In a joint effort to secure its fifth consecutive FIA World Rally Championship title with reigning World Champion Tommi Makinen, Mitsubishi Motors and Mitsubishi Ralliart Europe have spent the last three months developing an evolutionary challenger that will make its debut on the Rally Finland (17-20 August), the ninth round of the series.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution/Carisma GT has undergone a complete face-lift for Makinen’s home event, and both regular drivers have spent the last eight days testing and honing the settings on typical Finnish roads around the rally’s base in Jyvaskyla.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart T. Makinen during testing in Finland

Developments are primarily based around a weight-saving programme, the target to reduce the overall weight by 25-30 kg bringing the car as close as possible to the permitted 1,230 kg regulation. Significant improvements to the Lancer Evolution not only include completely new front suspension, but a move from a fabricated steel front cross-member to an all-new tubular construction to decrease weight as well as improve strength. New suspension links add to the all-round improved package.

The Lancer Evolution/Carisma GT also has new high-capacity front and centre differentials to improve traction, response, handling and stability. Technological advancements to the electronics include new software and hardware for the differential control units. No detail has been overlooked and even the weight of the wiring harness has been reduced. A redistribution of weight within the car, by moving components as low down between the wheels as possible, has also made significant improvements to the overall handling.

Cosmetically the car will also look different, the inclusion of a suitably adapted front bumper, based on the Tommi Makinen Special Edition, sharpening up the front end of the Lancer Evolution/Carisma GT.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart T. Makinen during testing in Finland

"I feel very confident after the test", enthused Tommi. "This is exactly what we needed for the rest of the events this year and I am quite sure we have something special. We have more possibilities; the diffs, which are much stronger, and reduction in weight make the car much better to drive and the handling was excellent. The previous inconsistencies we sometimes had with the diffs have disappeared, they are now very reliable and we did about 1,200 kilometres with no problems at all. The new electronics make a big difference as well; the control unit’s response time is much sharper and means the car reacts quicker and I can drive in a more committed manner".

"The test went very well because the car was always staying the same", added Freddy Loix. "In the past settings have changed, and maybe the diffs have been inconsistent or things have ’gone off’. But with the new components it was very good, the car is so much easier to drive and throughout the whole test I could easily stay on the same set-up. I am really looking forward to New Zealand now, which is a similar style of rally. It’s just a shame we won’t have the full new specification there because it is a big boost for me".