The Evo is still a very competitive platform for racing.
Although the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has been retired for many years, Schnellmann Racing’s Evo VIII racer on steep hills shows that these older machines still have plenty of speed. The massive aerodynamic components and the flames coming out of the passenger side will grab your attention if not.
Schnellmann’s Evo has more than 592 horsepower (441 Kilowatts) as well as 516 pound-feet (701 Newton-meters). The all-wheel drive system is still in place and it can reach speeds of 62 mph (100 km/h) in just three seconds. A massive front splitter was also added by the team to attach to larger front fenders. Similar modifications are made to the rear, where a large wing rises high above the vehicle and a prominent diffuser helps the vehicle stick to the road.
This Evo isn’t crazy despite its huge power output. Although the anti-lag system sounds loud before the car starts, once the car is on the track, the engine sound is quite quiet for a race car. When the driver downshifts, the powertrain is clearly visible in corners. A jet of flame from the passenger’s door indicates that the engine is working. It’s quite a sight.
It’s a very tight course so Schnellmann doesn’t have much time to open the Evo. However, the curves offer plenty of opportunities for aggressive aerodynamics to do their job.
A new Lancer Evolution is unlikely, but the Lancer could make a comeback sharing a platform as Renault and Nissan vehicles. According to reports, the new model will be more in line with current trends and look more like a crossover than the sedan-styled models of the past.