Mitsubishi unveiled its new Lancer Evolution WRC on Tuesday in Monaco. The
Lancer Evolution WRC marks a significant step for Mitsubishi, being its
first-ever purpose-built competition car complying with the FIA’s world rally
car regulations.
The car’s competition debut will be this coming weekend, when the Marlboro
Mitsubishi Ralliart team will contest the 2001 Rallye Sanremo, round 11 of the
FIA World Rally Championship. Four-times World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen, and
co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki, and team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets will
power the Lancer Evolution WRC over the asphalt stages of northern Italy on one
of the series’ classic events, which starts from the coastal resort of Sanremo
on Thursday evening.
Mitsubishi
decided to convert our cars from Group A to the World Rally Car regulations in
the vital second half of the season in response to the rising speed of the
competition. The WRC car will replace the Lancer Evolution Group A.
The fundamental development policy, which could not always be followed under
the previous Group A regulations, was to provide stability under high-speed
cornering and acceleration, and to maximise the tyre contact patch with the
ground. At the same time, the wheelbase has been lengthened and proven
components from the current Group A Lancer Evolution have been retained where
possible to enhance reliability.
Specifically the engine has been re-positioned to improve weight distribution
front to rear and wheel travel has been lengthened, thanks to larger front and
rear wheel arches. Cooling has been improved following a change in the
intercooler position.
