It wasn't until the launch of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI (more commonly referred to as the Evo VI GSR) that the Japanese firm entered the consciousness of a wider spectrum of rally enthusiasts.

The first Evo to be officially available in the UK, the Mitsubishi Evo VI was launched in January 1999.

From May 1999, UK cars were imported by Mitsubishi Motors and prepared by Ralliart UK (a new company offering closer ties with the UK importer that saw the opening of a small number of Ralliart dealers; even cars sold through Ralliart UK were still subject to Single Vehicle Approval (SVA), which was carried out on behalf of customers).

Most came as GSR-spec, but a cheaper RSX model was also launched to combat the draw of Subaru’s keenly-priced Impreza rival.

The ‘standard’ Evo VI GSR stole enthusiasts’ hearts from the get-go, its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine produced 276bhp (although it’s accepted that it was closer to 300bhp), and 275lbft.

Fed through all four wheels via a 5-spe...