Test drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI 1999 - 2000 sedan

Japanese named Myakinen

Among the diverse racing cars, rally is closest to ordinary civilians. Therefore, in the past, a number of outstanding cars of rally heroes were produced by limited series for general use: Lancia Stratos, Audi Quattro Sport, Ford Escort Cosworth, etc. Nowadays, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI is offered for wealthy fans of rally.
Together with Tommy Myakinen, Lancer Evolution for four consecutive years (from 96th to 99th) became the world rally champion. In 2000, this feat was decided to note by the release of the special batch of Evolution VI Tommi Makinen Edition RS-2, which differs from the usual Evolution VI only for design details and, by the way, costs exactly the same amount of 50 thousand dollars. Despite such a price, in the second half of the 99th, 31 cars were sold, and in the summer of this year about fifty Lancer Evolution was received on sale, which, probably, will also not be dusty in the warehouse.
So, what briefly is a four -time champion of the world (meaning, of course, not the champion itself, but a car of his name)? Between Evolution VI and the usual Lancer for 12 thousand dollars. Surprisingly much in common, at least by body and suspension. Externally Evolution is distinguished by the front wings, hood (aluminum), lower body circuits (bumpers, thresholds, backbone of the rear wheel niches) and, of course, a floor of the posterior anti -wing (with an adjustable slope of the upper part). Of the additional strengthening of the body, only two crossbars connecting the spar in the area of \u200b\u200bthe front and rear bumper are known. The circuit schemes of suspensions have also been preserved, of course, with a lot of changes in detail and geometry. All this can be considered a compliment to the usual Lancer, which has become a good basis for creating a real sports car. Naturally, a 2-liter turbocharger motor (280 hp), an all-wheel drive transmission with an interase differential and a stabilization of the course stability, as well as the brake mechanisms of Brembo, have already gone far from a large-scale model. In addition, Evolution VI, before becoming a participant in the World Cup, is subjected to many serious alterations, but still the basic Lancer genes remain.
Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution VI
+ 
1. Really
sports
controllability
2. Impressive
acceleration dynamics
3. Lack
direct analogues
- 
1. Low
comfortable
pendants
 
 
Does Evolution VI justify its fifty thousand dollars? There are two more or less justified answers that are opposite in nature. The first and most common point of view is better to buy the middle hand of Mercedes or BMW (or Mitsubishi Pajero, or Honda S 2000, etc.), in other words, a good and prestigious car that has nothing to do with inexpensive mass products . Adherents of the opposite point of view believe that analogues that provide a close level of sports (especially the dynamics of acceleration and controllability) simply do not exist for that kind of money. In this test, we will try to understand the validity of this particular look at Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI.
Appearance, interior
It is usually not necessary to talk about the beauty of rally cars, especially if they are not created from scratch, but have much in common with the basic popular model. In this case, all changes in the appearance are primarily due to purely practical needs (aerodynamics, cooling, etc.), and aesthetics fades into the background. So Evolution is not called a handsome man. You can’t even compare it with a boxer who is handsome, despite the broken nose. The laconic contours of the base Lancer clearly contradict a massive front with air intakes and a bulky rear anti -wing. There is nothing to criticize here, it can only be noted that the one who knows at least a little about the rally, Evolution VI will make their due impression, and even among those who are unlikely to find those who consider this car a victim of indefatigable decoration for this, his appearance is too much related to profession of rally races.
Evolution VI interior design differs from simple Lancer, mainly with front seats (Recaro) and the steering wheel (MOMO). Otherwise, this is a good model of the average Japanese style of interior decoration: inexpressive, but comfortable, inexpensive, but high -quality. At the same time, frankly sports seats and the steering wheel do not violate the modest harmony of the interior, but as it were, they emphasize that everything necessary is replaced, and the luxury of the rest of the finish is not needed by a real athlete.
Planting behind the wheel is also Lancer, of course, not high, but not very low. The magnificent seat covers you and holds carefully, without bothering the stiffness of the grip anywhere. We could not check how convenient it is on a long journey, but at a short distance you simply do not notice it, so correctly the seat performs all the tasks assigned to it. And the rest of the ergonomics there are no serious complaints, at least people have medium height. Despite a small number of steering wheel adjustments and seats, which is convenient for the driver, the pose is easily achieved.
The capacity of the passenger salon is the same as Lancer’s, you don’t especially go a walk in the back seat, but still there is more spacious than most of the 2+2 compartment. In other words, if the crew is four or five tall men, then it will be crowded behind, but with a less extreme team of the team, the car can be considered 4-5-seater. The trunk can be called a capacious 420 liter in general. And although Evolution is, of course, not for cargo -passenger transportation, such capacity will not hurt.
Acceleration dynamics, brakes
To demonstrate the elite dynamics of acceleration, Evolution VI has everything you need: a small equipped mass (1280 kg), high power (280 hp at 6500 rpm), a large torque at low speeds (38 kg at 3000 rpm of 3000 rpm. min) and all -wheel drive transmission. And the theory is fully confirmed by practice. The time of acceleration to 100 km/h from the place (4.9 s), which is stated by the company, as a rule, even improves. And this means that in order to compete with Evolution VI, you will have to pay 3-5 times a large amount and purchase something like Ferrari. However, on the wet road and Ferrari, the advantages of all -wheel drive will lag are especially important with large specific power.
However, acceleration 0-100 km/h is far from all. With a large excessive pressure pressure (1 atm.) From the Evolution VI engine, we could expect lethargy in the low -speed zone and delays in the reaction of the car to press the accelerator pedal. These fears were practically not confirmed. The car confidently goes in 5th gear at 1,500 rpm, although further acceleration in this mode does not differ in effect. As for the turbine wiring, they are noticeable only with a sharp operation of the accelerator in the low -speed zone. The engine is elastic and convenient in real road operation, smoothly increases the return with growth in revolutions and provides a truly explosive nature of acceleration after 4000 rpm.
It should be noted that, unlike other cars with a transverse location of the power unit, the gear shift is very short and clear with the exact fixation of the inclusion of the transmission. The lack of inclusion requires increased efforts. But the clutch control of such a powerful car does not require much effort and special accuracy in releasing pedal addiction to work with clutch. We do not take the final judgment of the fuel consumption, but, according to our outlines, if you do not particularly break out of the flow, then in an average mode the city of the country, the car consumes about 12 l/100 km of 98th gasoline. The brake pedal initially discouraged in great stroke and slurred elasticity. But this strange drawback, which, perhaps, only refers to this particular car, did not prevent, however, instantly adapt to brake management. Four huge ventilated brake discs with sports brackets of BreMBO provide high energy intensity of the system and, accordingly, the effectiveness of its operation at high speeds and with frequent repeated braking.
Controllability
Without errors against the truth, the manageability and stability of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI can be described in the highest expressions. However, the reader is not interested in the beauty of the syllable, but a comparison, at least at the level better, with the most powerful competitors. But we are practically unable to do this, since it would be necessary to assemble a team from Porsche Turbo, Ferrari F360 and the like. Therefore, we limit ourselves to a dry presentation of facts. A winding road that imitates the mountain track, Evolution VI passes, sorry for the stamp, as in rails, without showing either excess or insufficient rotation, but only strictly following the given trajectory and demonstrating the minimum bodies of the body. Moreover, all this at a speed inaccessible to ordinary modern cars.
When the natural limit of adhesion to the road still occurs, the car does not go into demolition (front) and not in the skid (back), but in the drift with all four wheels. This happens quite smoothly, and it is enough to lose the gas to restore the trajectory.
The direct evolution VI is very stable, and only the combination of high speeds (about 200 km/h) and the irregularities of the road forces to pay attention to the correction of the steering wheel. The steering, by the way, with a very small gear ratio (2.4 turns from the stop to the stop) and, accordingly, with high sensitivity. This does not make the car nervous, but at speed it is impossible to allow itself a carelessly harsh control. In general, the control of the Evolution VI will give an active driver true pleasure, being no less, if not large, the dignity of this car than its also acceleration dynamics.
Smoothness, noise level
In the vast majority of sports cars, the smoothness of the move to one degree or another is sacrificed to controllability. In this case, this victim, one might say, is impressive and may even be unacceptable to many. If on a relatively even cobblestone the level of discomfort of the Evolution VI does not go beyond tolerant, then the irregularities with sharp edges are transmitted to the driver and passengers excessively truthfully and intelligibly. All lovers who purchase Evolution VI are not for sports competitions, we recommend that you first try out the car and develop their own attitude to its smoothness.
The uncompromising of the suspension is also manifested in increased noise from rolling wheels on rough roads. Aerodynamic noise does not particularly announce, but the sound of the engine with active acceleration can replace your favorite disk in the CD-chamber. The unobtrusive, soft, but confident voice of the motor is really perceived as musical accompaniment.
Results
So, you have 50 thousand dollars that you are ready to spend on a sports projectile. Most likely, this will not be the only car in the family, and you have at least one more for daily use. If this is not so and you are going to operate Evolution VI every day, then only the smoothness of the course, or rather its practical absence, can be the only obstacle to this. And even if you are going to go to Evolution only on weekends, first, nevertheless, specify the boundaries of your own patience. Maybe we are a little and condemn the colors, but the condition of our roads imposes special requirements on the suspension. In Germany, for example, the lack of smoothness of Lancer Evolution VI will not be so significant. Otherwise, the behavior of this car on the road causes sensations that can be ranked from deep satisfaction to complete orgasm. For 50 thousand, nothing of the kind simply exists! The remaining advantages and disadvantages of Evolution VI are faded into the background, this car is acquired for controllability and acceleration dynamics and rejected due to smoothness.
The secondary advantages include exclusivity, a rare capacity for a sports car, moderate fuel consumption. The disadvantages are clear kinship with the usual Lancer in external and internal design. The upcoming collectible value of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Makinen Edition RS-2 is controversial. On the one hand, the car, of course, is rare and thanks to the successes in the rally deserved. On the other hand, it does not differ in external attractiveness, which is important for the collection.
Roman Sergeev
Photo by Alexander Kobenko
 

Source: Cars