2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI TME Passion Red Genuine Sticker Pack

Tommi Mäkinen’s dominance extends past world rally pedigree. After winning four World Rally titles back-to-back in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999, he later went on to form an engineering firm to explore chassis development.

It saw Mäkinen return to WRC, however now as the development guru behind Toyota’s Gazoo Racing (GR) World Rally efforts. In fact, he was partly responsible for development of Toyota’s latest homologation road car – the GR Yaris – and key reason why it’s as good as the pundits are claiming.

Understanding Mäkinen’s calibre in the field of performance motoring helps set the scene for where it all began, just as 1999 World Rally reason was coming to an end.

In celebration of his four consecutive World Rally titles, Mitsubishi commissioned a final edition of its 1999 Lancer Evolution 6, dubbed the ‘Tommi Mäkinen’ edition, or ‘6.5’ colloquially amongst enthusiasts.

Offered in both GSR and RS trims, this example is a road-focussed GSR model that benefits from mod-cons like climate control air conditioning, power windows, and the brand’s signature Active Yaw Control (AYC) rear differential.

A technological feat not seen on other cars until years later, Mitsubishi’s AYC system demonstrated one of the world's first forms of active torque vectoring. It employs a clever computer with input from various yaw- and g-sensors, as well as hydraulics, to actuate power left-to-right from its rear differential.

The result is a driving experience unlike anything before, or after it, and one that rewards a driver with faith in the system. It halos the Mitsubishi Evolution experience with a unique aura, and also makes the car brutally fast regardless of terrain or conditions.

On top of mastering AYC calibration for the Tommi Mäkinen edition, the brand also fitted a titanium-wheeled turbo, to aid faster spool times. Of the global production number of just 4092 examples, only 880 were built in this example’s ‘SGNF2’ specifications – Mitsubishi speak for Passion Red, with World Rally decal kit.

The example features some modifications, including a Kakimoto R06A exhaust, Blitz Racing radiator, Defi Gauges, adjustable suspension, and iconic Rays Engineering TE37 wheels.

The vehicle is accident-free and original, however features minor UV damage to its original decals, some minor chips from road use, and small signs of oxidisation underneath, consummate with its age and use.

A technical tour-de-force, backed by motorsport heritage and factory-ordered in the brand’s iconic war paint makes this one both the ideal and collectible example.