Mitsubishi to Build 2500 Lancer Evolution Wagons

Motoring Channel Staff - 9/9/2005

Mitsubishi Motors announced that the 206kW Lancer Evolution Wagon will go on sale in limited numbers in Japan, marrying the awesome performance of the Lancer Evolution IX high-performance 4WD sedan with the utility-enhancing luggage compartment of the Lancer Wagon.

Unfortunately for fans of the Evo range, Mitsubishi has no plans to export the Evolution Wagon outside Japan at this stage.

Derived from the Lancer Evolution IX sedan launched in March 2005, the Lancer Evolution Wagon uses the body side panels and roof panel from the Lancer Wagon with reinforcements mainly focused on the rear end to create a lightweight and very stiff station wagon body.

The powertrain mates a 2.0-litre intercooled-turbocharged engine to an electronically controlled 4WD driveline to realise unparalleled vehicle dynamics for a station wagon.

In Japan the Lancer Evolution Wagon is offered in two grades: the GT uses a 6-speed manual transmission to deliver the ultimate in sporty driving pleasure while the GT-A makes us of a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Lancer Evolution Wagon is to be produced in a limited run of 2,500 (GT and GTA combined total), with production due to cease at the end of December this year.

The design melds together Lancer Evolution IX's aggressive front end styling and Lancer Wagon's squarish rear end, where rear blister fenders and a rear bumper that take their design cues from Evolution IX are used to give Evolution Wagon a low-and-wide look.

On the GTA, the front license plate has been moved to a central position to promote automatic transmission oil cooler performance, but on the GT, the license plate is located in the same position as on Evolution IX to promote cooling of the intercooler, while at the rear there's a faux air outlet lower garnish on the rear blister fenders to identify this is a very special Lancer wagon.

Measuring VDA 530-litres (5 occupants, luggage tonneau cover not deployed), the luggage compartment is slightly smaller than in Lancer Wagon.

The 60/40 split rear seatback, roll-up tonneau cover, 3-section luggage compartment underbox, four securing hooks and accessory power socket together yield a high-utility and easy-to-use luggage compartment.

The Lancer Evolution Wagon uses the same platform (engine compartment, front floor and rear floor) as Evolution IX and the body takes Lancer Wagon's side panels and roof panel and adds reinforcements at the A, B, C and D pillar joins to deal with the increased power and expected increase in lateral forces of gravity.

The addition of a reinforcement at the top of the rear shock absorber mounting and an extra 50 spot welds in the tailgate opening help realise a lightweight and very stiff body at a minimum weight.

Lancer Evolution Wagon uses the lightweight alloy engine bonnet and alloy front blister fenders from Lancer Evolution IX and the Lancer Wagon tailgate with oversize tailgate spoiler used on the Lancer Wagon Ralliart model. Also, there's a rear high-performance sway bar, available as a dealer option, that enhances the already levels of rear end stability, improving steering response and handling characteristics.

The GT grade uses the latest 4G63-type MIVEC intercooler-turbocharged engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission to generate flat and wide torque curve with excellent response at all engine speeds. Producing maximum output of 206kW @ 6500rpm 392Nm of torque @ 3000rpm, the engine gives Evolution Wagon performance that is unmatched in the station wagon category.

The GTA powertrain's power is retarded somewhat in order to avoid to placing too much stress on the 5-speed automatic gearbox, offering a similar torque output that Australian Evo IX sedans will have. It gets a smaller turbocharger, downgrading power to 200kW @ 6500rpm and torque is a maximum of 343Nm @ 3000rpm, delivering top ranking performance for an automatic model.

Lancer Evolution Wagon's full-time 4WD system uses Mitsubishi Motors Active Center Differential (ACD), which raises traction and handling to new levels of excellence, and a mechanical limited-slip rear differential that controls torque feed for superior traction and straight line stability over all surfaces. The 6-speed manual transmission GT grade uses a helical limited-slip front differential that takes the sport driving experience another step higher.

Mitsubishi has fitted the Lancer Evolution Wagon with the same inverted MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension as Evolution IX, while the monotube shock absorbers deliver superior damping response and handling performance and were developed jointly with Bilstein.

It also makes use of the same powerful Brembo high-performance brakes as Evolution IX, with 4-piston 17-inch ventilated discs at the front and 2-piston 16-inch ventilated discs at the rear. When these powerful Brembo stoppers are combined with Mitsubishi's Sport ABS, it gives the wagon enhanced steering control under hard braking and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) automatically regulating the front-to-rear braking force ratio to match vehicle load.

The Lancer Evolution Wagon rides on the same 17-inch Enkei alloy wheels as the Evolution IX but are finished in bright silver rather than dark grey. As with Evolution IX, the Evolution Wagon is also available with 17-inch BSS super-lightweight forged alloy wheels as a factory-fitted option, which helps to reduce unsprung weight. The wheels are shod with the same 235/45R17 93W tyres fitted to Evolution IX GT and designed to offer outstanding abrasion resistance and superior wet adhesion.