2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Vl 'Tommi Mäkinen Edition' UK-Specification Chassis #19

By 1997, rallying had captured the imagination of petrol-heads everywhere and Mitsubishi sold 6,000 Evolution IVs in the first three days of its launch! In quick succession, the Lancer Evolution VI arrived and in the latter-half of 1999, Mitsubishi unleashed a special edition to celebrate its favourite son’s four consecutive WRC drivers' titles from 1996-1999 - the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI 'Tommi Mäkinen Edition' (TME). The Evolution VI was already a technological tour de force, but the TME had a more responsive titanium turbocharger, uprated and lowered suspension ('tuned to give improved initial response on tarmac surfaces'), quicker steering, a different exhaust, a new ECU, beefed-up transfer case internals, a redesigned front bumper for even better cooling and authentic 17" WRC Enkei alloy wheels. Plus, there was a special interior featuring embossed Recaro seats, a MOMO steering wheel and red stitching. The performance upgrades saw the 0-60mph sprint obliterated in 4.4 seconds and a maximum top speed of 150mph. Power was rumoured to be over 300bhp, rather than the 276bhp 'agreement'.

Widely regarded as the finest Lancer to wear the Evolution badge and only 250 TMEs were officially imported into the UK, with 100 examples going to Australia and the rest sold domestically in the Japanese Market. Official figures show that of the UK's allocation, only 50 examples were in Passion Red, the signature colour for a TME. According to Mitsubishi, it was these Passion Red cars that automatically received the renowned racing decals, known as a 'Special Colour Package' (SCP), meaning these cars were factory-fitted with black door handles (so as to not break the line of the long profile decal). In the world of Mitsubishi aficionados, the consensus is that there were just 212 official factory SCP examples of the TME produced worldwide.

The car presented here then is very special indeed. Not only is it a genuine Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition (CP9A / SNGF2) SCP car (i.e.one of 212) in the signature colour of Passion Red, but it is also an official UK-market example. This means it was officially imported by Mitsubishi-affiliated Ralliart UK, hence it would have been professionally SVA'd and is supplied with UK service books, a calibrated speedometer, an unleaded-spec fuel restrictor, cold-climate battery and an alternator, plus it is individually numbered with a plaque in the cabin - and not just any number in this case, here it reads #019, making this car a very early-in-the-run UK-market TME - the cars within the first 50 examples are considered to have special designations amongst enthusiasts and collectors.

This very special car has covered just 39,000 miles supported by MOT and service records and has had just a handful of owners, the last, our vendor since 2012. It's only been lightly/discretely enhanced, benefitting from an engine tune by Evo specialist, Mark Shead, with a 'conservative' ECU upgrade, anti-lag, AP Racing 6-pot 362mm brake kit and a set of white Compomotive motorsports alloys.

Accompanied by a large history file, with many receipts, plus its original and complete book-pack, the car has just had a full cam-belt service and a full MOT as part of its recommissioning, since coming out of storage.