Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV EVOLUTION VGT

The previous two Vision Gran Turismo cars have been quite track oriented. With rear-wheel drive and grippy track tyres they serve a specific purpose in the virtual world of Gran Turismo 6. This one though, is slightly different.

We all are familiar with the rally heritage of Mitsubishi Motors. The Lancer Evolution models in the hands of Tommi Mäkinen and Richard Burns on dusty rally roads is a sight many remembers. As many other car manufacturers Mitsubishi has taken part in creating a Vision Gran Turismo concept car and it's not really what I expected.

Mitsubishi XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo.

This XR-PHEV Evolution is based on a real concept car Mitsubishi made for the 2013 Tokyo motor show. The real life concept is a high riding four-wheel drive desert thrasher as this in-game one - as you may have noticed - is nothing like that at all. The Vision Gran Turismo shares that striking front design of the 2013 concept, the four-wheel drive and the PHEV hybrid system. PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid EV System which does... I have no idea what it does, but I'm sure it's something an engineer would have wet dreams about. The engine management system delivers power and torque to any one tyre to give the best grip and eliminate under-/oversteer. This amazing grip machine joined with a lightweight body made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic does truly feel like a go-kart with massive flared wheel arches.

The Mitsubishi XR VGT at Fuji Speedway

How about the PHEV engine. I'm guessing it stays true to its heritage and has a 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo. I'm guessing because - strangely - Mitsubishi haven't told its capacity. It wields an impressive 502 horsepower which goes through an 8-speed gearbox. This - in an acceleration - makes you feel like a rally driver while going through the short gears.

That is the only thing that makes this feel like a rally car. The aerodynamic properties of this car are astounding. But that's my problem with it. It feels more like a World Touring Car than a World Rally Car.

This car clearly doesn't belong here with that low ride height.

Mitsubishi's finest moment the Evolution V, and it's futuristic cousin.

This incredible V-shaped wing ads a great amount of downforce to an already incredible car.

Lancias in the air

For teams to take part in the new Group A rallying they had to race a car that also had production versions made of it.
The FIA group A rally rules stated that at least 5000 road legal production cars had to be made and sold before a car was allowed to enter the WRC. The rally car had to be derived from the production version and then modified with rally suspension and greater power and torque figures. Later, the rules allowed Evolution models to be homologated in the WRC but only 500 Evolution models had to be created for sale by the manufacturer.

The road version of the Rally Lancia Delta is called Lancia Delta HF Integrale and it was introduced in 1987. It was based on the already existing 4WD Delta which was a good base for the eventual rally car. In the year 1991 Lancia introduced the Evoluzione and in 1993 the Evoluzione II. They had updated engines and interior. The group A rules required only 500 Evolution models to be produced but they were so popular that Lancia eventually ended up making over 12,000 examples (of Evoluzione I and II) until they seized production in 1994.

In it's natural habitat

The engine in the Lancia Delta Integrale was from 1987 to 1989 an 8 valve 2 litre turbo. Months before the 16 valve engine made a debut in WRC, it was fitted in the production car. Power increased from 185 hp to 200. Lancia kept developing the engine along the years. The top performance figure with the Evoluzione II ended up being 215 horsepower and 308 Nm of torque.

Photos from GT6 as usual, since I have never seen one in nature. This particular Delta is the Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione from 1991 in Monza red.

The aerodynamic properties for flying aren't really the best.

The difference between an Evoluzione and a standard  Delta are those holes in the bonnet.

The interior is a bit pixelated in GT6.

And here is the rally Delta Integrale Evo from 1992. Driver Didier Auriol.