Test Drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X since 2008 Sedan
Top of evolution
The first Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was created in 1992 - to participate in the Rally World Championships. The evolution of the car was reflected in the names of modifications - Evolution II (1993), Evolution III (1995), Evolution IV (1996), Evolution V (1998). This year - Evolution VI. In late January, the car began to enter Mitsubishi dealer salons, first in Japan, and then abroad. Rural car - in the salons of dealers? Lancer Evolution (for brevity it is sometimes called Lancer EVO), perhaps, one of the best rally cars in the world. Three consecutive championship titles among brands are spoken by eloquently, as well as at the same time - among the drivers (conquered by Finn Tommy Mykinane). Pretty modest outward, similar to the serial lancer, just decorated with advertising stickers, this car easily crushed his eminent rivals - Subaru, Toyota and Ford, prepared in accordance with the requirements of FIA to the WRC category cars (World Rally Car). But he is not from this group.
Now in the world of splashing, the WRC category cars are set. These are machines built on the basis of serial model rows with an annual release of at least 25,000 copies. The expression on the basis is rather vague. In the Category WRC cars, almost any changes in the design are allowed, except for the use of someone else's engine (there should be at least a block of cylinders from the motor of its own manufacture) and transfer of the power unit. The rest is at the discretion of the developers. You can make a drive for all wheels, new suspension and brakes - in a word, complete freedom of creativity. The main thing is that ologo does not need to repeat all changes in a large number of cars: it is enough to build one - and you can put it on competitions. At the same time, it turns out a real racing model, but it is available to a limited number of drivers, mainly - drivers of factory teams.
The creators of the Lancer EVO hand are associated much more - the car is produced and prepared for races according to the technical requirements of the Group A, which are much less liberal than those that are presented to world rally cars. In addition, under the conditions of oligation, it is required to produce at least 2500 copies of the model per year. On the one hand, this greatly appreciates the project, on the other, it allows you to recoup the costs by selling road versions - full-fledged sports shells, according to the characteristics of those who do not have anything in common with the Lancer basic model. Anyone can buy such a car. It should be noted that before the appearance of Lancer EVO VI, sports versions were almost no exported and almost only Japanese buyers were available. This year the situation has changed, Mitsubishi Corporation is more active than the model for foreign markets. So I got to Russia - the company Rolf, the official dealer of the corporation, represented a car on the Khodynsky field.
EVO VI was prepared by Ralliart, which since 1984 specializes in machines with three diamonds in the emblem - Mitsubishi for car rally and off-road raids. Differences from the previous version of EVO V is mainly cosmetic. There are minor changes in the aerodynamics of the front and the engine compartment, shifted a seat for a number of license plate on the front bumper, which made it possible to increase the mouth to cool the turbocharger heat exchanger. The stylish two-story anti-controlled attack angle of attack is stronger than all the attack cap. Transferred something in mechanics.
Pendant levers (front - Macpherson, rear - multi-dimensional) are now made of forged aluminum, the rear of 15 mm increased the passage of the penny - to improve the clutch of the wheels with an expensive in turns.
The dual-liter 16-valve 4G63 engine with turbocharging and intermediate cooling of the compressed turbine air received lightweight forged pistons and a new turbocharger with a rotor from titanium and aluminum, which has a smaller moment of inertia. As a result, the power characteristics have slightly improved. Here, in order to avoid confusion, a small explanation is necessary. On the hiatus, two cars were shown - modifications RS and RS-2. In the first named Ralline, the second - Road attached to cars. In fact, judging by the technical characteristics, both of these versions are road.
The real rally version of the Lancer EVO VI, indeed, has the designation RS and differs first of all the characteristics of the engine, which develops 300 hp Power (7000 rpm) and 490 nm of torque (3500 rpm). In addition, it uses a 6-speed Invecs box with sequental gear shift and two- or three-fold dry clutch.
The all-wheel drive transmission of the rally machine has three differentials in the form of multi-disc couplings with electronically hydraulic control (the inter-axis can be disconnected when the handle rotates). Brakes - AP Racing with water-cooled, in front of six, rear - four-piston. This car is in service with the factory team Mitsubishi Ralliart.
Road version - i.e. Permitted for everyday use on public roads (in most markets has a GSR designation) - somewhat simpler. Engine develops power 280 hp (6500 rpm.) And torque 373 nm (3000 rpm). The box is the usual mechanical, five-speed, and the clutch is one-piece. In the back bridge applied differential increased friction. All exactly in both both machines presented in Moscow.
(Interestingly, the passport capacity of both engines suspiciously coincide with the maximum established by FIA for rally machines (300 hp) and Japanese legislation - for road (280 hp). Power calibration can be more and more.)
Apparently, the RS and RS-2 versions presented in Moscow were called Ralle and Road in order to emphasize differences in their consumer qualities. The first is more spartan and on the equipment of the cabin, and on the configuration (for example, the wheels are stamped 15-inch, brakes with floating brackets). It is at its base that a charged combat vehicle is being built for the factory team, which is obtained permitted to be installed and overall in a group and additional equipment (sports suspension and already mentioned transmission and brakes). The second - cooler (finishing better, air conditioning, full electric car, wheel drives - cast 17-inch, brakes - Brembo, with hard brackets, in front of four-, rear-porp). There are differences and transmissions in gear ratios.
We met with the version of RS-2, making a trip on the highway of the Khodynsky rings on it (which seems to soon cease to be such - the cottage settlement is built on its territory, probably the most necessary city, and the entire domestic motor racing).
In the cabin - home comfort of the family Lancer: familiar Torpedo, not a sporty playful upholstery of seats providing good fixation. From sports accessories - only MOMO steering wheel with covered skin rim and tip shift lever with leather trim. But it was worth starting the engine ... The engine runs at idle with the characteristic sports, glandular, exhaust sound. Touch, no - start. The car as if waiting for the moment to rush off the place. It seemed that he anticipates the actions of the hand on the lever of the box and legs on the pedals. Switching occur fantastically quickly and clearly - it is better not ...
Straightforward ended too fast. In the turn, the car behaved immaculately, the subsequent snake showed filigree handling. Lancer EVO prescribed a trajectory with minimal rolls, clingly holding a wet asphalt without hints on wheel breakdowns. Again, the reversal, and the pure straight line allowed to reach the fourth gear - to enjoy all the hundred not only the dynamics of overclocking, but also the excellent operation of powerful brakes.
The meeting was a vehicle, and sorry. But the main thing is clear - the happy owners of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI can fully feel what a real rally car means, and the best today. We will not refuse to yourself in this pleasure and we - we hope we will be able to communicate with EVO more closely.
P.S. Lancer Evolution VI is offered to order from a warehouse in Finland at a price of about $ 30.000 (depends on the configuration). Customs and delivery - Extra.
P.P.S. Evolution ended. Lancer Evolution VI is the last machine group A, released by Mitsubishi. The corporation has already announced that since 2000, it goes to the WRC Categories. And this means that there will be no more road versions for civilian buyers.
Sergey Ivano
A source: Motor magazine
