Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The all-wheel-drive beast that challenges the underdog on Akina's mountain passes.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a rally-bred performance sedan that appears in the 2005 Hong Kong action film Initial D, directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. In the film, two Evolution models are driven by members of the Emperor Team: Seiji Iwaki drives a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR, and team leader Kyoichi Sudo drives a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III RS. These cars serve as antagonists to the protagonist Takumi Fujiwara's Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86. The Evolution's advanced all-wheel-drive system and turbocharged engine make it a formidable opponent on the mountain passes of Akina, representing a shift from the drifting techniques of rear-wheel-drive cars to raw, grip-based speed.

Quick Facts

Primary driver: Kyoichi Sudo (Emperor Team leader, drives Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III RS); S
Team affiliation: Emperor Team

Lore & Background

In the film Initial D, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is the weapon of choice for the Emperor Team, a group of street racers who challenge the local drivers of Mount Akina. Seiji Iwaki drives a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR, which he uses to taunt Takumi and his friend Itsuki. After Iwaki angers Takumi, the two race, and Takumi defeats him, causing Iwaki to spin out and damage the side of his Evo. Later, Emperor Team leader Kyoichi Sudo, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III RS, overtakes Takumi on a downhill run, leading to a race that ends with the AE86's engine breaking down.

Sudo's Evo III is eventually forced off the road by an oncoming car during a race against Takumi and Ryosuke Takahashi, flipping off the cliffside and totaling the car. The Evolution's presence in the story highlights the contrast between its all-wheel-drive grip and the AE86's rear-wheel-drive drifting techniques.

Reader's Guide

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution in Initial D is a prime example of how all-wheel-drive technology can dominate mountain racing. Unlike rear-wheel-drive cars that rely on drifting through corners, the Evolution uses its advanced drivetrain to maintain grip, allowing higher entry speeds and faster exits. Drivers of the Evolution must focus on precise throttle control and braking to avoid understeer, as the car's traction can mask the limits of adhesion until it's too late.

In the film, Kyoichi Sudo's aggressive driving style with his Evo III demonstrates both the strengths and weaknesses of this approach: the car is incredibly fast in a straight line and through corners, but overconfidence can lead to disaster, as seen when Sudo's attempt to overtake results in a crash. For fans of the film, the Evolution represents a formidable opponent that challenges the underdog hero's skill and determination.