Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition: The Rally Champion's Car

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition (commonly called "Evo VI TME") is a 1999 limited edition Evo VI built to celebrate Finnish driver Tommi Mäkinen's four consecutive World Rally Championship titles with Mitsubishi (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999). The TME is one of the most collectible Evo variants ever produced, and its combination of rally-derived modifications and limited production (just 2,500 built worldwide) has made it a cornerstone of rally Mitsubishi collecting.

The Evo VI Platform

The Evo VI was the last Evo built on the E39A/E43A platform before the CT9A chassis of the Evo VII. It used the 4G63T 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 producing 280 PS (gentleman's agreement), a 5-speed manual transmission, and the Evo's characteristic all-wheel-drive system with Active Yaw Control (AYC) — an electronically controlled rear differential that could vector torque between rear wheels for better turn-in.

The base Evo VI was a capable rally car already. The TME built on that foundation.

Tommi Mäkinen's Achievement

Between 1996 and 1999, Tommi Mäkinen (driving Evo IIIs, IVs, Vs, and VIs) won four consecutive WRC drivers' championships — the first driver to achieve this feat in the WRC era. His driving skill combined with Mitsubishi's Evo program made the Finnish manufacturer/driver combination one of the most successful in rally history.

Mäkinen's achievements:

• 1996 WRC Champion (Subaru Legacy RS and Lancer Evo III)
• 1997 WRC Champion (Lancer Evo IV and V)
• 1998 WRC Champion (Lancer Evo V)
• 1999 WRC Champion (Lancer Evo VI)

Four consecutive WRC titles in five years — a dominant run for any driver, and particularly impressive for the era's intense competition between Subaru, Toyota, Ford, and Lancia.

The TME Modifications

To celebrate Mäkinen's success, Mitsubishi built a limited edition of the Evo VI with specific modifications:

• Aerodynamics: Special front bumper with larger intakes and splitter, unique rear wing, revised side skirts
• Interior: Recaro SR-series bucket seats with TME badges
• Wheels: 17-inch Enkei wheels (versus the standard Evo VI's 16-inch wheels)
• Suspension: Mitsubishi Ralliart-developed suspension with slightly softer tuning (better for road driving)
• Brakes: Brembo 4-piston calipers (optional on standard Evo VI)
• Exterior badging: TME-specific decals and identification
• Interior badging: "Tommi Mäkinen Edition" lettering in the cabin

The engine was unchanged from the standard Evo VI GSR (4G63T, 280 PS).

Production Numbers

Total Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition production: exactly 2,500 units built at Mitsubishi's Okazaki plant in 1999. Production was limited for marketing exclusivity.

Of the 2,500:

• JDM cars: Most of the production
• UK/Euro cars: Smaller allocation (a few hundred)
• Rest of world: Very limited

No TMEs were officially sold in North America (where the first US-sold Evo was the Evo VIII in 2003).

The Evo VI vs TME Differences

For an enthusiast debating whether to buy a standard Evo VI versus a TME, the key differences are:

• TME: Special edition with TME badging, Recaro seats, slightly softer suspension (road-biased), unique aerodynamics, Brembos standard, 17-inch wheels
• Standard GSR: Same engine, stiffer suspension, standard seats, optional Brembos, 16-inch wheels

On paper, the standard GSR is sometimes considered a "purer" Evo VI because it has stiffer suspension tuning. In practice, the TME is the more collectible and more valuable variant due to its rarity and Mäkinen heritage.

Today's Market

The Evo VI TME has become one of the most collectible Japanese cars produced:

• Clean TME (JDM): $80,000-$150,000
• Mint low-mileage TME: $200,000-$350,000
• Concours-condition examples with documentation: $400,000+

A pristine 1999 TME with original paint and low miles sold at Bonhams in 2022 for approximately $385,000.

Legacy

The Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition is the celebration of WRC rally dominance made into a consumer product. It marks the peak of Mitsubishi's rally-focused development, the end of the pre-CT9A platform, and the commercial high point of Mäkinen's partnership with the Japanese manufacturer. Only 2,500 were ever built, and as rally enthusiasts retire older TMEs, clean examples become rarer.

For collectors, it's the most desirable Evo of the classic (pre-Evo VII) era. Its combination of historical significance, limited production, and direct WRC heritage makes it a cornerstone of any serious Mitsubishi collection.