Test drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII 2000 - 2003 sedan

Named weapons

What is Mitsubishi Lancer? Quite peaceful, moderately convenient and moderately faceless Japanese, designed for comfortable movement. Beginning businessmen and, of course, moderately emancipated women look good in it. Lancer-UNIVERSAL 4x4 is already trying to play with muscles, hinting at off-road and sports qualities. But even an all -wheel drive is generally a common vehicle.
But Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution/›Mitsubishi Lancer Evolyushn is already a sports projectile on which the legendary Tommy Myakinen in 1996-1999. He became the world champion in rally. As a sign of the appreciation of the Finnish ACS, the company Mitsubishi has released a limited batch of cars Lancer Evolyushn VI called Tommy Myakinen Edishn. The modification of the RS 2 combat vehicle, designed for conventional operation, has become the hero of the short dough.
Looking at this, you won’t doubt the purpose of the car for a second - to convey to an ordinary consumer the essence of the sports car, to allow not only the indefatigable power of two hundred eighty horses, but also to feel the energy of hard rally pendants, the possibilities of perfection of all -wheel drive, to visit the world completely other sensations - in a word, join the elite of world motorsport.
Outwardly Evo VI - the embodiment of power and swiftness. Spectacular bumpers, no less impressive slots in them and on an aluminum hood, the rear adjustable spoiler of the most complex design - even with a cursory look, the car inspires respect. More attentive will note OZ wheel wheels, stylized for combat, with tires 225/45ZR17, BRAMMO brakes, rear stretching to increase the hardness of the body, under the hood - a titanium -aluminum turbocharger. And, of course, a muzzle of configured release with a caliber with a ship's gun.
Inside Evo VI looks much more restrained. Of course, the front seats with an embroidered inscription T. Makinen Edition will catch the eyes, the leather steering wheel and the handle of the gearbox lever, the bright red devices, which once again emphasize the capabilities of this car. But otherwise - the same, restraint -practical Mitsubishi Lancer. The usual plastics, ordinary pedals - without perforation, with simple rubber lining, comfortable heating and ventilation handles. In a word, no tuning and sports pomp. There is a very memorable, assertive appearance, there is a convenient workstation of the driver, and let the rest be familiar. A long pause interrupts the turn of the ignition key. The sounds and vibrations that have arisen leave no doubt - we are inside a real sports car. The juicy, bass sound of the exhaust seems to displace all superfluous from the cabin.
Remember the comparisons of Mitsubishi Lancer with a ladies' car? In Evo VI, they disappear instantly. A tight clutch pedal is clearly not for a fragile leg. A hard lever of gearboxes, requiring accurate, short and sharp effects. A very nervous steering wheel, which instantly tracks the driver’s actions literally. In general, the car immediately forces to abandon relaxed and uniform movements.
But the initial adaptation is finished, you can take a closer look at the character of the machine. I must admit that in Evo VI it is very difficult to separate the engine from the transmission, controllability - from the smoothness of the course and brakes. Everything is as if merged into a single organ to control speed. I pressed on the accelerator - and you can fully enjoy the irrevocability of acceleration, feel the explosive temperament of the engine, with one jerk of laying the speedometer to mark 250. But you, as a prepared driver, still be aware that this is the merit of carefully selected gear numbers that smooth out the splash From a turbocharger in the area of \u200b\u200b3000 rpm and, in addition, allowing to realize all the capabilities of the motor. After all, access to maximum speed is nothing but the operation of a speed limiter on the highest, fifth gear. And, of course, if there weren’t a juicy sound of the exhaust system - half of the emotions would simply be lost.
Having tried Lanser's speed capabilities, you catch yourself thinking that it is the process of acceleration, and then the ride becomes quite monotonous - the car is strict and obedient at any speed. Another thing is winding tracks. At first, all-wheel drive, excellent settings in sporting hard suspensions and good clutch properties of tires seem to laugh at you. All familiar turns you pass not only much faster, but also without a hint of sliding. Only the elastic-strict steering wheel and the chipper flying towards the chipper is forced to carefully choose the trajectory. Emotions are already over the edge, and the car is still flawless in responses to your actions. Finally, at the special asphalt site of the Bridgostone tire land, and Lancer smoothly floats out of turn. But he does it with such dignity that you only feel better the possibilities of the machine.
But do not try to let Mitsubishi go in a skid - especially since the RS 2 version is equipped with a branded contrastial AYS system? Obediently slipping sideways during the discharge of gas, Lancer conquers the simplicity and understandability of the responses - barely indicating the rotation, he immediately goes into sliding with four wheels. I must admit, having talked with all kinds of systems designed to protect the retreating driver, I was very afraid that Lancer would become too remote from the management process. Nothing like this! Evo VI will remain in any situation. Well, when you have bitten the subtleties of communication with a powerful sports car, it is not a sin to ride on a special highway. This is where this single organism demonstrates all its possibilities. The bundles of turns follow one after another, you are almost like Tommy Myakinen - with the invisible movements of the steering wheel and accelerator send the car to slip, enjoying its obedience, mutual understanding and, of course, speed. And the pendants no longer seem to be strict, vibrations are noticeable, and the turns are too cool.
 
Instead of the afterword
In the current, measured and practical world, such cars are very rare. Firstly, they are focused on trained drivers, and secondly, very expensive (in Moscow the described Lancer Evolyushn VI costs $ 49,995). Nevertheless, for lovers and connoisseurs of extreme driving, Evo VI is just a find.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Makinen Edition RS 2
General data: number of places - 5; Equipped mass - 1280 kg; maximum speed - 260* km/h; acceleration time from a place to 100 km/h - 4.9* s; fuel consumption in conditional suburban and city cycles - 8.0*; 16.0* l/100 km; fuel supply - 50 liters; Fuel - gasoline with an octane number not lower than 98. Dimensions, mm: length - 4350; width - 1770; height - 1415; base - 2510; The track in front/back - 1510/1505; Road clearance - 150; The turning radius is 5.5 m. The engine: in order, four -cylinder, 16 valves, DOHC, turbocharging with intermediate cooling; working volume - 1997 cm; cylinder diameter and piston stroke - 85.0x88.0 mm; compression degree - 8.8; Power - 206 kW/280 liters. With. at 6500 rpm; The maximum torque is 380 N.M at 3000 rpm. Transmission: Four wheels drive; gearbox - mechanical five -speed; Transporting numbers: I - 2.785; II - 1.950; III - 1.407; IV - 1.031; V - 0.761; h. X. - 3.416; The main program is 4.529. Suspension: front - such as McEferson, the back is multi -link. Brakes: ventilated disk, in front - 17, behind - 16. Steering control: rack with an amplifier. Tire size: 225/45ZR17.
* Data for the Lancer Evo VI car.
 
Sergey Voskresensky
Photo by Vladimir Knyazev
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"