After these races, the Mitsubishi will need a clutch.

Tommi Makinen, a rallying legend, has won four World Rally Championships and managed the Toyota WRC team between its reintroduction and December 2020. He was also involved in the development of the new GR Yaris. CarWow obtained one to drag race the new hot hatch against a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII Tommi Makinen edition.

The Lancer Evo VI Tommi Makinen Edition is a refresher. Dec 1999: First public appearance To commemorate Makinen’s fourth consecutive WRC Drivers’ Championship. These cars were modified with a faster steering ratio, a revised suspension setup and a front tower bar.

A turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbo engine provided the power. The turbo was titanium-plated for a quicker response. The Japanese automakers reached a gentleman’s agreement and the output was 276 horsepower (206 Kilowatts) & 275 pound-feet (373 Newton meters). It is possible that the actual number was higher. It went from a 5-speed manual to an all wheel-drive system.

The body was slightly modified with a new front bumper and rally-inspired graphics. They also featured 17-inch wheels that were the same design as the WRC car. Recaro sport seats were available with red upholstery and the Tommi Makinen logo. Momo steering wheels with red stitching were used by drivers.

The GR Yaris, on the other hand, has a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that produces 257 hp (192 kW), and 266 lbft (360 Nm) respectively. A six-speed manual is available with all-wheel drive. Circuit Pack is an optional option that adds Torsen limited slip differentials to the front or rear, revises suspension tuning and forges 18-inch BBS wheels.

This video shows that manual driving requires finesse. The driver of the Evo VI is not familiar with clutch operation and struggled to launch the vehicle several times.

The Evo VI is a strong match for the GR Yaris. We expect that a more skilled driver would have driven the Mitsubishi to better results.