Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI - Best of the Breed
Janurary 1999 came Evo VI. In this generation the improvement concentrated on aerodynamics as a response to the changes made to WRC regulations. In particular, the rear wing became bi-plane. Engine cooling was also enhanced, making the same power and torque more durable. RS model introduced the world's first titanium turbine to reduce turbo lag. Besides, the chassis got extra spot welds to increase rigidity while the suspension got some detailed modifications. The Evo VI was probably no faster than its predecessor, but it was undoubtedly more competitive in rally stages. It brought Makinen the fourth consecutive WRC driver's title, also the last time for the Mitsubishi rally team. Since the championship shifted from Group A production cars to more specialized WRC-spec machines, the Lancer Evolution series had lost its advantage.
While all previous Evos were bounded in Japan, a small batch of Evo VI was officially exported to the UK. When Autocar road tested it in 1999, it recorded some very exciting performance figures: 0-60 in 4.4 sec and 0-100 in 11.2 sec. It praised the car for not only lightning speed but also first-rate braking, immense traction and grip and eye-widening handling. It described the car "feels more like a fighter aircraft than it does a humble automobile in the way it slices into bends, and then sucks itself to the floor, seeming to defy the laws of physics as it goes". The only complaints were the stiff low-speed ride and a steering that was not as "feelsome" as a focused driver's car should. As for conclusion, the magazine said "This is a car which can swallow four adults and their luggage as effectively as any Ford Mondeo, yet one which can level with all but the fastest Ferraris in a straight line. A car that's as refined as a Nissan Primera on the motorway yet one that can out-corner and out-brake any product currently made by Lotus. Yet it's also a car that costs no more than a well specified, non M-badged BMW 3-series." As the Evo VI was lighter and actually faster than the subsequent Evos, it was widely regarded as the best of the breed.