WRC: Mitsubishi Lancer
In 2001 the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC made its debut in the World Rally Championship. Despite the glory days that Mitsubishi had previously experienced, this new model never quite fit into the world of rally racing.
It is interesting to know a little more about the short history and evolution of the WRC: Mitsubishi Lancer, what prevented its continuity in the market?
WRC: Mitsubishi Lancer, a history with few seasons
Mitsubishi Lancer WRC is a vehicle that made its debut in the 2001 World Rally Championship (WRC) season. With this model, Mitsubishi tried to recover its glory days, especially those of the 90s, when it got four titles from the hand of its star Tommi Mäkinen.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo is one of the most important and legendary vehicles in rally racing. Not surprisingly, it boosted Mitsubishi sales and news about this manufacturer like never before.
It was in the second half of the 90s when Mitsubishi obtained its greatest achievements from the hand of its biggest star: Tommi Mäkinen. However, the evolution to the new Mitsubishi Lancer WRC was not favorable for the Japanese brand. The motor world was not the only activity of Mitsubishi, nor still is.
WRC: Mitsubishi Lancer became an uncompetitive vehicle and therefore with little chance of success in competitions. In the year 2000, Mitsubishi makes the decision to abandon the development of cars belonging to Group A and begins to produce the first World Rally Car.
The seasons of the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC
This new model, based on the Lancer Evo VII, made its debut in the 2001 season. By then Mäkinen was leading the championship; however, the new car barely allowed him to score a few points taking him to the bottom of the competitor table.
As a consequence of these results, Mäkinen abandoned the brand; In this way, the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC starts off on the wrong foot in the world that until recently dominated.
For the 2002 season, the result obtained by the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC was not very different from the year of its debut. On this occasion, it had second-row drivers. However, the technical aspects of the car were the real problem. This season the best result obtained was fifth place.
In 2003, the Japanese brand decided not to participate in the competition. The real reason was to improve the car and make it truly competitive and thereby win the WRC in the 2004 season.
Substantial improvements to the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC
In this sense, some of the key aspects that were improved and completely changed were: the turbo that was built completely new, an engine that produced about 300 hp, the pistons were retouched, as well as the intake manifolds.
Additionally, a five-speed manual gearbox was mounted. Regarding the design, the engineers looked for it to favor mechanical refrigeration.
Despite all the improvements made by the Japanese brand in the new Mitsubishi Lancer WRC, the results were not as expected.
First of all, the pilots chosen were not the most suitable for running on land. On top of that, the car had transmission problems. As a consequence, Mitsubishi chose to drop out of the championship midway through the season.
The brand made a new attempt to power the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC in the 2005 season. This time the vehicle was substantially improved; in fact, the results proved it, since the brand obtained the third podium at the beginning of the season.
Although some of these improvements were important, and although the car’s performance was considerably better than in previous years, it did not get the much-coveted first place.
The end of the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC race
WRC: Mitsubishi Lancer achieved second place in Australia. Unfortunately, for the Japanese brand it was not enough, so they decided to cancel the program established for the following season. Thus ends the career of this controversial car that sought to restore glory to Mitsubishi.
Without a doubt, the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC was one of the most controversial cars of the Japanese brand. There are many reasons that led to its discontinuity in the rally competition market.
These reasons could be summarized in the evolution of an uncompetitive vehicle with underlying technical problems; and this together with the choice of ineffective pilots for competition on the ground.
