Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Zero FighterVI

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero Fighter was the finest shipboard fighter plane during the first year of the Pacific War - a fine plane that took part in every Japanese navy operation, including Pearl Harbour. Paying homage to it seems like a very odd thing to do, even if the Lancer Evo Zero Fighter is also a very capable machine. The modifications to the standard Evo (Zeros are supposed to be based on RS but many later cars are based on the GSR, and are still genuine, so watch out for that) start with the chassis, which runs lower on stiffer springs and dampers. The anti-roll bars are thicker, the mounts firmer and there's a shiny strut brace to increase stiffness. Those wheels are an inch bigger in diameter than the standard Evo VI's, and shod with 225/40ZR18 Bridgestone S-02 tires.The engine also receives some nice goodies: a smarter ECU has been fitted, along with aluminium intercooler piping, a new induction system complete with mushroom-shaped air filter, a stainless Sports exhaust system and catalyst, plus lighter titanium turbo internals for improved response. The result is 340 horsepower, identical to the Evo eXtreme, which is also built by Ralliart UK and based on the Zero Fighter (confused yet?).On slick roads, Zero becomes a handful. It's not as comfortable as the standard Evo VI, or as crazed as the RS Sprint. Hard acceleration in second gear is a vivid experience, but throw in a rippled, bumpy surface, cruelly combined with an uphill corner, and the Zero struggles to find traction and composure. It skitters across the bumps where the softer (and admittedly less powerful) Evo VI GSR would simply rocket away.That said, once the Zero hits its stride, the bumps become less of a hindrance to traction. The steering is delicate and pinpoint accurate. It's nicely throttle-adjustable as well, and the active yaw control isn't as detectable as it is on the standard car. The gear throws are longer, but second gear is rarely needed in any corner, with power and torque flowing from 3000rpm all the way to the 7000rpm redline. As a complete all-rounder, perhaps the Zero Fighter is a bit too hard and low to attack difficult, unforgiving roads, but park it next to a standard Evo and you'll know it's the Zero you really want. - by Traian Popescu

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