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the evolution theory Preface The introduction of the tenth Lancer Evolution is a big milestone. Not only for Mitsubishi Motors, but for everyone who loves high-performance cars that are both functional and beautiful. This special book is an ode to every aspect of the new Lancer Evolution. As Ryugo Nakao, Product Executive, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, says: ‘The dramatic leaps forward in the evolutionary process of the Lancer Evolution have been driven by the cutting-edge technology developed and honed through our participation in the motorsport arena, fed back into our production models. We invite you to experience for yourself the next step up the evolutionary ladder.’ 3 CHAPTER ONE Early living 6 A frank and colourful behind-the-scenes view of the actual design realization of the new Lancer Evolution. CHAPTER two Survival of the fittest 14 From 19th century Mitsubishi beginnings and successful rally history to nine successive generations of Lancer Evolutions. A flight through time. CHAPTER THREE The expression of emotion 24 An emotional, visual tribute to the new Lancer Evolution. Contents CHAPTER FOUR Science & study 36 Food for petrolheads. All the facts and figures, technical specifications and elements that make a perfect driver’s car. CHAPTER FIVE Natural selection 48 Portraits of Jackie Chan and other passionate people with big Evo-hearts. CHAPTER SIX Power of movement 54 The new Lancer Evolution is put to the test in the beautiful and rugged Black Mountain area of Wales. CHAPTER SEVEN Evolutionary psychology 66 The innovative interior of the Lancer Evolution proves that function and beauty can go hand in hand. CHAPTER EIGHT Reviews 72 What do international automotive journalists think of the Lancer Evolution? CHAPTER NINE Varieties of species 74 Trim levels, technical specifications, equipment, colours, dimensions, accessories… Here you’ll find it all. Index 86 4 5 CHAPTER ONE Early living With each new model created by Mitsubishi Motors, every millimetre presents tough choices for its designers as they strive to balance form and function while remaining true to the car and company’s heritage. Despite the many obstacles that had to be faced, Mitsubishi’s passionate design team came through gloriously. And so the tenth Lancer Evolution was born. This is its inside story. 6 Matsuhara led the design development of the Lancer Evolution (as he had for the Lancer). He works at MRDE (Mitsubishi Research & Development Europe) and talks full of passion about Mitsubishi’s latest creation: “The new Lancer Evolution is now both a reality and our Norihiko Yoshimine (Designer Hiroaki Matsunobu (Expert project Norikazu Nakao (Clay modeller Tsuyoshi Imaizumi (Digital exterior, MMC). manager, MMC). exterior, MMC). modeller exterior, MMC). company’s flagship. During the years I was in charge of it, we stayed loyal to the following three aims: First we had to improve function- ality, so we pushed back the boundaries in all areas, lengthening the wheelbase for greater stability, lowering the centre of gravity and widening the track. In the meantime we also reduced the front and rear overhangs to make the car more manoeuvrable both at speed and in town. The second aim was to create an opti- mal shape while taking the Lancer Evolution’s aerodynamics to a new level. For the exterior, in particular, our engineers completed an These very first design proposals by exterior designer Norihiko Yoshimine ultimately exhaustive wind tunnel test programme. The led to the new Lancer Evolution. third aim was to give the car a design that appeals to the customer, the toughest task of all for any designer. But we believe there can be real beauty in a shape designed to be functional and if that design is executed with real skill and emotion, it will possess the 34,5645609840 : 89676,469850469 power to ignite passion in those that see it. B x A Now that development is finished, we the designers are confident that the Lancer Evolution is a fitting flagship for Mitsubishi. Please go and see it in real-life. Then feel it, sense it. You will not be disappointed.” Masaki Matsuhara, General Manager of Design at MRDE, Germany. 3563 x 56,8990 8 9 The exterior styling of Two design proposals the Lancer (back) and the Lancer Evolution The best way to underline Matsuhara’s words (front) took place at almost the same time. is to explore two interesting phases in the Lancer Evolution’s development and listen to the designers closest to the project. The story begins with the first ideas that were mere 6495,06045 x 9458,23534 sketches but which led ultimately to the development of two design proposals in 2004. The Decision Hiroaki Matsunobu, expert project manager for Designer Norihiko Yoshimine and clay-model- Lancer/Lancer Evolution, explains: “As with ler Norikazu Nakao were in the the wind tunnel the Lancer, the initial design was based on a day after day, refining Yoshimine’s model in MRDE proposal. Matsuhara was stationed 23,685 : 453,8978596 collaboration with engineers. Yoshimine: “The with MRDE and took the proposal with him rally inspired blister fender’s purpose was to back to Japan, so we started the development achieve functional beauty but it proved difficult of the Lancer Evolution. Then two proposals to scale down. In the wind tunnel with the 40% were developed at Okazaki, Mitsubishi’s R&D model, we pursued pure functionality so had centre in Japan.” In Japan the exterior de- no time for design refinement.” signer Norihiko Yoshimine was responsible The time had come to decide which of the two for one of the two proposals and duly made a proposals for the 40% model to choose. The 40% scale model. Yoshimine: “The basic form decision came when Yoshimine received a call was unchanged, but the front fender was from Matsuhara himself: “Your proposal has different. My proposal was based on WRC been selected. Do your best”. rally cars that adopt blister fenders for aero- dynamic reasons and our goal became to Carving the blister fender was one of the biggest obstacles to be overcome. Yoshimine, Nakao and the others turned to digital exterior modeller, Tsuyoshi Imaizumi, for a final translation of all the hard facts to digital The 1/1 model implement this feature into a passenger car. Clay modeller Norikazu Nakao doing his magic. data and vice versa. The next stage was to make a 1/1 model of I had the idea at the WRC ‘Rally of Japan’ Yoshimine’s proposal made of special clay. where I heard people saying how the func- Yoshimine: “In two weeks in the wind tunnel tional beauty of such extreme shapes was we made sure everything would work as it really cool. I thought we could apply this should while Norikazu Nakao shaped the clay thinking to a road car.” model according to the aerodynamic input. It was the cold season, so his hands were numb all the time. Nonetheless we managed it.” 10 11 Genuinely functional Yoshimine: “Door handles! To avoid these, the The team now started to make a prototype rear fender had to be front sloping. The ideal with a glass fibre body. Yoshimine: “It was aerodynamic shape seemed impossible to impossible to open an air duct in the bonnet of create, because it would cover the recess for the clay model so Tsuyoshi Imaizumi from the placing one’s hand on the door handle. We digital group scanned the clay model. From tried all types of data—changing from concave this data came the FRP (Fibre Reinforced to convex, or a curve that would eliminate the Plastic) body. Usually we don’t make a glass blister in the rear. Converting the CAD data to fibre prototype at this stage but the Lancer the clay model proved almost impossible, but Evolution was different.” Matsunobu adds that finally we managed. The blister’s bulge is now his team wanted to ensure at this point that smoothly fused with the door.” the design was genuinely functional. All the lines, ducts and outlets should have a func- Beauty tion - no ornaments would be allowed. The With this important element conquered, team tested the design from every angle Yoshimine, Nakao and the others turned to through which airflow could pass. Yoshimine: digital exterior-modeller, Tsuyoshi Imaizumi, “Even the outlet behind the front wheels is not for a final translation of all the hard facts to simply for show but to let engine heat escape. digital data and vice versa. The final parts like We made a shape in front of the hole so we the diffuser, the concave and convex surfaces could improve its efficiency and even con- and the intake and outlets in the bonnet, quered the aerodynamic disadvantage of the though complicated, were all gradually inverted slant nose. We were not going to be finished. In line with the ideas of Matsuhara, beaten by a slant nose.” the Lancer Evolution had to be more beautiful than ever and achieve this beauty through Struggle functional shapes. Imaizumi: “I think, Now the toughest part of Yoshimine’s design together, we got it right, even down to the needed tackling: the construction of the fend- smallest detail.” ers that would provide both superior aerody- namics and a distinguished look. This turned out to be a mighty challenge. The ridge of the front fender above the front wheels goes fluently in a horizontal direction, but at the rear There it is. The metal body work for the actual Lancer Evolution. a small but unavoidable problem occurred. An end and a beginning. 12 CHAPTER TWO Survival of the fittest The new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution didn’t just appear out of nowhere.

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