The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a 5-passenger sports sedan that was introduced to the market in 1992. More commonly referred to as the "Evo," it was originally only available to consumers in Japan, but this four-wheel drive offering did eventually make it to buyers in Europe and the United Kingdom.

The Evolution has won a number of awards since it was originally introduced to the market. The kudos started in 2004 and 2005, when the Lancer was declared the Sports Car of the Year in France and Scotland. Compact Car Magazine declared the Evolution as its pick for the Sport Compact Car of the Year in 2004 and 2005. Motor Magazine chose the Mitsubishi Lancer as the Best Bang for Your Bucks in Australia. With its 2 liter, turbocharged engine, it was declared the Best Aggressive Sports Sedan by ConsumerSearch in 2006.

Rather than assigning model names to the Evolution, each of the 10 versions released is known by a Roman numeral, I-X. When Evolution I hit the market in 1992, it was for the purpose of competing in the World Rally Championship. Equipped with a 244 hp engine and all wheel drive, 5,000 units were sold from 1992-1993.

The next version of the Evolution had a more powerful engine, and by the time Evolution III was introduced in January of 1995, it had new rear corners and side skirts, a redesigned nose, and a new exhaust system. By the time the Lancer was updated in 1996, it was a very popular vehicle with buyers around the world. Not only were the engine and the transaxle repositioned to achieve a better balance of the weight of the vehicle, but large fog lights were installed on the front bumper. The tail lights were updated in this new, heavier version of the Evolution.

With each version of the Mitsubishi Lancer that hit the market, it was changed somewhat, and by the time version VII was introduced, it was outfitted with an automatic drive train. This version had an open engine compartment, which meant a tradeoff between less air resistance and less efficient cooling capabilities.

Fast forward to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, which was first presented to the world in 2005 at the 39th annual Tokyo Motor Show. This sedan is outfitted with 4-cylinder engine and a semi-automatic 6-speed transmission. Japanese buyers were the first to be able to actually get behind the wheel of this model in October of 2007, while consumers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom had to wait until 2008 to drive one off the lot.