Mitsubishi · CP9A
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI
Refined specifically to help Tommi Mäkinen chase World Rally Championship titles, the Evo VI added improved cooling, a stronger drivetrain, and a limited Tommi Mäkinen Edition that remains one of the most desirable Evos ever built.
Spec Sheet
- Generation / Chassis Code
- CP9A
- Years Produced
- 1999–2001
- Manufacturer
- Mitsubishi
- Country
- Japan
- Body Style
- 4-door sedan
- Engine
- 2.0L turbo inline-4 (4G63T)
- Horsepower
- 276 hp (JDM rating)
- Torque
- 275 lb-ft
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Weight
- ~2,900 lbs
- 0–60 mph
- ~4.4 seconds
History
Named in tribute to Mitsubishi's four-time WRC champion, the Evo VI's engineering improvements over the Evo V focused on cooling and durability under sustained rally abuse, and the special Tommi Mäkinen Edition added unique aero and suspension tuning that enthusiasts prize to this day.
Why It Became Famous
Tommi Mäkinen's WRC championship success directly inspired the special edition bearing his name, making the Evo VI TME one of the most historically significant and sought-after Evo variants ever produced.
Strengths
- Improved cooling and drivetrain durability over the Evo V
- Tommi Mäkinen Edition adds unique suspension and aero developed from real WRC feedback
- Same proven 4G63T engine with an enormous tuning ceiling
- Genuine motorsport pedigree tied directly to a WRC championship-winning driver
Weaknesses
- Values for genuine Tommi Mäkinen Editions have risen sharply given their rarity
- Never sold outside Japan, requiring import for most global buyers
- Same aging turbo and vacuum system concerns as other 4G63T Evos
- Standard (non-TME) trims are less collectible than the special edition
Common Problems
- 4G63T turbo and head gasket wear, especially on tuned examples
- AWD system wear if maintenance is neglected
- Rust in typical late-90s/early-2000s Japanese sedan problem areas
- Verifying genuine Tommi Mäkinen Edition equipment versus cosmetic clones
Modification Potential
Excellent — shares the well-proven 4G63T tuning path with the rest of the Evo lineage, reliably supporting significant power increases with the right supporting modifications.
Buying Guide
Verify genuine Tommi Mäkinen Edition documentation if buying that variant since it commands a significant premium, and check 4G63T turbo and head gasket condition regardless of trim.
Enthusiast Popularity Today
Extremely popular among Evo collectors, with the Tommi Mäkinen Edition regarded as one of the most desirable Evo variants of the entire nameplate's history.
Fun Facts
- The Tommi Mäkinen Edition was named after Mitsubishi's four-time consecutive WRC Drivers' Champion
- It featured a unique front bumper with improved cooling, specifically requested based on Mäkinen's rally car feedback
- The TME also included a quicker-ratio steering rack and a numbered dashboard plaque for each example built
More from Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution I
1992–1994 · 244 hp · AWD
The original Lancer Evolution took an ordinary compact sedan and stuffed in a serious turbocharged AWD rally weapon, kicking off a nameplate that would spend the next two decades trading blows with Subaru's WRX STI for World Rally Championship glory.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III
1995–1996 · 266–270 hp · AWD
The Evo III sharpened the formula with genuine aerodynamic addenda (a larger front bumper intake and rear wing) developed from Mitsubishi's rally program, and a revised 4G63T that pushed power notably higher than the original Evo I/II.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
1998 · 276 hp · AWD
Wider, more aggressive, and genuinely track-focused, the Evo V introduced a wider track and Mitsubishi's Active Yaw Control (AYC) rear differential, a genuine torque-vectoring system that dramatically sharpened the car's cornering ability.