Mitsubishi Lancer Turbo 4-door Polycarbonate Windows

Before the world knew the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, there was the Lancer 2000 Turbo, a car that gave us a glimpse into Mitsubishi’s high-performance future. Launched in 1980, this four-door saloon took the relatively tame Lancer and turned it into a turbocharged monster, making it one of the earliest turbo sports sedans and a true rally-bred machine.
At the heart of the Lancer Turbo was a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, producing 168 horsepower and 216Nm of torque, serious numbers for its time. It sent power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox, making it an absolute riot to drive. It was lightweight, aggressive, and eager to break traction, especially when the turbo spooled up. This wasn’t a car that held your hand, it demanded skill and rewarded those who could master its boost-happy nature.
Mitsubishi didn’t just build this car for the streets, it was developed with rallying in mind. The Lancer 2000 Turbo was a Group 4 homologation special, designed to take on the likes of the Ford Escort RS and Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. It later competed in the early days of Group B, with legendary drivers like Pentti Airikkala and Andrew Cowan pushing it to its limits on the rally stage. It may not have dominated like later Mitsubishi rally cars, but it proved that Mitsubishi could build a competitive turbocharged machine, a lesson they would take forward into the Evolution era.
On the road, the Lancer Turbo was pure, unfiltered 1980s performance. There were no electronic assists, no luxury features, just raw power, rear-wheel drive, and a stiff, rally-inspired chassis. It was a car built for enthusiasts who wanted excitement over comfort, offering a thrilling, boost-lag-heavy driving experience that made every straight feel short and every corner feel alive.
Visually, it left no doubt about its performance intentions. The flared wheel arches, aggressive front-end styling, deep front spoiler, and bold "Turbo" graphics gave it a proper street presence. It wasn’t trying to be subtle, it was a turbocharged weapon, and it wanted you to know it.
Despite its rally pedigree and unique character, the Lancer Turbo was produced in limited numbers and has become a rare find today. It remains a forgotten but crucial piece of Mitsubishi’s performance history, bridging the gap between their early rally efforts and the all-wheel-drive Evolution dynasty that would follow.
For those lucky enough to experience one today, the Lancer Turbo is a time capsule from an era when turbocharging was still wild, rear-wheel drive ruled the streets, and Mitsubishi was laying the foundation for one of the greatest performance car lineages of all time. It may not have been an Evolution, but without it, the Evo might never have existed.