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Photo of a Mitsubishi Lancer

Mitsubishi Lancer

51 years of Lancer, with the Evolution X FQ-440 MR taking the family to 440 hp.12

Researched October 26, 2026 from 31 sources

Also called

  • King of CarsAfrican nickname for the 1600 GSR, earned through repeated Safari Rally wins.3
  • LanTurboAffectionate name for the 1.8L turbo model introduced in October 1981.4
  • EvoCommon short form of Lancer Evolution.5
  • Evo 6.5Name for the 1999 Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition, honoring the driver behind four WRC drivers' titles.56

At a glance

0250500
53–440 hpPower
07.515
5.1–10.4 s0–60 mph
0125250
150–249 km/hTop speed
0300600
90–559 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
765–1,650 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.123613

Engine
2016: 2.0 L/148 hp, 2.4 L/168 hp; Evolution: 2.0 L turbo 4G63T/4B11T512
Layout
Front-engine; RWD, FWD or AWD, including 2016 ES/SEL AWC112
Gearbox
2016: 5-speed manual/CVT; Evolution: 5/6-speed manual or 6-speed TC-SST2512
Built at
EX: Nagoya Plant, Japan; Evolution X: Mizushima Plant, Japan12

The story

Created in 1973 to bridge the Minica and Galant, the Lancer wore badges from Dodge Colt to Japan's Galant Fortis. Its 1600 GSR won the Safari Rally on debut in 1974; Taiwan kept production going until 2024.14

1973: A70 launches below the Galant19731982: Fiore joins the rear-drive Lancer19821992: Evolution I borrows Galant VR-4 hardware19922004: 162 hp for the 2.4-liter Ralliart20042007: Evolution X adopts the aluminum 4B11T20072009: 5.5 seconds to 60 mph for Ralliart20092015: 303 hp for the numbered Final Edition20152017: Grand Lancer extends the line in Taiwan20172024: Taiwan closes a 51-year chapter2024 Lancer (A70) (A70): 1973–1979; wagon to 1985A70Lancer EX (EX/A170): 1979–1987EX/A170Lancer Fiore (1982): 1982–1983Lancer Fiore (1983): 1983–1988; wagon to 1992Lancer (1988 generation): 1988–1991; Australia and New Zealand to 1996Lancer (1991 generation): 1991–1995; wagon to 2003Lancer (1995 generation): 1995–2003; China to 2016Lancer (1995 generation)Lancer (ninth generation): 2007–2017 outside TaiwanGrand Lancer: 2017–2024, Taiwan 19801990200020102020
GenerationsMilestones13111516
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1973–1979; wagon to 1985Lancer (A70) (A70)
1979–1987Lancer EX (EX/A170)
1982–1983Lancer Fiore (1982)
1983–1988; wagon to 1992Lancer Fiore (1983)
1988–1991; Australia and New Zealand to 1996Lancer (1988 generation)
1991–1995; wagon to 2003Lancer (1991 generation)
1995–2003; China to 2016Lancer (1995 generation)
2007–2017 outside TaiwanLancer (ninth generation)
2017–2024, TaiwanGrand Lancer
1973A70 launches below the Galant
1982Fiore joins the rear-drive Lancer
1992Evolution I borrows Galant VR-4 hardware
2004162 hp for the 2.4-liter Ralliart
2007Evolution X adopts the aluminum 4B11T
20095.5 seconds to 60 mph for Ralliart
2015303 hp for the numbered Final Edition
2017Grand Lancer extends the line in Taiwan
2024Taiwan closes a 51-year chapter
  1. 1973

    A70 launches below the Galant

    February's newcomer filled the Minica–Galant gap; Mitsubishi Clean Air engines earned US low-pollution certification.14

  2. 1982

    Fiore joins the rear-drive Lancer

    The front-drive Fiore shared the Mirage sedan; its suffix distinguished it from rear-drive Lancers, still sold alongside it in Japan until 1987.1

  3. 1992

    Evolution I borrows Galant VR-4 hardware

    The Galant VR-4 supplied a turbo 2.0-liter and AWD for the Lancer chassis. Evolution I delivered 247 hp through a five-speed manual.5

  4. 2004

    162 hp for the 2.4-liter Ralliart

    The 2.4-liter MIVEC Ralliart made 162 hp versus the base 2.0's 120 hp; its five-speed manual used a short-throw shifter from the Evo parts bin.7

  5. 2007

    Evolution X adopts the aluminum 4B11T

    The new turbo 2.0-liter replaced the 4G63T. S-AWC added torque vectoring between the rear wheels.26

  6. 2009

    5.5 seconds to 60 mph for Ralliart

    A 237-hp turbo 2.0, AWD and six-speed TC-SST gave 5.5 seconds to 60 mph; another test ranked it last against WRX, Mazdaspeed3 and Cobalt SS.89

  7. 2015

    303 hp for the numbered Final Edition

    The US farewell brought a five-speed manual and Bilstein/Eibach suspension; 1,600 numbered cars started at $37,995.210

  8. 2017

    Grand Lancer extends the line in Taiwan

    Taiwan launched the redesigned Grand Lancer in April with Pininfarina's help; Lancer production ended elsewhere in August.111

  9. 2024

    Taiwan closes a 51-year chapter

    Grand Lancer production ended in Taiwan, closing the Lancer nameplate's 51-year run.111

Every generation

  • Lancer (A70)
    A701973–1979; wagon to 1985
  • Lancer EX
    EX/A1701979–1987
  • Lancer Fiore (1982)
    Lancer Fiore (1982)1982–1983
  • Lancer Fiore (1983)
    Lancer Fiore (1983)1983–1988; wagon to 1992
  • Lancer (1988 generation)
    Lancer (1988 generation)1988–1991; Australia and New Zealand to 1996
  • Lancer (1991 generation)
    Lancer (1991 generation)1991–1995; wagon to 2003
  • Lancer (1995 generation)
    Lancer (1995 generation)1995–2003; China to 2016
  • Lancer (ninth generation)
    Lancer (ninth generation)2007–2017 outside Taiwan
  • Grand Lancer
    Grand Lancer2017–2024, Taiwan

Power over the years

From 108 hp to 440 hp in 41 years.

0200400600 1980199020002010 hp 1973 · 108 hp · 1600GSR, twin carburetors1992 · 247 hp · Evolution I1994 · 256 hp · Evolution II1995 · 266 hp · Evolution III1996 · 276 hp · Evolution IV2003 · 271 hp · US Evolution VIII2004 · 162 hp · Ralliart 2.4 MIVEC2006 · 286 hp · 2006 Evolution IX2008 · 291 hp · North American Evolution X2009 · 237 hp · Ralliart 2.0 turbo AWD2014 · 440 hp · UK Evolution X FQ-440 MR2016 · 168 hp · 2.4-liter ES AWC / SEL AWC 440 hp UK Evolution X FQ-440 MR 108 hp 1600GSR, twin carburetors
245781214
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19731081600GSR, twin carburetors
1992247Evolution I
1994256Evolution II
1995266Evolution III
1996276Evolution IV
2003271US Evolution VIII
2004162Ralliart 2.4 MIVEC
20062862006 Evolution IX
2008291North American Evolution X
2009237Ralliart 2.0 turbo AWD
2014440UK Evolution X FQ-440 MR
20161682.4-liter ES AWC / SEL AWC

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    A70 sedans, wagon and Celeste

    1973–1985

  • Standard

    Lancer Fiore

  • Standard

    Lancer sedan and liftback (1988 generation)

    1988–1991

  • Standard

    Lancer and 1.8 turbo GSR (1991 generation)

    1991–1995

  • Standard

    Lancer sedan, export coupe and GSR (1995 generation)

    1995–2003

  • Standard

    Lancer DE / ES / GTS / AWC / Ralliart

  • Special

    Lancer Limited Edition

    2017

    148 hp

  • Performance

    Lancer EX / EX2000 Turbo

    1979–1987

  • Lancer Evolution

    Performance

    Lancer Evolution

    1992–2016

  • Limited

    Lancer Evolution Final Edition (US)

    2015

    303 hp

    1,600 built

  • Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen / Evolution X UK FQ specials

    Special

    Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen / Evolution X UK FQ specials

How to spot one

Look for

  • A70 sedans and wagons have pinched-waist Coke bottle sides.3
  • 1991-generation sedan: four-window side glass, compared with the Mirage's six-window layout.1
  • Turbo Ralliart keeps narrower fenders; the contemporary Evolution has conspicuous wide-body bulges.8
  • 2016 facelift: a smoother front fascia with LED running lights.12

Year by year

  1. November 1976

    Japanese sedans replace upright L-shaped taillights with wide rectangular lamps, gaining larger rubber bumpers and new grilles.3

  2. 1998 (Evolution V)

    Evolution V gains flared arches, an adjustable aluminum rear wing and 17-inch wheels to clear Brembo brakes.5

  3. 1999 (Evolution VI)

    Evolution VI shrinks the large bumper fog lights and moves them to the outer corners to improve airflow.5

  4. 2004

    Mainstream sedans adopt an Evolution-inspired front end and revised rear styling; a Sportback wagon joins the lineup.14

  5. 2005–2006 (Evolution)

    MR adds an aluminum roof and forged BBS wheels; IX brings two oval front-bumper openings to feed the intercooler.614

  6. 2016

    Smoother front fascia, new LED running/fog lights and redesigned 16- and 18-inch alloys; GT adds chrome beltline trim.12

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Mitsubishi Lancer
    Lancer
    Photo of a Mitsubishi Mirage
    Mitsubishi Mirage

    Mitsubishi Mirage

    For the 1991 Lancer generation, count the side windows: Lancer has a four-window greenhouse; Mirage has six.1

  • Photo of a Mitsubishi Lancer
    Lancer
    Photo of a Proton Persona / Wira
    Proton Persona / Wira

    Proton Persona / Wira

    UK sedans and hatchbacks could carry Proton Persona or Wira badges: these were Lancers sold under different names.18

Prices

Value today $2.2K–$2.8K24

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 20052010201520202025 Value today: $2,200–$2,775 2002 · $14,442 · US base, ES2002 · $16,442 · US base, LS2002 · $16,832 · US base, OZ Rally2015 · $37,995 · US MSRP, Evolution Final Edition 2002 · $14,442 · US base ES, 2002 model year 2025 · $8,625 · 1985 EX 1800 GSR Turbo, ~44k miles, BaT2025 · $29,250 · 2006 Evolution IX MR, modified, 102k miles, BaT2025 · $34,500 · 1998 Evolution V GSR, ~90k miles, BaT2026 · $43,500 · 1999 Evolution VI GSR, 78k km, Bring a Trailer2026 · $46,000 · 2015 Evolution Final Edition, 341 miles, BaT $46.0K BaT, 2026
21013242728293031
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2002Launch price$14,442US base ES, 2002 model year
2002Price when new$14,442US base, ES
2002Price when new$16,442US base, LS
2002Price when new$16,832US base, OZ Rally
2015Price when new$37,995US MSRP, Evolution Final Edition
2025Auction sale$8,6251985 EX 1800 GSR Turbo, ~44k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$29,2502006 Evolution IX MR, modified, 102k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$34,5001998 Evolution V GSR, ~90k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$43,5001999 Evolution VI GSR, 78k km, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$46,0002015 Evolution Final Edition, 341 miles, BaT
2026Value today$2,200–$2,775

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 11 stories from its legend
    • “Singh bought his own Safari winner”
    • “Four minutes behind the Quattros”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 31 sources
  1. Mitsubishi Lancer - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Mitsubishi Lancer (A70) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. Car History | History of Mitsubishi Motors | Company | MITSUBISHI MOTORS mitsubishi-motors.com
  5. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Mitsu Metamorphosis: The History of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution caranddriver.com
  7. Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart — Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  8. Tested: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart caranddriver.com
  9. A Time for Turbos: Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart roadandtrack.com
  10. Mitsubishi Bids Farewell to Lancer Evolution With Final-Edition Model | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) sema.org
  11. 三菱Lancer停產下線！車系51年歷史在台灣劃下句點 | 8891新車 c.8891.com.tw
  12. 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer Gets New Look, Drops Ralliart Turbo Model motortrend.com
  13. 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Program #2101 - MotorWeek motorweek.org
  14. 2002-06 Mitsubishi Lancer | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  15. 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS — Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  16. 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback review | MOTOR whichcar.com.au
  17. 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Adds Limited Edition Trim motortrend.com
  18. Mitsubishi Lancer Estate (1999 - 2001) used car review | RAC Drive rac.co.uk
  19. Mitsubishi Colt 1000 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Mitsubishi’s Lancer heritage shapes today’s award-winning lineup mitsubishi-motors.ca
  21. 1967-1977 | World Rally Chanmpionship | MOTOR SPORTS | brand | MITSUBISHI MOTORS mitsubishi-motors.com
  22. 1981-1987 | World Rally Chanmpionship | MOTOR SPORTS | brand | MITSUBISHI MOTORS mitsubishi-motors.com
  23. 2 Fast 2 Furious Movie Cars: How Fast Are They, Really? motortrend.com
  24. 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Price, Value, Depreciation & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  25. 1992 mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 1997 Saloon | Hagerty UK hagerty.co.uk
  26. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX buying guide | evo evo.co.uk
  27. 78k-Kilometer 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $43,500 on July 29, 2026 (Lot #254,862) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. No Reserve: 1985 Mitsubishi Lancer EX 1800 GSR Turbo 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,625 on October 24, 2025 (Lot #216,388) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. One-Owner, Modified 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $29,250 on May 22, 2025 (Lot #192,871) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V GSR for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $34,500 on April 28, 2025 (Lot #189,418) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. No Reserve: 341-Mile 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $46,000 on June 23, 2026 (Lot #249,185) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • mitsubishi-motors.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • roadandtrack.com
  • sema.org
  • c.8891.com.tw
  • motortrend.com
  • motorweek.org
  • consumerguide.com
  • whichcar.com.au
  • rac.co.uk
  • mitsubishi-motors.ca
  • kbb.com
  • hagerty.co.uk

Photo credits

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