Praise indeed – and you could sample these mind-blowing dynamics for just £31,000 in 1999. That sum will still get you into a tuned Evo VI today, but these are best avoided. We suggest you aim for a standard, untarnished example in a bid to avoid any costly engine qualms.
The Evo VI wasn’t deemed totally perfect by our testers, though. Its steering was judged to be a little overactive and a lack of feel through the wheel meant it was good rather than class-leading. But the car still gained a resounding five-star rating.
The punchy 276bhp mill was a proper beast, as the performance figures at test: 0-62mph in 4.4sec, 0-100mph in 11.2sec and 150mph flat out. Throw in the unyielding traction from the four-wheel drive system and this was, and still is, a car that could brush aside a Ferrari 550 – even more reason to buy a used Evo VI then, when you consider a 550 costs almost twice as much second-hand.
Don’t assume the Evo sacrificed creature comforts in its bid to become a brilliant road car, though. It had climate control, electric windows and mirrors, and superb Recaro seats.
At the turn of the millennium, Mitsubishi excelled itself with the jaw-dropping Tommi Mäkinen Edition (TME), which celebrated the Finn’s fourth WRC title. Over the standard car it gained a new titanium turbocharger, a different exhaust, reworked front bumper and headlights and (of course) more scoops. A quicker steering rack, Tarmac-biased suspension tune and 17in Enkei wheels finished it off – and while the red paint and livery weren’t mandatory, you would, wouldn’t you?
Only 250 TMEs were imported into the UK, so a stickered-up car is rare. They’re dearer now, even more so if the mileage is low. But no car celebrates rallying quite like it.
Just like the GSR, the TME was a total triumph to drive, for its compact size, unwavering agility and superb performance. In fact, we called it the best of the breed. Twenty-five years on, the Evo VI is a true modern classic and one that is only set to rise in value.
The following driving sections have been taken from our original road test from 2001.
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