The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was launched by Ralliart, Mitsubishi's rally car division, for the 1993 season and the model evolved over the years into one of the most successful rally cars of its era.

By January 1999, the 'Lancer legend' was already well established with the fifth-generation, the outgoing Evo V, proving a worthy sibling and offering the same immense attitude, performance and tuning potential as its predecessors.

The succeeding Evo VI used the same four-door bodyshell, four-wheel drive chassis and 276 bhp from its turbocharged 2-litre, four cylinder power unit.

But now the Evolution was, at last, officially available in the UK, priced at £25,940 through Ralliart dealers in GSR trim and offered the supercar-slaying statistics of 0-60mph in less than five seconds and 155mph.

At its heart was the familiar 4G63 engine, now improved for durability and including new pistons with oil cooling channels, bigger oil cooler, and revised intercooler.

Likewise, the Lancer’s ba...