One-of-ten Mitsubishi Evo VI RSX for sale
Rarer than a GSR and wilder than a TME, the RSX is true Evo royalty
While Ralliart's Outlander PHEV may not be the electrified performance flagship purists want from Mitsubishi, it does at least show some ambition to build fast cars. Even if they take this slightly incongruous form, fast cars are to be commended. The Ralliart is more interesting than a regular Outlander, isn't it? Vaguely. Anyway, we did what any right-minded JDM fan would do when presented with a new Ralliart Mitsubishi - searched for old ones in the classifieds. And alongside what seems a very nice Colt Ralliart (remember those?), there's this - a Ralliart UK Lancer Evo VI RSX.
Now, it can be difficult to keep track of all the different Evo variants; even by the standards of mad Mitsubishis, however, the RSX was something special. As official UK Evo VI sales were set to begin in the late 1990s, Ralliart UK was set up as on outpost to assist in getting the car established over here. But they did a little more than just that: Ralliart UK was tasked with creating the ultimate Mitsubishi road car as a very limited edition flagship for the Evo range - the RSX was that car.
Based on the Evo VI RS (rather than the GSR the UK launch focused on) meant that the RSX went without the Active Yaw Control or even ABS; aluminium was used for the bonnet and front wings to save weight; the shell was stiffer, the steering quicker and interior even more basic. It was some base to build a go-faster performance car from. Conseqeuntly, Ralliart tinkered under the bonnet but didn't change too much, it seems. There would be 20 white cars, 10 silver ones, and dedicated UK customers would be offered the officially supplied Evo RS they'd been craving throughout the 1990s.
This is one of the 30 Evo RSXs. Built in 1999 and registered in 2000, it was first owned by a Hong Kong-based lawyer. Collectors now might be upset to see it was modified in that time, but when the upgrades included Evo VII wheels (because they help with airflow to the brakes), remote reservoir dampers and six-piston AP calipers, all fitted by Ralliart/Extreme, they won't have too much cause to grumble. The RS Evos were built primarily for competition use, so it's little surprise when they're mildly fettled.
Moreover, the RSX went from the Hong Kong lawyer to Jon Kirkham, founder of Ralliart UK and Co-ord Sport - probably not the sort of chap to buy just any old Evo. Or (hopefully) scrimp on its upkeep. It then went to another owner in 2017 and is now up for sale once more, now at Rally Replay in Chichester.
Fairly awesome, isn't it? The VI is the definitive Evo for many, and arguably it's never looked better than as a Satellite Silver Ralliart special edition. And Makinens are a bit obvious now, aren't they? Certainly they're expensive: the only one currently in the PH classifieds is £70k. This RSX, by comparison, is £45,000 - with 20,000 fewer miles. Not as immediately iconic perhaps, but potentially an even better exponent of makes an Evo so special. And not an Outlander, either...
The air filter is in quite an odd place in these - it's quite far back and given the battery is in the way, I wonder if that limits airflow into the engine.
My favourite generation of Evo for sure - although I'm not sure ditching AYC would be a good idea as that's one of the Evo's defining features.
The air filter is in quite an odd place in these - it's quite far back and given the battery is in the way, I wonder if that limits airflow into the engine.
My favourite generation of Evo for sure - although I'm not sure ditching AYC would be a good idea as that's one of the Evo's defining features.
When I owned a VI Tommi Mäkinen, i promised I would never own another one unless I had the spare £ to replace the brakes with APs all round as soon as I bought it as the front setup was so prone to warping. I had zero hassles with one set of discs (tarox 40 groove?!)but when they were replaced I had endless issues with crazy front brake judder from them on in.
I also swore I wouldn't have one with AYC again. As much as 90% of the time it was great, just occasionally it would do something that I didn't expect and it felt like it was going to throw you clean off the road. So a more predictable non AYC setup was also part of the tick list.
When I owned a VI Tommi Mäkinen, i promised I would never own another one unless I had the spare £ to replace the brakes with APs all round as soon as I bought it as the front setup was so prone to warping. I had zero hassles with one set of discs (tarox 40 groove?!)but when they were replaced I had endless issues with crazy front brake judder from them on in.
I also swore I wouldn't have one with AYC again. As much as 90% of the time it was great, just occasionally it would do something that I didn't expect and it felt like it was going to throw you clean off the road. So a more predictable non AYC setup was also part of the tick list.
What I do know is when my friend had an Evo 8 Mr340, he had AP front brakes and with ds3000 pads you could end up with insane brake judder. Steering wheel feeling like it was going to jump out of your hands and front end feeling like it was going to fall off the car. Going out and monstering the brakes several very big pushes, through the vibration, in a row cleared it up and you could then enjoy the rest of the lap on the nurburgring. So all in all I never got to a good solution. Maybe there was some common parts between your Galant and the Lancer.
I seem to recall people also thinking it was the small hub flange size (?!) and or the brakes needing to have two piece discs to transfer the heat to the alloy bell. But there was no clear solution that guaranteed no vibration.
What I do know is when my friend had an Evo 8 Mr340, he had AP front brakes and with ds3000 pads you could end up with insane brake judder. Steering wheel feeling like it was going to jump out of your hands and front end feeling like it was going to fall off the car. Going out and monstering the brakes several very big pushes, through the vibration, in a row cleared it up and you could then enjoy the rest of the lap on the nurburgring. So all in all I never got to a good solution. Maybe there was some common parts between your Galant and the Lancer.
I seem to recall people also thinking it was the small hub flange size (?!) and or the brakes needing to have two piece discs to transfer the heat to the alloy bell. But there was no clear solution that guaranteed no vibration.
After about 1,000 threads on the MLR this was the conclusion. Soft, crappy pads (don't mention EBC Greenstuff 
) and a car that begs to be buried deep into the apex are a recipe for brakes that need to handle heat.Even the standard brakes were good enough for fast road with aggressive pads e.g.Carbotech XP8, but obviously 6-pot APs will be better!
Reading this reminds me of those zero fighters/extreme variants mentioned every so often in Autocar magazine all those years ago.
not that long ago there was a silver one up for sale for 15k, i hate to think what they go for now ...
What I do know is when my friend had an Evo 8 Mr340, he had AP front brakes and with ds3000 pads you could end up with insane brake judder. Steering wheel feeling like it was going to jump out of your hands and front end feeling like it was going to fall off the car. Going out and monstering the brakes several very big pushes, through the vibration, in a row cleared it up and you could then enjoy the rest of the lap on the nurburgring. So all in all I never got to a good solution. Maybe there was some common parts between your Galant and the Lancer.
I seem to recall people also thinking it was the small hub flange size (?!) and or the brakes needing to have two piece discs to transfer the heat to the alloy bell. But there was no clear solution that guaranteed no vibration.
After about 1,000 threads on the MLR this was the conclusion. Soft, crappy pads (don't mention EBC Greenstuff ) and a car that begs to be buried deep into the apex are a recipe for brakes that need to handle heat.Even the standard brakes were good enough for fast road with aggressive pads e.g.Carbotech XP8, but obviously 6-pot APs will be better!
f
k my old boots, that’s ridiculous money, and I like these before anyone asks.Mind, it is at 4Star Classics, that well known place whose offerings seem to be pushed by PH with boring monotony …
The RS models are the ones to have if you want to use them on track but in the U.K. these are mega rare.
Next best model is the 9 Gt which is an RS with some extra comfort spec.
Brake upgrades from performance friction with huge 2 piece front disks solved the brake judder but so did expensive pads as per above carbotec xp8/10 etc
The RS2 did come in Silver or they could of started life as a GSR with RS parts swapped on to it.
Did the RSX come as standard with those ugly VII wheels. More air to the brakes - sounds like BS haha.
Looks like that car has proflex shocks too - were those standard on the RSX?
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