Currently for sale in our showroom is this Evo VI TME. Being one of my all-time favourite Japanese performance cars, it feels like the perfect opportunity to explain why this car is so great…
It’s no secret that the best drivers’ cars are usually born from motorsport. In the current day, we see that in the likes of the GR Yaris, and it’s certainly true of the Evo VI TME. This is peak homologation special, built for one reason only: to win rally stages and WRC titles.
Awe-Inspiring Handling
Let’s start with its party piece. The level of grip, balance and control this car gives you is outrageous. Mitsubishi’s AYC (Active Yaw Control) uses sensors to distinguish the car’s movement and shift torque to the wheels that need it most. The ability to pivot this car is astonishing. You’re provided with that pull feeling from the torque distribution mid-corner and on exit. It certainly lives up to the phrase ‘handles like it’s on rails’.
Sure, some might say the introduction of AYC made later Evos more civilised, taking away some of the raw, bonkers energy of earlier generations. But the speed you can carry through corners is simply on another level, and that confidence makes it seriously addictive. What’s just as impressive is how the Evo VI TME handles bumps and rough roads. The rake, ride height, and suspension tuning are so well judged, the car feels glued to the surface even when you’re pushing on.
The Evo VI chassis features additional spot welds throughout, forged front knuckles, and lighter, stronger rear control and trailing arms. Mitsubishi also updated the rear dampers with a longer rebound stroke, ensuring the tyres stay in contact with the road when you’re really leaning on it. The result is incredible agility. Tight corners become a proper event, as you feel the car rotate around the apex with precision, all while you’re held firmly in place by a pair of (in my opinion) the coolest Recaro sports seats ever fitted to a JDM car.
The Purists' Choice
Purists will argue that the VI is the greatest variation in the Evo line-up, with a few key advancements over the Evo V. These include a larger intercooler hidden behind a revised front bumper, ditching the massive front fogs, and reinforced engine internals. The Evo V was the last version directly linked to motorsport. The legendary Subaru vs Mitsubishi rivalry at the time also played a huge part in cementing the VI’s status.
With only 2,500 TME models ever built, and even fewer finished in Canal Blue, this is a car that will only become more sought-after.
Legendary Looks
Outside, the Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition wears arguably the best styling of any Evo generation. The redesigned front bumper ditches the big fogs of the Evo V in favour of a larger intercooler aperture. At the rear, the lights integrated into the boot lid have been removed in favour of a simpler, cleaner design. Most importantly, that iconic two-tier wing completes the unmistakable rally silhouette. Seeing it in your rear-view mirror is a constant reminder of this car’s heritage.
This example sits on its factory Enkei wheels, freshly painted in black, which complements the moody, stealth-like presence that Canal Blue delivers. Speaking of Canal Blue, having had both a red and blue TME side by side, I have to say the blue does it for me... although the red is more iconic.
Usable Performance
At the heart of every Evo VI is the legendary 4G63 turbocharged engine, an engine so good it was used across the Evo lineage from I to IX. In the TME, Mitsubishi went a step further by fitting a titanium turbocharger for sharper throttle response. You get the best of both worlds. It loves to rev, yet there’s plenty of torque low down and in the mid-range, with minimal turbo lag.
This particular example produces 350bhp, a sweet spot of usable power. Most of it is split 50/50 between front and rear. From the factory, the car made 276bhp and weighed in under 1400kg. These figures may not stand out by modern standards, but if I had to choose between one of these and a modern AWD hot hatch, I know which keys I’d be grabbing.
This Evo also benefits from a Mongoose turbo pipe linked to a Russ Fellows exhaust system which emphasises a satisfying rumble which builds into a proper roar as the revs climb. It even delivers the perfect amount of overrun burble to keep things entertaining between shifts.
A Driver’s Interior
Inside the Tommi Mäkinen Edition, it’s a refreshingly simple, driver-focused environment. The positioning of the steering wheel, gear shifter, handbrake and pedals is spot on. Everything is designed for spirited driving, whether you’re Tommi Mäkinen himself or just pretending to be.
The interior is dark and purposeful, but the red stitching and Recaro seats pop nicely and stand out from afar. Our example features some subtle but effective upgrades too, including a Momo steering wheel retrimmed in Alcantara along with a matching Alcantara shift knob. It might sound minor, but it makes a hell of a difference, elevating the driving experience even further.
To Conclude...
It has the looks, performance and heritage you want when investing in a JDM car... If this article hasn't won you over then I strongly suggest heading to Torque GT for a viewing!
Check out the full listing here... 
