generation Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution in 2003 to the United States, subsequent to witnessing the achievement that Subaru faced in that market through the Subaru Impreza WRX STi, its long-time direct competitor.

Japanese-spec sedans were restricted by a gentlemen's accord to promote not more than 276 HP (206 kW), a mark previously attained by Evolution IV. So, each subsequent model has informally evolved above the promoted power marks, with the Japanese-spec Evolution IX achieving an alleged power output of 317 HP (236 kW). A range of versions available in other automotive markets, chiefly the United Kingdom, have a maximum authorized power output of 440 HP (328 kW).

Mitsubishi launched a concept edition of the next-generation Evolution at the thirty-ninth Motor Show in Tokyo in 2005 under the name the Concept-X, which was designed by Omer Halilhodzic at the European design centre of Mitsubishi.

Mitsubishi introduced the Prototype-X, a second concept sedan at the International Auto Show in North America in 2007.

The tenth and last generation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was introduced in 2007 in Japan and in overseas markets during 2008.

The sedan, Evolution X is equipped with a new 2.0-liter, 4B11T turbocharged, I-4, all-aluminum GEMA engine. Though the power and torque of all engines were set according to the market requirements, all engines were tuned to offer the minimum power of 276 HP (206 kW), it was slightly increased for the American models. For American models, the engines were tuned to provide power between 300 HP (220 kW) and 360 HP (270 kW).

In the United States, Mitsubishi offered the Lancer Evolution X in two models. One model is the Lancer Evolution MR, which is equipped with a six-speed, dual clutch transmission. The other model is the Lancer Evolution GSR that comes with a five-speed manual transmission. The sedan also comes with an innovative full-time all-wheel drive system, called S-AWC, which is a highly developed edition of AWC system of Mitsubishi used in earlier generations. The S-AWC system employs torque vectoring know-how to send diverse amounts of torque to the back wheels.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution also comes with a new sequential semi-automatic six paced SST dual-clutch transmission with magnesium alloy shift paddles, mounted on the steering. It has restored the Tiptronic mechanical transmission, and thus, the SST edition restored the GT-A edition. A five paced manual transmission will be available, as well. The new model Lancer Evolution from Mitsubishi will also include the RISE safety body of Mitsubishi's next generation.