Controversy Maker - 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V WRC

The Evo V’s development started in 1997, year in which the FIA approved a new homologation for cars that were going to be used in the World Rally Championship. Those new regulations stated that the new WRCs had to comply with the same regulations as Group A cars, and so Mitsubishi redesigned the Evo IV with Group A homologations in mind and unveiled the new Evolution model to the world in January of 1998.

Said modifications were a revised chassis with tarmac roads in mind, though both Mitsubishi and RalliArt made some parts able to be replaced with others in a small timespan, to allow for a faster setup when the surface changed. Other changes included a width increase of almost 4cm (3,5cm at the rear), both suspension attachment points were relocated further inside to allow for a higher suspension travel, though this was a problem, with only 160mm of travel all around on tarmac spec. Wheels and rims were changed from ET45s to ET38s, and rims saw in increase in size from 16” to 17”, in order to have space for the bigger Brembo brakes that had to be fitted, with those brakes having an increase in the master cylinder diameter of 0,3mm. Also, to reduce weight some body panels were made out of aluminum, such as the hood and the spoiler.

The internals were reinforced in order to withstand the increase in power output, the cam stroke was raised and new, lighter pistons were put together with new injectors, replacing the old 510cc ones for better 560cc ones. The turbo was also modified, giving an increase in torque from 260lb-ft to 274lb-ft, with power output remaining ‘untouched’ at 276bhp, because of the Gentleman’s Agreement in Japan, which stated that the official power output of a car had to be no bigger than 276bhp, though the Evo V produced 281bhp thanks to the aforementioned turbo upgrades. A new ECU with double the proccessing capacity and a massive new intercooler was placed just below the front bumper.

Transmission remained untouched mechanically talking, but the gear ratios for 3rd, 4th and 5th gears were shortened, in order to get a better acceleration, sacrificing top speed, a top speed that was of 180kmh (111mph). A self locking mechanical diff was installed up front, giving this generation two self locking differentials (Front/Rear), an advancement no previous Evolution had. And finally, the mounting points for the rear diff were taken further apart, to prevent damages caused by the additional increase in torque. Power splitting was an even 50%/50% between front and rear, with a single dry plate power assisted clutch helping to swap the cogs.

The “Controversy Maker” title was given due to an inconvenient that took place in the Australian Rally, in which Mäkinen allegedly jumped the start. It was later found out that the stopwatch and the lights were not synced, and so the penalty given to Tommi had to be taken away. Not everything went so good for RalliArt, because Carlos Sainz (Mäkinen’s teammate) was very affected by this situation, and then he sparkled up a ‘conspiracy’ between the organizers of the rally and Mitsubishi, this ‘conspiration’ has not been resolved.

Until then, Sir GT-R, out.